DANCE, fashion, food and fireworks entertained a crowd of about 15,000 people who attended the Diwali Mela in Joondalup last Saturday.
The Indian Society of WA hosted the October 15 event at Arena Joondalup, showcasing the ancient Festival of Lights.
In Hinduism, Sikhism and Jainism, Diwali symbolises the triumph of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, good over evil and hope over despair.
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READ NOWCitizenship and Multicultural Interests Minister Mike Nahan said it was important for the 40,000 people of Indian heritage who live in WA, to represent a time for prayer and celebration marked by fireworks, dance and sharing food.
Saturday’s event was the first of two major community events to mark Diwali.
The other, the Swan Festival of Lights, hosted by the Temple of Fine Arts, is at Elizabeth Quay from October 28-30.
Collectively they have received State Government funding totalling $165,000, including $25,000 via the Office of Multicultural Interests, $40,000 from Lotterywest, $25,000 from Healthway and $75,000 from the Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority.
Dr Nahan said Parliament House would also glow orange from October 31 to November 8 to mark the celebrations.
“Diwali is a joyous celebration and one that the whole community can participate in,” he said. “It is also a time for us to reflect on the Indian community’s long and proud participation in the development of WA.”