For the fifth year in a row, the iconic sails of the Sydney Opera House turned gold to mark the most widely celebrated Hindu festival, Diwali.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for Multiculturalism Ray Williams hosted a community reception at the Museum of Contemporary Art on Tuesday evening to celebrate the occasion which was attended by Consul General of India in Sydney Mr B. Vanlalvawna, Dr GK Harinath, the chair of Multicultural NSW and many other dignitaries from the Indian community.
Premier of NSW Gladys Berejiklian said, “I think the lighting of the Opera House tonight demonstrates not just what a significant festival Diwali is but how much New South Wales, Australia, India, South Asia – all the subcontinental nations feel about one another.
(From Left to Right) Consul General of India in Sydney Mr B. Vanlalvawna, NSW Minister for Multiculturalism Ray Williams, Dr GK Harinath, the chair of Multicultural NSW and NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian. Source: Supplied
“It is a festival that describes all that is positive in the world, the virtues of life over darkness, good over evil and as human beings, let us aspire to make sure the goodness and the light always triumphs.
“The deep meaningfulness of Diwali are things that all of us can appreciate, no matter what our cultural background, no matter which part of the world we are from, our ancestry is,” she said on the occasion.
Diwali or Deepavali ‘the festival of lights’ is celebrated by the vast Hindu population living in Australia.
Indian Family celebrating Diwali festival with fire crackers Source: iStockphoto
Traditionally, families celebrating the event decorate their houses with lights and ‘Diyas’ (lamps or candles), representing the victory of good over evil, or light over darkness.
READ MORE
Prime Minister's message on Diwali
Friends and families come together for meals and celebrate the festival over a period of five days, each day signifying a different meaning.
It is also an auspicious time to buy cars, homes and jewellery as the festival celebrates Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth.
