Resize
The lighting of lamps at this ancient Hindu festival symbolises the triumph of light over darkness and the renewal of life.
The Wellington festival takes place in October each year.
Diwali showcases contemporary and traditional Indian music and dancing, food and crafts, exhibitions and workshops, and children's activities.
Past activities and workshops have included sari tying, rangoli (traditional decorative designs made on floors or courtyards) and Indian games.
Diwali in 2012
Diwali 2012 was held on Sunday 21 October.
Highlights of this year's festival were a group of Indian performers from the Rangashree School of Fine arts in Ahmedabad performing popular and little-known folk dances from the Gujarat state in western India.
For more information about the Rangashree dance troupe:
Rangashree School of Fine Arts Dance Troupe - asia:nzonline
Other highlights of this year's festival included Mugdha Brid, who combined with Wellington's Jyoti Gosavi to create colourful and intricate rangoli - elaborate floor designs made from coloured grains, spices and sand, in patterns or in images of deities.
Diwali also featured craft stalls and a photo exhibition of life in Bangalore. Fireworks at 9.55pm closed the festival. For the full programme, see:
Programme of Events (23KB PDF)
Diwali is organised by the Asia New Zealand Foundation in partnership with Wellington City Council.
More information
John Saunders
Asia New Zealand Foundation