Diwali is also known as the Festival of Lights. Photo: Flickr
A round-up of community activities from across the country.
Diwali, Navratri celebrations begin
Don't forget to have some ear plugs handy - Diwali festivities have begun!
On 24 September, Indian community radio organisation Radio Tarana organised the first Diwali event of the season in the South Auckland suburb of Manukau. Political candidates on the campaign trail could be seen enjoying the usual celebration of music, dance and food as they were focusing on the election at that time.
Meanwhile, similar Diwali celebrations have been planned throughout the country. Ashburton organised a Diwali festival on 14 October, with future celebrations planned in Christchurch on 21 October, Queenstown on 28 October, Wellington on 29 October, Invercargill on November 4 and Selwyn in Canterbury on November 11.
Multiple events are planned for Tamaki Makaurau as well. Auckland's North Shore will have a Diwali event on 28 October, followed by the city's largest celebration in Aotea Square on 4 and 5 November.
The Haryana Federation has combined its Diwali and Haryana Foundation Day celebration on 22 October. Haryana is a state in India, neighbouring Punjab, that was created on 1 November in 1966. The community is celebrating the day a bit earlier to take advantage of the weekend.
Meanwhile, commemorations for the nine-day-long Navratri - a Hindu festival celebrating the mother goddess Durga - are ongoing in Auckland and Christchurch, beginning 15 October.
The South Auckland-based Supreme Sikh Society of New Zealand and Sikh Heritage School organised a two-day Sikh Children's Day celebration in Takanini. Photo: Supplied
Sikh Children's Day celebrated in Auckland
The South Auckland-based Supreme Sikh Society of New Zealand and Sikh Heritage School organised their annual two-day Sikh Children's Day celebration on 30 September and 1 October in Takanini.
In its 14th year, the event was attended by almost 1,000 children from Auckland, Christchurch, Hamilton, Hastings and Tauranga, who participated in activities related to music, literature and sports. The participants also sang gurbani kirtan (prayers) and attended a communal meal.
Fiji Day marked in Auckland
The Fiji Girmit Foundation New Zealand celebrated International Day for Older Persons together with Fiji Day on 1 October. The day also marked the official launch of the Fiji Seniors Federation New Zealand.
Fiji Day is marked every year on 10 October. On this date in 1874, Fiji ceded to the United Kingdom. On the same day in 1970, the country gained independence from the United Kingdom.
On 14 December, 1990, the United Nations General Assembly designated 1 October as the International Day of Older Persons. The special day for senior citizens was also marked in Auckland's Mahatma Gandhi Centre by the Auckland Indian Association, Bhartiya Samaj Charitable Trust and Roopa Aur Aap.
Hindi Day was marked on 14 September by the Indian High Commission and Wellington Hindi School in the capital. Photo: Supplied
Hindi Day marked in New Zealand
Hindi Day, or Hindi Diwas as it is called in Hindi, was marked on 14 September by the Indian High Commission and Wellington Hindi School in the capital.
Children who attend the school showcased various cultural programmes promoting the Hindi language. Certificates and medals were distributed to students who have performed well while learning the language.
On this day in 1949, Hindi was adopted as one of the official languages of India, with the first Hindi Day marked in 1953.
Organisations across the country last month celebrated Ganesh Chaturthi, birthday of the Hindu god Ganesh. Photo: Supplied
Celebrating Ganesh's birthday
Organisations across the country last month celebrated Ganesh Chaturthi, birthday of Hindu god Ganesh. These included Sri Radha Krishna Mandir and Auckland Indian Association, the Bay of Plenty Rotorua Indian Association, the Indian Community in Southland, as well as Mumbai Memories and Sri Ganesha Temple in Christchurch.
The 10-day-long celebrations included the recitation of Vedic hymns, prayers in front of clay idols of Ganesh, sweets distribution, and visarjan [immersion in a water body] of the idols culminating the festivities.
The New Zealand Telangana Central Association celebrated Bathukamma. Photo: Supplied
Telangana Association commemorates Bathukamma
The New Zealand Telangana Central Association celebrated the Bathukamma on 7 October.
Bathukamma is a colourful floral festival of the Indian state of Telangana that symbolises the region's culture and identity. Main festivities include the creation of flower stacks mainly by women, which are then arranged into the shape of a temple's gopura (entrance gateway) as a symbol of gratitude to the earth and water for a good harvest.
