(A video series capturing best moments from the Deepavali Festival in Blacktown, Sydney)
What the festival of lights means to our CulturalPulse team
As homes across Australia light up for Diwali, or Deepavali, the spirit of the Festival of Lights is once again in the air. For millions of Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and others across South Asia and the world, Diwali marks the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and hope over despair. It’s a time for prayers, family reunions, fireworks, sweet sharing, and rituals all rooted in deep tradition and varied across faiths and regions.
In Australia, the festival is increasingly woven into our national cultural calendar. Indian Australians are now one of the fastest-growing communities, with over 780,000 people identifying as having Indian ancestry, and Hinduism growing by over 55% in just five years. Diwali is one of Australia’s most vibrant and widely embraced cultural moments.
To better understand the festival from a personal lens, we spoke with Hemant Khare, a member of our CulturalPulse team who lives in Nashik, Maharashtra, India and brings a rich perspective from his Indian heritage. He shared what the festival means to him and his family.
Hemant and his family setting off fire crackers on Lakshmi Pooja (day 3 – main day of Diwali)
“It’s the happiest time of the year – for family, for food, and for reconnecting.”
“It’s the biggest festival of the year. There’s deep cleaning, shopping, visiting relatives, everyone’s coming home, and there’s joy everywhere.” he says.
A deeper look at the festival’s five days
Like many Indian families, Hemant’s Diwali is celebrated over five days, each with its own meaning and rituals. Like honouring cows, oil baths, and community feasts and the sacred bond between siblings, every day holds special significance.
It all begins with Vasu Baras, a day dedicated to the cow and calf, symbols of nurturing and abundance in Indian culture. Families honour them with prayer, and homes are swept clean and decorated with rangoli (a traditional Indian folk art) at the doorstep.
The following day, Narak Chaturdashi, starts before sunrise with an Abhyang Snan (a traditional oil bath) using utne, an aromatic blend of natural herbs and sandalwood.
“It’s symbolic,” Hemant says, “we wash away negativity, ego, ignorance, sin and come out feeling renewed, ready for the light.”
“On the third day (main day of Diwali), Lakshmi Pooja, we worship Lakshmi (Goddess of wealth) and Ganesha (God of knowledge) with sweets, flowers, and coins. It’s a beautiful tradition. After that, we light diyas, set off fireworks, and share meals and gifts.”
Then comes Balipratipada, a time for new beginnings. Married women honour their husbands with aarti (a small prayer ritual) and apply tilak (a religious symbol) on their foreheads.
The festival concludes on Bhau Beej, a day devoted to the sacred bond between siblings.
“We go to our sister’s home and she prepares an incredible meal such as puran poli (Indian sweet flatbread), basundi (milk based Indian sweet), shrikhand (sweetened Indian yogurt),” Hemant shares. “The meal is served with great love and care.”
For Hemant, the most special moments are simple but deeply rooted in family connection.
“I love lighting diyas, sharing faral (a mix of traditional sweet and savoury snacks) with relatives, and sending fire balloons into the sky.”
From tradition to today
Diwali continues to evolve across generations. Many families like Hemant’s are adapting celebrations in response to environmental and social shifts.
“As kids, it was all about fireworks. Every year we’d try new types of crackers and talk about which ones were the best. But now, with climate change and pollution, we’ve reduced it a lot. We’ve found new ways to celebrate that still feel joyful like sending sky lanterns into the night instead.”
“Each Diwali brings its own nostalgia. I always visit our old home and friends, it brings back memories. And every year, we find a new way to celebrate that still feels true,” he says.
A festival with universal values
So what does Hemant want people unfamiliar with Diwali to know?
“It’s not just about lights and sweets. Diwali teaches us values, to clean and purify ourselves and our surroundings, to start fresh with hope, to honour relationships, and to seek blessings not just for ourselves but for everyone’s wellbeing.”
At CulturalPulse, we see Diwali as a powerful reminder of how cultural traditions shape identity, foster connection, and offer moments of reflection for all Australians, regardless of background.
Diwali offers a moment for reflection, especially for marketers and brands. The way we tell stories matters. Advertising has the power to divide when it leans on stereotypes or overlooks cultural nuance. But it can also bring people together, when it listens, respects, and reflects the richness of multicultural life in Australia.
Shubh Diwali! (Happy Diwali)
(Image taken at the Deepavali Festival in Blacktown, Sydney)
