Hundreds said namaste to a mini-India at Founders Heritage Park on Sunday for the city’s Diwali festivities, which celebrated light over darkness.
Hosted by Experience India, resplendent stage shows and energetic Bollywood music fixated audiences and authentic Indian cuisine and rangoli (traditional Indian floor drawings) were enviable.
Spokesperson Anjali Puri says the event was “positive” and was even impressed with non-Indians dressed in traditional garb.
“In India, we will be celebrating actual Diwali on 29 October, but because everyone is busy with their own families and houses, we are celebrating one week before,” she says.
“We are trying to build a relationship between Indian and Kiwi culture, and I like the fact that everyone embraced the culture.
“It’s all about positivity, rather than people thinking like, we are losing jobs or ‘this’ is happening in the world.
“These five hours matter because you went out, you enjoyed the food, you enjoyed the vibe, you enjoyed the music, and that’s it.”
