Te Ahurei Tūrama Diwali

Celebrate Diwali with light, colour, dance, music, clothing, jewellery and delicious Indian food.

On Saturday 28 November Te Manawa (Corner of Hinemoa and Tūtānekai Streets) will come alive with vibrant sounds and sights between 4 pm – 9 pm.

Food stalls will serve traditional vegetarian Indian food and people will be able to buy beautiful sari fabric and jewellery. The stage will showcase beautiful dancing and children can take part in some fun arts and craft activities.

All the ethnicities and cultures are invited to join the festivities. Diwali is a celebration of Rotorua’s ethnic diversity and a chance to enjoy and experience traditional and contemporary Indian culture in its many exciting forms, where people come to enjoy dancing, singing and celebrations.

Diwali is called the Festival of Lights and is celebrated to honour Rama-chandra, the seventh avatar (incarnation of the god Vishnu). It is believed that on this day Rama returned to his people after 14 years of exile during which he fought and won a battle against the demons and the demon king of Lanka, Ravana.