Multicultural St George loves a festival and will turn out in large numbers to enjoy celebrations put on by the Chinese community, Greeks, Macedonians and anyone else prepared to put on a show.
Today, (October 22) it was the turn of the Indian community and the celebration of Diwali, the Festival of Lights.
Kingsgrove Community Aid Centre, which runs a many programs for seniors, was choc-a-block with its clients — Australian, Arabic, Lebanese, Asian, Indian to name a few — along with politicians, priests and Kogarah and Hurstville councillors.
They got to learn about this popular five-day festival, enjoy Bollywood dancing, eat tasty vegetarian food and light small candles to the goddess of wealth.
Hindu priest, Pundit Paras Ram Maharaj began the official blessing by saying that Indians were Australian first and Indian second, and how honoured they were to see their Australian friends joining in for this ‘‘auspicious festival’’.
Mr Maharaj said the diwalis, the small candles in a clay pot, represented souls who were exhausting their energy for others — the victory of light and knowledge over spiritual darkness.
‘The message of Diwali is that we need to be living for others — creating light and happiness for others,’’ he said.
Vishnu’s consort, the goddess Lakshmi, who symbolises wealth and prosperity, is worshipped on Diwali, hence making a wish when lighting a candle.
‘‘Australia is a beautiful nation because we can celebrate everyone’s festival together,’’ Mr Maharaj said.
Although councillors and politicians said nice things, Labor candidate for Kogarah, Chris Minns, connected Diwali to contemporary Australia and the recent death of Gough Whitlam.
He said Mr Whitlam epitomised the spirit of Diwali because he was the father of Australian multiculturalism, brought in the Racial Discrimination Act and believed in a harmonious multicultural society.
Do you celebrate Diwali or tell us what your favourite festival is?
