Fiji is one of the many countries around the globe that celebrated a special Diwali mass to pay respects to the Hindu festival of light. In his homily at the Diwali (also called Deepawali or Deepavali) mass, Archbishop Peter Loy Chong of Suva spoke of the one God. The Catholic Church believes and teaches the Read more
The spirit of Deepawali unites families, friends and neighbours, enabling people to cross boundaries of ethnicity and religion. says the Catholic Archbishop of Suva, Peter Loy Chong. He has sent a message of greeting to “all our Hindu brothers and sisters as you celebrate one of the most important and brightest celebrations, “Deepawali” or “festival Read more
In Fiji, where it is a public holiday (31 October), Diwali gives an opportunity for people of different faiths and communities to come together and live in a spirit of communal harmony. Diwali, a Hindu festival, which signifies the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, knowledge over ignorance and hope over despair, involves followers Read more
Investigations have begun after Auckland Council upset the Hindu community by trying to hold the Auckland Diwali celebrations a month before the actual religious festival. Diwali, the Hindu festival celebrating victory of light over darkness, falls on November 11 this year. However, the council-controlled Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (Ateed) had planned to hold Read more
“May the Transcendent Light illumine your hearts, homes and communities, and may all your celebrations deepen the sense of belonging to one another in your families and neighbourhoods, and so further harmony and happiness, peace and prosperity.” This is the hope expressed by the Vatican Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue as it acknowledges the the Read more
Fiji’s Prime Minister Rear Admiral (Ret) Voreqe Bainimarama officiated at a pre Diwali event at Lautoka on Saturday night and reflected on the significance of the festival of lights. “Most Fijians share a sense of excitement and goodwill about Diwali, no doubt looking forward to a feast of splendid lights, and of course to those Read more
When Diwali was celebrated in Rarotonga, on 3 November, hundreds of people turned up to enjoy Indian food, music dancing and cultural display. New Zealand’s High Commissioner to the Cook Islands Joanna Kempkers and Principal of Tereora College (the National College of the Cook Islands) Bali Haque addressed the Diwali gathering as well as various Read more
In 2013, Diwali, the festival of lights, was celebrated on Nov. 3 by Hindus, Jains and Sikhs. The word Diwali comes from the Sanskrit deepavali, which means a row of lights. The festival of Diwali symbolizes the victory of light over dark, good over evil and knowledge over darkness. Diwali is one of the biggest Read more
The high cost of living has not deterred people spending money on Diwali. Several customers The Fiji Times spoke to said despite the increase in prices of fireworks, milk and other groceries, they were still spending a reasonable amount because they wanted to celebrate Diwali well. “Prices have gone up but we are willing to Read more
Wednesday was a public holiday in Fiji to mark Diwali, “the Festival of Lights” which is celebrated with much fanfare because a significant number of Hindus live there and celebrate the festival with traditional good will and rituals. Such is the euphoria that even the non-Hindu population participate in fun and celebrations related to the festival Read more