Tauranga was treated to a grand display as the popular Diwali Festival made its mark in Tauranga for the first time.
Tauranga was treated to a grand display as the popular Diwali Festival made its mark in Tauranga for the first time at the weekend.
The event is one of the main festivals held in the Indian culture and proved popular with Tauranga residents.
Food and craft stalls lined Tauranga's waterfrontand crowds yahooed, clapped and cheered performances from different cultures who celebrated the Indian festivities ahead of the night's much anticipated lights display.
Image 1 of 11: Out and About at the Tauranga Diwali Festival. (l-r) Gorav Bhikla (4), Dipti Bhikha and Tanisha Bhikha (8). 7 November 2015 Bay of Plenty Times Photograph by Andrew Warner.
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During a sunny Saturday afternoon, dance groups and performers hyped a large crowd before a main stage area as diners in the Wharf St dining precinct watched on.
Preartha Salyan and her husband Balraj went along to the day session and said it was great to see the local communities and acts come together to celebrate their festival.
"I think it's fantastic to see other cultures get involved and get together. The support is definitely there," she said.
Mr Salyan said they had attended the Auckland Diwali festival in the past and he was pleased to see the event had reached the Bay.
The event aimed to reflect the rich Indian heritage in the Western Bay of Plenty.
