Festival celebrates culture (+video)

Indian students at Waiariki Institute of Technology put on a spectacular show celebrating their culture's biggest annual festival.

Yesterday's Diwali festivities featured live music, dance performances and traditional food in Waiariki's student hub.

The crowd roared with applause after each performance and the smell of fragrant Indian cuisine wafted on the air.

Teachers and students alike got into the spirit with many women draped in shimmering, multi-coloured saris.

Diwali also known as Deepavali and the "festival of lights", is an ancient annual Hindu festival.

The festival spiritually signifies the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil, and hope over despair.

Soniya Babu dances at the Diwali celebrations at Waiariki. Photo/Stephen Parker

Shikha Rangi and Harneet Kaur said they felt lucky to be students at Waiariki.

"We have only been in New Zealand for two weeks and it was sad leaving India knowing Diwali was right around the corner; but we are so lucky to come to an institute that celebrates our culture," Ms Rangi said.

Ms Kaur said the festival was like Christmas to them.

"It's a time when everybody comes together and celebrates the festival. We exchange presents and eat lots of Indian sweets, it is wonderful.

"Even though we are far from India it doesn't feel like it because Waiariki does such a good job at creating the same atmosphere."

Waiariki's special projects director Paramdip Singh said the institute had held Diwali celebrations for seven years.

-To see video of the celebrations go to www.dailypost.co.nz.