Diwali Events & Celebrations 2024 New Zealand

click here for Diwali Festival dates, tithi and pooja muhurt (auspicious time for prayers)

Diwali Festivals in New Zealand

Diwali Festivals are very popular across New Zealand. Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch Diwali Festivals are few of 1-2 day long festivals attended by people from all communities and religions.

To add events and information or send us details at connect@indiansinnz.com

Diwali  Celebrations New Zealand 2024

न्यूजीलैन्ड मे दिवाली उत्सव 2024

Diwali or Deepavli Festival is celebrated in all parts of New Zealand and the events are held on different dates. The dates for Diwali celebrations New Zealand are decided as per convenience of majority of people and are usually on nearest Saturday or Sunday. The events in Wellington, Auckland, Christchurch, Tauranga, Palmerston North, Ashburton, Rotorua, Queenstown and Waikato Hamilton are famous ones.

Diwali Celebration New Zealand 2024: Programs

• Sustainable Queenstown Diwali, 9 Nov 2024, Queenstown Events Centre
• Selwyn Diwali – 9 Nov, 4pm to 9pm The Festival of Lights is back and bigger than ever! 🎉 35+ traditional and modern performances, variety of Indian street food, fun – interactive – cultural activities and fireworks. Mark your calendar for Saturday, November 9th 4-9pm at Lincoln Domain and get ready to experience an afternoon and evening full of cultural richness, vibrant performances, and community spirit at the Lincoln Domain. Festival kicks off at 4 pm, formal opening at 4.30 pm, fireworks at 8.45 pm. Key Info: Alcohol-free, family-friendly, rain or shine, free entry. For more information contact Archna Tandon on: Email: archnatandon13@gmail.com or Mobile: 021 032 0915
• Tauranga Diwali Festival, Sat 23 Nov 2024, 3pm, The Historic Village, Tauranga, Bay of Plenty
• Pokeno Diwali Festival, 28 Sep 2024, 6pm at Pokeno Community Hall, 69 Great South Road, Pokeno
• Experience India presents Diwali 2024 at Nelson, 19 Oct 2024, 12pm – 4pm at at Founder Heritage Park, 87 Atawhai Drive, Nelson 7010
• BNZ Auckland Diwali Festival, 19 and 20 Oct 2024, Aotea Square and Queens St, Auckland – FREE ENTRY
• Northshore Auckland Diwali Festival, 26 Oct, 12noon to 9pm
• Auckland Marathi Association Diwali Utsav 2024, 26 Oct, 4pm at Titirangi War Memorial, Titirangi, Auckland
• Wellington Diwali Festival, 27 Oct 2024, 2pm to 9pm, TSB Bank Arena and Shed 6
• Manukau Diwali, 28 Oct 11am to 9pm at Due Drop Centre, 770 Great South Road, Manukau. Fireworks at 9pm
• Hawke’s Bay Diwali, Sun 27 Oct, 5pm to 9pm at Mitre10 Regional Sports Park, Percival Road, Hastings. Gold coin donation entry

About Diwali

Diwali, also known as Deepavali or Deepawali, is celebrated on Kartik Amavasya (कार्तिक अमावस्या). Kartik is name of Hindu month and Amavasya means no-moon day. The celebrations usually start two days prior to Diwali and goes for two days after Diwali day. The festival is of significant importance for all communities and religions in Indian subcontinent; specially Hindu, Sikh, Jainism, Buddhism

The occasion two days before is Dhan Teras (धन तेरस) or Dhanvantari Trayodashi which is considered auspicious to buy precious metal like Gold or Silver. This is a practice followed by  Indian community introduced by the ancestors which was a way of saving for the future.

On Diwali, people meet and greet their extended family, neighbors and friends. They clean and  decorate their house with Rangoli (रंगोली) colorful Diyas (दिया / दिपक), lanterns and lights, to Welcome Mahalaxmi, the Goddess of Wealth and offer prayers. Main prayer is held in the evening and known as Laxmi Puja (लक्ष्मी पूजा) offering prayers to the Goddess of Wealth. Another is Chopda Puja (चोपडा पूजा) where business community pray for better Business for the coming year and worship the Account Books. ‘ Chopda’ means books of accounts. Bandi Chhor Divas (ਬੰਦੀ ਛੋੜ ਦਿਵਸ / बंदी छोड दिवस / Day of liberation) is celebrated with Diwali. It is day to mark return of Guru Hargobind Ji (श्री गुरू हरगोबिन्द जी)

Next day of Diwali is celebrated as Goverdhan Puja (गोवर्धन पूजा) and Annakut (अन्नकूट) and also as the new year in Gujarat. This day community prays to Lord Krishna and prepare variety of feast at home.

Third day of Diwali is celebrated as Bhai Dooj (भाई दूज) which is celebrated by brothers and sisters. The sisters pray for long life and happiness of their brothers and in return brothers gift their sisters. The Marathi language translation of this festival is Bhau Beej (भाऊ बीज).

Diwali in Indian subcontinent is also time when activities related to sowing of new crop starts.

Have a blessed and prosperous Diwali and new year. शुभ दिपावली