As the ‘Diya’s’ golden flames flicker into light this weekend, darkness will be ushered away and prosperity will be welcomed in!

Tauranga Diwali Festival is set to be the biggest one yet at The Historic Village on Saturday, October 28.

Brought to life by One Love Charity, event organiser Bela devi dasi Reid is delighted to be bringing the community together again for the festival. 

“Diwali is a unique opportunity to share a piece of beautiful cultural Indian heritage with your Kiwi folks, bring different faiths and backgrounds together to foster cultural understanding, respect and friendships,” says Bela.

“I think we’ll hit the 4500-maybe- 5000-people mark this year!”

The festival will be an abundance of culture and talent, with international and local dance and music performers.

Among them will be dance star Hemvati Bhaumik.

With 23 years’ practice, Hemvati is a professional in Indian classical dance forms of Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi, and runs her own dance school called NRITYANANDA-Dancing Through Devotion. “I travel across the world for my dance performances,” says Hemvati.

A Diya’s light

A significant part of Diwali is the lighting of the ‘Diya’ or lamp. The origins of the Diya go back to the Ramayan pastime in Hindu beliefs and represent good over evil – light over darkness.

“If yesterday wasn’t good and you feel regret, today you can bring the brightness through the Diya,” , says Hemvati.

By lighting Diyas, Bela says “we are making a wish”.

Hemvati Bhaumik will performing at the Diwali festival and is a professional dancer in Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi.

“This wish is usually not something of material nature, it’s something of a special nature of wanting inner fulfilment and prosperity.”

Bela says the festival will also boast “vegetarian street food stalls, Indian clothes and jewellery, Rangoli art to watch and join in, Indian-theme face painting and Diya painting”.

“Diwali is not just limited to Hindu or Indian culture…Diwali is to bring everyone together,” says Hemvati.

“We invite everyone to light the lamp, light the Diya and bring the prosperity.”

Tauranga Diwali Festival is at Historic Village, 17th Ave, from 4pm-9pm this Saturday, October 28.

Enter via koha donation.

See what else is happening in and around Tauranga below:

Art in the Park
Original art for sale. Weather permitting. Coronation Park, Mt Maunganui. 9am - 4pm. Tauranga Society of Artists

Association Croquet
Sat, Mon,Wed at Club Mt Maunganui, 45 Kawaka St. 9.15am for 9.30am start. Visitors & new players welcome. Ph. Malcolm 027 681 5204

Bay Singles Social Group
Join a bunch of over 50's young singles.Weekend dinners, pot lucks, occasional outings. Have a go! Ph Delia 027 284 8762, Andrea 021 133 0313

BOULES - PETANQUE!
TaurangaBOP Club Tawa St. Social + competitive play. Boules available. New players welcome. Phone Ray - 027 756 3565 - for times, further details.

Free Repair Cafe Tauranga
Get your objects fixed for free! Volunteers come together and repair items destined for landfill. 148 Durham st, Tauranga. Last Saturday of month 9.30-11.30am.

Grow On Katikati Shed
Collect vegetable seedlings for your garden (small donation if not a member). Open 9.30-10.30am beside Katikati Community Centre, 45 Beach Road.

St Stephens Jigsaw Library
Every Saturday 10am-12noon. Hire for 2 weeks a variety of 600 puzzles. Please wear a mask. Cnr of Brookfield and Highmore Terrace.

Taijiquan and Qigong
Sat & Wed 9:00 a.m. free Taiji / Qigong group. Kulim Park on beach by big rock. All welcome. Ph Petro 021 751 665

TAURANGA FUCHSIA GROUP
Meet Art/Craft Centre Elizabeth St West last Saturday of month. 1 p.m. Learn how to care for your fuchsias. Pat 021 894455 Noeleen 5784643

Tauranga Senior Citizens Club
Indoor Bowls 14 Norris Street. (behind Pak'n'Save) Come and give it ago. Start 1.45 pm. 1st time free Ph Carol 002 639 2411