About 3500 people streamed into the Edgar Centre yesterday afternoon to celebrate Diwali, or the Festival of Lights, which traditionally marks the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness.
The event was organised by the Dunedin Indian Association and president Dr Rohit Jain said the celebrations had a "really good vibe".
"It’s really good fun," he said.
There was a focus on interaction and activities such as traditional dance and cultural workshops, which included the lezim (a traditional Indian folk dance) and bhangra (a high-energy Punjabi folk dance).
A stall offering free temporary henna art was popular and food stalls were sold out.
Different styles of food, dance and dress from India’s 28 states were on show.
Local dance groups performed an array of styles, including classical Indian dance and Bollywood routines.
Dr Jain said he was pleased to see people of all ethnic backgrounds enjoying the festival.
"It’s not only Indians, because Indians know what they know," he said.
"We want to showcase that culture."
He estimated 3500 people were present across the afternoon, surpassing last year’s audience of about 2000.
Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is celebrated annually by hundreds of millions of people worldwide.
The festival was able to offer free entry due to significant community backing, including major sponsors The Rout Group and Swift Mortgages, along with local funding bodies the Dunedin City Council, the Ethnic Communities Development Fund and Otago Community Trust.
India has a majority Hindu population, but Diwali is also celebrated by other major religions, each for different reasons.
Hindus celebrate the return of the deity Lord Rama, his brother Lakshmana and his wife Sita from a 14-year exile, emerging victorious from being captured by the demon king Ravana.
For Jains, Diwali is celebrated as the day Lord Mahavir, the last Tirthankara, or ford-maker, attained nirvana, signifying the attainment of complete knowledge and enlightenment.
For Sikhs, it commemorates the release of Guru Hargobind and 52 other princes from imprisonment by Emperor Jahangir, symbolising the triumph of freedom and justice.
