Lincoln, NZ – The Selwyn Diwali Festival brought Lincoln Domain to life on Saturday night, drawing a crowd of over 10,000 to celebrate the traditional ‘Festival of Lights.’ Organised by Archna Tandon and Surinder Tandon, Canterbury Indian Women Group and Bhartiya Samaj Canterbury, the vibrant event featured cultural performances, culinary delights, and a show-stopping fireworks display.
The evening was a culmination of five months of meticulous planning, resulting in a successful celebration that highlighted both Indian heritage and New Zealand’s multicultural diversity. Attendees enjoyed a diverse lineup of entertainment, including nearly 40 performances by over 250 participants, spanning classical Indian dance, folk routines, Kapa Haka, contemporary Bollywood, and a lively fashion show. Performers ranged from small children to adults, each adding to the event’s energy and spirit.
The festival was supported by sponsors, including major sponsor Generation Homes Canterbury, as well as Zealand Immigration, Mayank Sood Mortgage Adviser, Anshul Gupta from Harcourts, Kartik Batra of Avon City Mahindra, and funders such as Selwyn District Council and the Ministry of Ethnic Communities, Rata Foundation and Lottery Grants.
Photo: Supplied
Esteemed guests, including Selwyn Mayor Sam Broughton, Deputy Mayor Malcolm Lyall, MPs Dr Hamish Campbell, Dr Duncan Webb, Laura Trask, Canterbury Rural Commander Inspector Peter Cooper, and Community Board Member Shirish Paranjape, opened the event with a diya-lighting ceremony and shared their Diwali greetings.
In addition to the performances, the event hosted 50 stalls offering arts, crafts, activities, and diverse culinary experiences, giving festival-goers a taste of India and beyond. Attendees savoured the vibrant atmosphere, immersed in a celebration of community and cultural diversity.
Photo: Supplied
“The Indian community in Selwyn is proud to present an event that showcases the incredible diversity of our culture through art, music, dance, and food,” said Archna Tandon, Chair of Canterbury Indian Women Group. “It’s a joy to share this with the wider community, and we are grateful for the enthusiastic support from Selwyn. This festival has grown tremendously over the years, and we can’t wait to celebrate again next year.”
With an enthusiastic turnout and an impressive range of offerings, the Selwyn Diwali Festival has once again solidified its place as a cherished annual event for the community.