Hindu Organizations, Temples, and Associations (HOTA Forum NZ) are jointly reaching out to all commercial organisations and Indian and Hindu/Sanatan Dharma communities across Aotearoa New Zealand with a heartfelt appeal as we prepare for this year’s Deepawali (commonly known as Diwali) celebrations.

Deepawali is not just another festival. It is a festival of universal significance, celebrated with joy across many countries and cultures. It is one of the most sacred occasions in the Hindu calendar — a celebration that symbolises the eternal triumph of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and dharma over adharma. Traditionally, it is a time for prayer, reflection, family unity, and the renewal of commitment to righteous living.

In recent years, however, some community and commercial events have begun to drift away from this essence. Increasingly, Deepawali has been treated as a generic cultural or social gathering, overshadowed by commercialisation and practices inconsistent with its sanctity.

“We are deeply concerned that the true spirit of Deepawali is being diluted,” said Manish Kaushik, spokesperson for HOTA Forum NZ in Wellington. “This is not merely a cultural festival — it is a sacred celebration of our dharma. Our collective gatherings must observe Deepawali in its true spirit — reflect devotion, purity, and dignity, not indulgence.”

The Forum has noted that some government agencies, local councils, and commercial organisations — often with good intentions — host “Diwali functions” that inadvertently misrepresent the festival. These events sometimes include meat, alcohol, or a party-like atmosphere, which directly contradict the sacred nature of Deepawali.

“We understand these efforts are often meant to engage with the Indian/Hindu community, but when done without cultural understanding, they risk alienating rather than including,” said Vijeshni Rattan, President of Hindu Council of New Zealand (Wellington chapter). “Instead of fostering goodwill, they may unintentionally cause hurt and even lose the very community support they seek.”

To support greater awareness, the Hindu Council of New Zealand produced a brochure in 2010 titled Celebrating Deepawali Festival – A Guide for Official Functions. It was endorsed by the Race Relations Commissioner and shared on the New Zealand Human Rights Commission website at that time. In light of current trends, the HOTA Forum believes it is timely to update and reissue this guide for distribution to community groups, commercial organisations, and government agencies.

Importantly, the HOTA Forum emphasises that it is not opposed to the personal choices of individuals regarding meat or alcohol in their private lives. The appeal is simply that such elements should not be linked to Deepawali events, which are meant to uphold sacred values.

“Deepawali is an occasion to teach our children that it is not about consumption or entertainment,” said Minaben Bhagwandas of Gayatri Pariwar. “It is about devotion, discipline, unity, and respect for the eternal values that hold our community together.”

The organisations making this appeal stress that community-level Deepawali celebrations should remain free from meat and alcohol and should reflect the spiritual essence of the festival. By doing so, the celebrations will not only retain their sacred meaning but will also serve as an example of cultural integrity and dignity for future generations.

Among those making this united appeal are:

• Hindu Council of New Zealand
• Gayatri Pariwar
• GOPIO Wellington
• Devbhoomi Charitable Trust
• Sri Saraswati Bhajan Mandali
• Prem Sankirtan Group
• Hindu Heritage Association

“By coming together in this way, we can celebrate Deepawali with dignity, purity, and in its true spirit,” the organisations said in a joint statement. “Let us ensure that we pass on to future generations the light of dharma, not the shadows of distraction.”

The HOTA Forum NZ calls on all communities, event organisers, and agencies across New Zealand to join in this effort to preserve the sanctity of Deepawali — ensuring that the festival continues to inspire pride, reverence, and belonging for every generation.

Guideline for celebrating Diwali in an authentic way

Are you planning to celebrate a public, workplace or quiet Diwali function? Then below is a guide on how to celebrate it in an authentic spirit and a culturally appropriate way.

Diwali is an especially pious and spiritual festival. It is customary to start off the celebrations by lighting a diya (oil lamp) without wearing any footwear. Once the lamp is lit, the space is sanctified. Lights, candles and more diya can be lit to create further atmosphere.

The pious spirit of Diwali is best honoured in a tobacco-free, alcohol-free environment where only vegetarian food (no poultry, fish or meat) is served.

Sharing sweets at the celebration is generally a good idea. It is to be noted that the sweets served should also be vegetarian.

Wearing ethnic dress is welcome to make the celebration vibrant and colourful.

“Happy Diwali” is the most common greeting that is exchanged or the Hindi “Shubh Deepawali”.

Make the Festival of Lights very special for everyone attending your celebration.

The Festival of Lights

In an increasingly culturally diverse Aotearoa, organisations and communities now celebrate multicultural festivals. Diwali is one of them. It is the biggest and brightest of all Hindu festivals and is widely celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and Buddhists.

The Meaning of Deepawali

Deepawali is a Sanskrit word composed of 2 roots. Deep meaning light and -awali meaning rows. The word is often contracted to “Diwali”. During the five day festival, rows of small diya are traditionally lit and placed in and around houses giving Diwali its description of “The Festival of Lights”.

The Diwali festival

Diwali symbolises the light of knowledge that destroys ignorance. In Hindu Dharma, removing ignorance is the primary goal of life. Diwali is marked by five days of celebration. Each of the five days of festivities denotes a different philosophy and tradition with the common theme of reverence towards goodness in the natural order and celebration of life.

Origins of Diwali

Diwali is the celebration of victory of good (dharma) over evil (adharma) and the reign of the ideal king Lord Ram. It marks the day Lord Ram returned to Ayodhya after defeating tyrannical king Ravan. It also marks the day Lord Krishna defeated Narkasur and rescued 16,000 women from his captivity.

The day also marks the incarnation of Lakshmi, the goddess of peace and prosperity. Hence, the association of Diwali with the worship of Lakshmi.

The Fabulous Five Days of Diwali

• Dhan Teras

The ‘festival of wealth’ (Dhan = prosperity, Teras = thirteenth day) is celebrated on the thirteenth day of the fortnight of waning moon in the Hindu month of Karthik (October -November). This day marks the arrival of Dhanvantri, (god of wellbeing) that brings good mental and physical health and, therefore, prosperity and wealth.

• Chhoti Diwali/ Kali Chaudas

Chhoti (mini) Diwali, also called Narak Chaturdashi, is celebrated on the eve of Diwali. The demonic Narakasur was slain on this day by Lord Krishna.

Diwali commemorates that auspicious day on which the triumphant Lord Ram returned to Ayodhya. The day symbolises the victory of good over evil. It is also the day Lakshmi (goddess of prosperity) and Ganesh (bestower of wisdom and remover of obstacles) is prayed to for a healthy, wise and prosperous year ahead.

• Govardhan Pooja/Annakoot

This commemorates Lord Krishna’s reverence to the environment that sustained their livelihood – Govardhan Mountain. It is a day to express gratitude to the natural resources for the sustenance they provide us. It is also the New Year for some Bharatiya communities.

• Bhai Dooj

Bhai Dooj is a celebration of the bond of love between brothers and sisters.

(This Press Release has been published as received)