This year again a very successful Deepavali celebrations were held at the Sydney Olympic Park Athletic Centre on Saturday, the 23rd October 2005. After a week of rainy days it turned out to be a very nice sunny day for people to enjoy the variety of cultural activities and the delicious Indian food from various regions of India.
The program started with the Havan chants and Pooja, followed by Bhajans. The crowd built up after 3 pm . It is estimated that more than 20,000 people came to enjoy the perfect day. Lots of people of other nationalities were seen enjoying themselves with the tasty Indian food and the catching beats of the Indian Bollywood dancing music. Some of the performers were young girls of European appearance dressed up in bright Indian silk dresses.
One of the attractions of the Deepavali fair is the burning of the effigy of the Demon King Ravana followed by Fireworks display. This year the young students of the Bal Bharati Hindi School took part in decorating the Ravan's effigy. The program finished around 8:30 pm with a fantastic firework display.
Deepavali at the Federal Parliament House in Canberra
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Deepavali celebration at the Federal Parliament House in Canberra was held in the Great Hall on 6th November 2005. A number of federal Parliamentarians and Senators attended the function. Among the chief guests were Hon. Senator Gary Humpheries, representing the Prime Minister, John Howard, Hon. John Cobb, Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, Hon. Laurie Ferguson MP representing the Leader of the Opposition, and the Indian High Commissioner, His Excellency Mr. Prabhat Shukla. The high lights of the programme included the traditional Rajasthani dances performed by the Dance troupe specially flown from India, courtesy of the Indian High Commission and the Fire works outside the Parliament House. Click here for the Press Release issued by the Hon. Minister John Cobb on the occasion. |
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