Cape Town Diwali Festival

Prepare for a colourful, vibrant Hindu Festival of Lights celebration in Green Point Urban Park!

The traditional festival of Diwali (also known as Deepavali) is one of the brightest occasions on the Hindu calendar, and in the Mother City, the dazzling extravaganza comes to life on the lush lawns at the Green Point Urban Park on Saturday, 18 October 2014.

Started in 2009 and previously hosted at Ratanga Junction, the Cape Town Diwali Festival took a brief hiatus during 2013, but returns to the Mother City calendar this year to celebrate the victory of light over darkness at its new home at this inner-city greenway. With a line-up chock-full of entertainment, this annual affair promises to be bigger, better and brighter than before, boasting the vibrancy and opulence synonymous with Bollywood blockbusters and perhaps even appealing to non-Hindus who’d be interested in experiencing Indian culture at its finest.

The festivities kick off with a traditional opening ceremony, which is followed by a musical performance by the Afternoon Ragas (a fusion of sitar, saxophone and tabla). Though, the highlight of this one-day celebration has to be the Showcase Stage production (it will start at about 4pm), which will take audiences on a spectacular journey through annals of Hindu history and culture to tell the story of Diwali through song, dance and more. What’s more, festival-goers can also look forward to some banging Bollywood beats later in the evening at the much-anticipated Bhangra Bash (Indian dance party) featuring the Bhangra Knights.

There will also be a wide variety of delectable and authentic Indian treats (not often available in the Cape) at the Eastern Food Market, and visitors can take a tantalising tasting trip along India’s spice route (not recommended for those with delicate constitutions).

And, of course, this show-stopping event will also feature an Oriental Bazaar complete with Bollywood-esque decadence. Browse stalls chock-full of gorgeous and delicate fabrics, clothing, jewellery and even a selection of imported spices.

Not forgetting the little ones, the festival grounds will have a Kids Culture Land, which will host a number of fun games and activities, like diya (lamp) colouring competitions and face painting, to keep those precious bundles busy and entertained.

While this religious celebration is one of the most important festivals on the Hindu calendar, it’s not exclusively for followers of the faith, and Cape Town dwellers from all walks of life are invited to experience and share in the joy of this celebration.

In short, this colourful and magical shindig is sure to be a must-do event.

TICKETS TO THE 2014 CAPE TOWN DIWALI FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS

Tickets to the festival are available online via Webtickets.co.za as well as at the gate on the day and costs are as follows:

MORE ABOUT THE HINDU FESTIVAL OF DIWALI

A contraction of Deepavali, Diwali means ‘row of lamps’ in Sanskrit and is a celebration of the victory of light over darkness, hope over despair, knowledge over ignorance and good over evil. While the festival typically runs across a five-day period, the main night of the fiesta is held on the eve of the darkest, new moon night of the Hindu Lunisolar month Kartik, which falls between mid-October and mid-November in the Gregorian calendar. Traditionally, small clay lamps with oil are lit to commemorate the return of Lord Rama, his wife Sita and his brother Lakshmana, victors over the demon-king Ravana, and firecrackers are also set alight to ward off evil spirits.

Hindus around the world celebrate the triumph of light over darkness by donning new outfits and exchanging sweet baked goods and sweetmeats. Regardless of your religious persuasion though, the Festival of Lights promotes the ideals of family, friends and sharing, and this festival is the perfect way to relax with the whole clan.

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Have a squiz at our guide to annual October events to find out about more hot happenings taking place during the month.
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