Find everything for your Diwali celebrations in Camberwell Junction

Known as the Festival of Lights, Diwali is one of the most important holidays for Hindus, Sikhs and Jains around the world.

The annual festival marks the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil.

The five-day religious celebrations are linked to the legend of Lord Rama, who was exiled from his kingdom for 14 years before defeating the evil spirit Ravana. Diwali celebrates his victory and triumphant homecoming.

Based on the Indian lunar calendar, Diwali usually takes place in October or November each year and coincides with the Hindu New Year. It’s a time for prayer and religious rituals, family gatherings and an auspicious time to start a new business.

This year’s celebrations will begin on the evening of October 29 and conclude on November 3, with the main observance taking place on October 31.

While Diwali is renowned for the feasts and spectacular fireworks displays of Lakshmi Puja, the third day of observances, each of the five days has a different purpose and rituals.

Festivities include lighting diyas (clay oil lamps) and sparklers, decorating homes with colourful rangolis (circle art patterns) and the sharing of gifts and sweets.

Be sure to visit Camberwell Junction to find everything you need for your Diwali celebrations.

Get lights and candles for Diwali

During the festival, people put out light lamps and candles to attract Lakshmi – the goddess of wealth, fortune, fertility and wellbeing – into their homes to grant them blessings and prosperity for the year ahead.

On the first day of Diwali, Dhanteras, tea lights are placed around entryways and balconies to invite good fortune.

Visit Kmart for a wide range of fairy lights, candles, lamps and projectors. Find tea lights, sparklers, matches and lighters at Coles Local or Woolworths, and get speciality candles, which also make great gifts, from one of Camberwell Junction’s gift shops.

Stock up on flowers, fruit and sweets for Diwali

Offerings of flowers, fruits and sweets are made during the worshipping times of Diwali.

On Narak Chaturdashi, the second day of Diwali, family and friends will exchange mithai (sweets). These sweets are often made with dairy, which has religious significance, and will be offered to gods and guests.

It’s also customary to decorate the floors of homes with rangolis, which are intricate patterns made from coloured powder, rice and flowers.

Camberwell Junction’s local florists will have a range of fresh flowers for the occasion and Camberwell Fresh Food Market and Coltivare has plenty of fresh fruit on offer.

For sweets, visit The Chocolate Box, Sweeties Fruit and Nuts and Laurent Patisserie.

Get fresh food for Diwali

Family feasts are enjoyed throughout Diwali but particularly on the fourth day, Govardhan Puja, when food offerings are prepared for puja.

Get all your fresh food from Camberwell Junction’s grocers and supermarkets, or head to Indian speciality grocer Arya Indian Grocery.

For festivities with friends and family, celebrate Diwali with a meal or catering from a local Indian restaurant like Camberwell Curry House and Tandoori Den.

Find gifts for Diwali

The sibling bond is celebrated on the final day of Diwali, known as Bhaiya Dooj.

Traditionally, brothers will visit and bring gifts to their sisters, who honour them with special rituals and mithai.

Friends and family also give each other meaningful keepsakes of appreciation during Diwali. A range of gifts can be found at Camberwell Junction’s gift shops including Paper Republic and Portobello Jewellery, as well as chai and other teas at T2 Tea.

With more than 400 stores, Camberwell Junction has a wide range of items to light up your Diwali festivities.