Blacktown City’ s increasingly popular Diwali Lights Competition is back for 2025, with residents once again encouraged to light up their homes to celebrate the vibrant Hindu festival of lights. Blacktown City is proudly home to many residents from South Asian communities, and the Festival of Diwali holds a special place in these communities. The celebration has become part of the fabric of Blacktown City, with lights, colour and culture shining across our suburbs.

More than $ 2,500 in cash prizes is on offer for the best decorated properties across Blacktown City’ s five wards.

Competition categories- prizes will again be awarded for:

• Best Street – recognising neighbours who work together to create a festive, culture-filled atmosphere. To be eligible, a minimum of three decorated properties must be entered from the same street. The winning street will also receive a permanent sign

acknowledging their title.

• Best Rangoli – celebrating the colourful artworks made from sand, flower petals, flour or rice. Best Rangoli will be judged between Sunday 19 October and Tuesday 21 October, from 8pm to 11pm, and is open only to properties that advance through to the final round of judging.

Judging will be based on the overall appeal of decorations visible from the front of each property. Please note that Christmas decorations will not be considered in this competition

The history and significance of Diwali Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is one of the most important and widely celebrated festivals in India and across the world. The term“ Deepavali” comes from the Sanskrit words deepa( lamp) and avali( row), meaning“ a row of lights.” Its origins date back more than 2,500 years and are deeply rooted in Hindu mythology, while also

being observed by Jain, Sikh, and some Buddhist communities.

In Hindu tradition, Diwali marks the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. The most well-known legend is the return of Lord Rama, his wife Sita, and brother Lakshmana to Ayodhya after 14 years in exile, culminating in the defeat of the demon king Ravana. To welcome them home, the people of Ayodhya lit thousands of oil lamps, a practice that continues today in homes and temples worldwide.

For Jains, Diwali commemorates the spiritual enlightenment of Lord Mahavira, while for Sikhs, it marks the release of Guru Hargobind Ji and 52 princes from imprisonment in 1619. This rich tapestry of stories and traditions highlights Diwali’ s universal themes of hope, renewal, and unity.

Traditionally, families prepare by cleaning and decorating their homes, exchanging gifts and sweets, creating

rangoli artworks, and lighting diyas( lamps) to invite blessings from Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity. Fireworks and community gatherings also form a lively part of the celebration.

In Blacktown, residents of all backgrounds are encouraged to join in the celebration by decorating their homes with lights and entering the competition. Beyond the prizes, the Diwali Lights Competition fosters community spirit, cultural appreciation, and joy across the city’ s neighbourhoods

Key dates

• Preliminary judging: Wednesday 15 and Thursday 16 October, between 8pm and 11pm

• Final round judging: Sunday 19 October, between 8pm and 11pm

For more information or to enter, visit: Blacktown City Council – Diwali Lights Competition www. blacktown. nsw. gov. au / Community / Awards-scholarships-andcompetitions / Diwali-Lights-Competition