Harris Park will light up the night, with its annual Diwali festival to kick off this evening on Thursday, November 4.
Diwali, known as the festival of lights, is comparable to Christmas for the Indian community and is a time for families to come together to share sweets and gifts.
Due to COVID uncertainties, large events were unable to be organised for this year’s celebrations, however businesses along Little India’s famed dining strip on Wigram Street will still decorate their shop fronts.
President of the Little India Harris Park Business Association, Sanjay Deshwal, said it was too difficult to organise an event for this year with the uncertain COVID restrictions, but plans to come back bigger and better come next year’s celebrations.
“Due to COVID there will be no big Diwali fair due to crowds and limitations, however we are already planning a Colours of Sub Continent Festival 2021 on November 21, showcasing dances, music, singing and art and crafts,” he said.
“This will be with COVID marshals and will adhere to NSW Health guidelines.
“Hopefully with COVID out of the way next year, we will have a grand Diwali fair with lots of activities and attractions.”
Diwali is a Hindu-originated festival, celebrated by the Indian community and represents good over evil.
In 2017, the business hub in Harris Park was closed to make way for 80,000 revellers who joined together for the biggest public celebration of Diwali in Australia.
Mr Deshwal said lockdown has been hard for businesses in Harris Park but has been heartened to see fantastic support as restrictions are lifted.
“It is delightful to see more people enjoying their time in Little India, with long queues and large numbers of families enjoying food, street food, sweets and clothing,” he said.
Whilst the festival can’t go ahead, businesses will still decorate their stores in fairy lights, which will be displayed over the next four weeks.
Mr Deshwal encouraged the community to come and support the Little India Harris Park businesses who have been impacted significantly during the lockdown.
Troy Dodds is Parra News' Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia’s leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.