Guide to the Blacktown City Council's Diwali Lights Competition, Nirimba Fields, Blacktown, New South Wales, 31 October, 2024

 

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Collection context

Summary

Collection number:
PIC/21441/1-12
Creator:
Williams, Lisa Maree
Language:
English and English
Preferred citation:
Blacktown City Council's Diwali Lights Competition, Nirimba Fields, Blacktown, New South Wales, 31 October 2024 / by Lisa Maree Williams, National Library of Australia, PIC/21441/[item number(s)].
Availability:
Not for loan

Background

Content Summary:

Collection of images documenting Blacktown City Council's Diwali Lights Competition in Nirimba Fields, Blacktown, New South Wales. Images show families posing in front of their homes, decorated with lights and Rangoli artworks, often taking the form of a lotus flower. The annual competition sees residents decorate their homes, lighting up streets with imagery and floral arrangements. $2,500 in cash prizes is offered each year for the best decorated properties across Blacktown City's 5 Wards. 'Best Street' acknowledges neighbours who come together in the spirit of Diwali to create a festive and culture-filled atmosphere in the street they each call home. Each year the street that successfully takes out this title receives a sign erected acknowledging them as the winner of 'Best Street Blacktown City Diwali Lights Competition 2024'.

The ancient Hindu festival of Diwali celebrates the victory of light over darkness, with observers around the world lighting lamps and candles in and around homes and temples. These lights are said to help the goddess Lakshmi - goddess of wealth - find her way to homes and businesses. Adding to the colour are rangoli artworks on the floors of living rooms and courtyards; these are bright patterns (the most popular being a lotus flower) created from coloured sand, petals, flour or dry rice.--Information from Blacktown City Council website, viewed December 2024.

Part of the Indian diaspora in Australia pictures collecting project.

Access and use

Conditions Governing Use:
Conditions for copying and publishing of this collection may apply, please refer to the collections catalogue record for further information (http://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn10081180).
Preferred citation:
Blacktown City Council's Diwali Lights Competition, Nirimba Fields, Blacktown, New South Wales, 31 October 2024 / by Lisa Maree Williams, National Library of Australia, PIC/21441/[item number(s)].
Location of this collection:
Parkes Place
Canberra ACT 2600, Australia
Contact: