While living in the Middle East, Narender Kumar and his family celebrated Diwali with other Indian expats.

In Australia, he says, it’s different. “You get to share your feelings, excitement and your joy with much wider cultures and nationalities,” he says.

This year Kumar and his wife, Sarita Khawas, who migrated to Australia from Saudia Arabia last year with their two children, are celebrating Diwali in their new home in Box Hill, in Melbourne’s east.

Diwali – the festival of lights – is one of the Hindu calendar’s biggest celebrations (though Sikhs, Jains and some Buddhists celebrate it too). The festival hails the triumph of light over dark and goodness prevailing over evil.

The third day of the five-day festival is the climax of celebrations. It honours Lakshmi – the Hindu goddes

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