This is a transcript from World News Australia Radio.
The festival of lights - or Diwali - is a national holiday in India - and in other countries which have large Hindu populations.
As Zara Zaher reports, it's also celebrated in style in communities across Australia.
The annual Diwali festival involves the illumination of homes with lights and skies with firecrackers expressing a time of joy and celebration.
The festival commemorates heroic figures in Indian mythology who triumphed over the forces of evil.
Diwali is considered as an auspicious time for new endeavours and many people clean their houses and open their doors and windows to invite in good fortune.
The President of the Indian Society of Western Australia, Mahesh Singh, says Diwali reflects the multiculturalism of Australia as people from various backgrounds take part in the celebrations.
"In Western Australia we will have a Diwali fair. We have food stalls, other Indian materials on display. We also put up entertainment and people usually come dressed in Indian clothes. Especially this year, we have organized a group to come from India. Some African Indians who migrated to India some eight centuries ago. They will do performances which is a fusion of some old African and Indian influence both in terms of dance and music."
Diwali is actually a Hindu festival.
But the President of the Federation of Indian Associations of Victoria, Vasan Srinivasan says it's now celebrated by people of other religions as well.
And he says the Diwali celebrations in Victoria will reflect the growing relations between Indians and Australians.
"Diwali is celebrated by each and everyone in India, doesn't matter what religion you belong to, doesn't matter which caste you belong to. Currently in Victoria we are the second largest growing community so there are a number of celebrations all around in Victoria. It brings families together.
This is like Christmas for Indians. I have seen more Diwali celebrations in Victoria than where I come from in Chennai. Victoria is very famous for multiculturalism. I think this brings bondage between Indians and Victorians."
The Victorian government has allocated $50,000 to support the Diwali celebrations at Melbourne's Federation Square on November 10.
The event attracts thousands of visitors, with activities including Bollywood performances, Indian cuisine, fashion and henna hand painting.
Victoria's Multicultural Affairs Minister Nicholas Kotsiras says the celebration of Diwali this year is even more significant because it will coincide with White Ribbon Day, aimed at preventing violence against women.
"Now I expect every person to be at Federation Square for the Diwali festival. This is important, apart from having fun and the colour and the music and the food, this is about sending a very strong message about violence against women.
And I would love to see Federation Square filled with the community to say enough is enough, this has to stop and we don't support anyone who takes this type of action. And I'm calling upon the support of the Indian community as a whole to come down to Federation Square and support this wonderful event."
