Days of the Diwali

Steve Heaton with Chatchumini Mallawa, Shani Mallawa and Jini Mallawa. 146500 Pictures: ROB CAREW

ALL things Indian will descend on Dandenong Market during Diwali celebrations.
Springvale Community Aid and Advice Bureau (SCAAB) is partnering with the market to present free entertainment from 11.30am to 3pm on Sunday 15 November.
Visitors can enjoy a traditional sword dancing performance, a Rangoli artist, festive face painting for kids, turban tying and henna hand art.
Bollydazzlers will dress in dazzling Bollywood costumes and perform to Indian music.
Bhavesh Mahant from Curry and Chaat Corner will join Chef Russell Bald in The Kitchen to share insights into festive cooking.
All Diwali activities and performances are free and will take place in Market Square.
Sundays at the Market include free parking.
Diwali, also known as Deepavali, means ‘a row or series of lights’ and is a time for reflecting, cleansing and celebrating the victory of light over darkness.
A Hindu legend traces Diwali to Lord Rama, a descendant of the Hindu God Vishnu, who returned to his kingdom following 14 years in exile and won a battle against a demon king.
The story told of how people lit up their houses to celebrate his victory.