15 November 19 November 2023

Saint-André
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Dipavali 2024. Dipavali, also known as diwali or deepavali, commemorates Rama's return to Ayodhya and symbolizes the victory of good over evil. It is also the occasion of a great celebration in Saint-André, in Eastern Reunion.

This event takes place according to the Hindu lunar calendar in which one month equals one orbital period of the Moon.

Dipavali took place from November 15 to 19, 2023. The information below concerns Dipavali 2023. As soon as we have the 2024 program, we will share it.

On the 2023 program

– The Indian Mêla, from 15 to 19 at the Colosse event space: Exhibitions, activities, traditional Indian dances, Foodcourt; 
– The Great Indian Dance Show, November 17 at the Colosse at 18:30 p.m. followed by a pyrotechnic show; – The Grand parade of floats, designed by local and Indian associations, in the city center on Saturday November 18 from 18:00 p.m.; 
– Holi-Holi, Sunday November 19 at Parc du Colosse.

Dipavali 2023, divine representations

In the east of the island, the dipavali is also an opportunity to discover the Tamil Indian culture and traditions of Reunion, also called "malbar", but it is above all an opportunity for this community to pay homage to the goddess Lakshmi, goddess of prosperity.

On the intense island, Reunionese of all origins: Chinese, Tamil, Malagasy, Mahoran, metropolitan, … are brought to discover these cultural diversities which are particularly beautiful, even if sometimes surprising.

In Saint-André, this event is generally marked by a parade of floats which are designed and created by artists from India especially for the occasion, by a grandiose procession of women and young girls in sari and men in sherwani , dancing, playing Indian music throughout the procession, to everyone's delight. Then the indian mela : a market where products (clothing, jewelry, furniture, decorative objects, etc.) coming straight from India mingle, Indian sweet tastings, Indian food stands and finally a large, rich and colorful show where the dance flirts with the music. In conclusion, a beautiful fireworks display! guaranteed change of scenery.

It is endowed with colored powder that closes the deepavali. We are all invited to sprinkle ourselves with Holi (festivity of the festival of colors, one of the oldest in Hinduism) to spread this excess of joy, madness, but also to promote love and peace during this explosion of color.

On Dipavali 2023, Holi holi festival, people have fun with powder colors.

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