Westend Sports Stadium played host to the festivities, which included traditional Indian dances, prayer services, fireworks and games, as well as live dancing and music fro the Melbourne-based group.

People from Riverina, New South Wales, and other parts of Australia participated, dancing the night away in their traditional attires and paying tributes to the Goddess Laxmi with traditional dance.

The guests danced along with the traditional Indian Gujarati folk dance styles to the tunes of Indian choir blended with mainstream Folk Music traditions, including three hours of  “Raas/Garba” music performed by Nissad Music Group Melbourne.

Organiser Satish Patel was extremely proud of this years event, saying the numbers exceeded the turn out from previous years.

“We had around one thousand people come to celebrate with us at Westend Stadium, and it was definitely the biggest celebration we have seen over the years,” Mr Patel said.

Deputy Mayor Dino Zappacosta and Councillor Christine Stead attended the celebrations, and were blown away with this year’s event.

“It was wonderful, absolutely delightful, it was s such a pleasure to see so many celebrating in the Diwali festival,” Cr Zappacosta said.

“Visitors came from quite a large area, and the lovely, warm friendship and courtesy extended to myself and Councillor stead was absolutely outstanding.”

Cr Zappacosta has been to several festivals over the years, and was impressed with this year’s spectacular celebrations.

“I went along as deputy mayor, and it was my pleasure to be there representing the council and the people of Griffith.”

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Mr Patel said it was great to see such a diverse crowd.

“People came from Perth, Melbourne, Sydney, and some of the visitors from India also. it all went off without a hitch.”

“It was excellent! All people from  different cultural backgrounds came, with lots of local Australian’s celebrating as well.”

Now in its sixth year, Griffith’s annual Diwali event marks the end of the five-day celebration also known as the festival of lights. 

“It is a festival of celebrations such as lights, crackers, cleanliness, colourful rangoli making, social gatherings to exchange greetings and sharing sweets with your loved ones,” Mr Patel said.

Mr Patel said has already received a lot of interest for next years Diwali celebrations in Griffith.