The South African Hindu Maha Sabha will hold its Durban Diwali Festival at the Suncoast parking site from Friday until Sunday, the Post reported.
Entry costs R20 per person, and parking is available. The event is recognised as the largest Diwali festival on the African continent, according to the Post.
The festival now goes beyond music and dance. It also promotes Hindu culture, spirituality, community upliftment and social responsibility, the report said.
Doors open at 2pm on Friday with dance, live bands and performances. The KPSM School of Music, KanthaRuby Dance Academy, Rohan Ramkisson and Vishen Kemraj are on the programme. Chutney group Dostana Nagara will perform at 8pm.
On Saturday, the sabha and representatives of other faith groups will lead a walk against gender-based violence. It will start at 8.30am along the Suncoast promenade. Registration takes place on Friday between 6pm and 8pm.
The walk aims to honour people who lost their lives to gender-based violence and to turn public concern into action. Organisers have asked people from all communities to take part. They also want participants to support survivors and challenge victim-blaming.
The main stage will host speakers, cultural performances, music and interfaith contributions throughout Saturday. Udav Banwari, Ashlyn Govender and Vishwa Shakti will perform. Preba Iyavoo, known for her character “Just Another Akka”, and Professor Ashwin Desai will appear in the afternoon.
The formal opening ceremony is set for 7pm on Saturday. The Incredible India fireworks display will follow at 8.15pm, and Shiv Shuffler will also perform that evening.
An on-site mandir will stay open for the whole festival. Visitors can offer a lamp for the month of Karthik, in association with the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. The Shree Sanathan Dharma Sabha of South Africa will conduct Sundarkand recitals there on Saturday afternoon.
Sunday will begin with a hawan ceremony led by gurus from different Indian linguistic groups. The Andhra Maha Sabha, the Devasthanum Foundation and the Tamil Vedic Society will perform devotional bhajan music. The South African Raam Bhajan Association’s Bhajan Festival will follow.
Visitors can buy Indian street food and fast food at the on-site food festival. Late-night shopping and a fun fair for children will also run, and Hindvani will broadcast live from the grounds.
Prizes on offer include a One Stop Travel Shivaratri tour to India for two and a weekend getaway for two. There is also an MSC Cruises voucher, two return Emirates air tickets to India and an ocean-view cabin for two on Star Events’ Bhangra Boat.
Netflix will launch the movie How to Ruin Diwali from the festival site. Visitors will be able to meet members of the cast at the Netflix stand.
The sabha can be reached on 031 309 1951, and Neeran Besesar can be contacted on 082 788 5767 for more information.
Source: this article is based on reporting by Post. Image: Post. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice Entertainment desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Rirhandzu Baloyi writes about entertainment for Tzaneen Voice. Rirhandzu covers South African music, film, TV, streaming, awards and celebrity news, from amapiano and local soapies to Showmax and Netflix releases. Stories stick to what happened, who was involved and when fans can watch or listen.