Diwali moves from Canberra homes to supermarket shelves as Indian community
Coles, Costco and Woollies now carry Diwali products as the festival becomes mainstream in Australia's capital.
Diwali decorations are lighting up Canberra homes. Now the capital's major supermarkets are lit up too.
Coles, Costco and Woollies have all started stocking traditional Diwali goods. Sweets, diyas and rangoli supplies were once found only in specialist Indian shops.
Manish Jain moved to Canberra in 2018. He remembers hunting across town for supplies.
Now he walks into mainstream supermarkets and finds entire Diwali aisles. Even Aussie families are booking special pre-festival cleaning services.
The festival falls on Sunday, 8 November. It celebrates the victory of light over darkness.
Public celebrations are bringing the festival into Canberra's neighbourhoods. Markets, food stalls and cultural events are happening across the weekend.
- 2018
- Jain's arrival
- Sunday, 8 November
- Festival date
- Coles, Costco, Woolworths
- Supermarkets stocking products
Why it mattersThe shift shows how new communities reshape a city's culture and economy. Their traditions are becoming accessible and ordinary for everyone.
AustraliaCanberra's growing Indian community is reshaping local retail and work cultures, with Australian workplaces and businesses now marking the festival too.
