‘Smaller but still beautiful’
Diwali is here, and you can still get delicious Indian food that’ll make you forget you’re not at an outdoor food event, writes
While Diwali is a centuries-old Hindu tradition that takes over the whole of India with its twinkling diyas (small lamps), vibrant new clothes, cleaned houses, glorious feasts and so much more, its significance hasn’t always been common knowledge in New Zealand.
In the past two decades that has changed a lot, in no small part to the festivals organised by councils around the country. If Covid hadn’t had other plans, this weekend would have been Auckland’s 20th festival that had grown from a gathering that used to attract a few hundred people to one that now regularly draws thousands.
But all is not lost, especially for those Aucklanders whose favourite part of the celebrations was cruising the luscious stalls of curries, street food, sweets and other delicious treats over the years. We spoke to some prominent people in the Indian community to ask them where to get good authentic food to take home to loved ones. After all, that’s what Diwali is all about – the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil and spending time sharing good food and good stories with those you love.
Ella Kumar, health and fitness professional and Puketa¯ papa board member
Ella Kumar has been part of the Auckland Diwali celebrations since 2002, teaching keen festivalgoers Bollywood dance, how to drape sarees, how to make traditional sweets and so much more – in events in central Auckland and in our smaller community centres. She’s a key figure in the Indian community – launching the first
Puketa¯ papa Business Voice, Business Association, the local Puketa¯ papa Diwali and Lantern Festival and organising numerous local health and wellbeing workshops and fitness events.
Her suggestions for anyone who has Diwali food stall withdrawal is to go on a trail of her local area – Puketa¯ papa – and pick up delicious eats from various places.
‘‘Some of my favourites are samosa with tamarind chutney and gulab jamun from
Shivani’s, traditional sweets from Mithai, the chaat platter from Bikanervala, jalebi from Roops, idli, sambar from Santhiyas and traditional dosa from Dosa Plaza. We also have many businesses like Yogiji’s, Lotus supermarkets, Sri Ganesh that sell the ingredients to make a home-cooked meal.’’
Parvati Kalidas, Auckland Indian Association
Parvati Kalidas has been an active part of Auckland’s Indian community for many years. She has been president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer of Mahila Samaj (a women’s group which is part of the Auckland Indian Association) and served as assistant chairperson for the Radha Krishna temple committee. She is chairperson for the health and fitness committee for the Auckland Indian Association. Parvati has lived on the North Shore for just over 48 years.
‘‘The Indian population on the North Shore has grown dramatically in the time we’ve been here. And there are a lot of restaurant and takeaway options now for food from our part of the world. Chand Rothesay Bay is an all-time favourite – their chicken jalfrezi and malai kofta are both excellent.
‘‘And many people enjoy Big
Tikka in
Takapuna; their chicken tikka and tandoori chicken is very good. Kohinoor in Albany is popular too. We are also quite well-serviced for Indian grocery shops to buy all the essentials – Patel Brothers on Sunnybrae Rd has everything you could need and they have recently opened a new shop on Porana Rd in Glenfield called Chaathouse that sells Indian street food.
‘‘Super Spice & Grocery on Link Dr sells Indian groceries and you can also pick up ready-made roti and hot samosas – Top in Town Glenfield is also popular. Diwali is the most important celebration in the Hindu calendar which is celebrated with family and friends on a large scale. This year due to Covid it will be celebrated but on a smaller scale with immediate family, but it will still be beautiful.’’
Bhav Dhillon, Honorary Consul of India
Bhav Dhillon is an extremely prominent figure in the Indian community, not only in his role as honorary consul of India but also in business and philanthropy. He is chairman of There’s a Better Way Foundation, the chairman of the Kiwi Indian Hall of Fame and the publisher of the Indian Weekender, New Zealand’s only weekly newspaper for Kiwi-Indians.
‘‘Diwali is a special day in the lives of all Indians. With its roots in the Hindu religion, it is respectfully celebrated by everyone in India and overseas. The Sikhs celebrate this day as the
‘Bandi Chhor Diwas’ – the day that the Mughals led by Jehangir released the sixth Sikh Guru Hargobind from captivity in the Gwalior fort.
‘‘Every year, huge celebrations happen in the Takanini Gurdwara and the Balmoral Temple. While that can’t happen this year, there is still plenty of good Indian food available around Auckland. My wife Ruby is a food columnist for Indian Weekender and we are both big fans of the South Indian cuisine (especially the dosa) from Saravana Bhavan in Hobson St.
‘‘If we are in for a high-intensity masala curry blast – then nothing beats the biryani or the special paneer masala from popular Paradise on Sandringham Rd, or if street food – like chana bhatura or gol guppa – is your thing, Shivani’s on Dominion Rd is definitely the place to go.’’
Ranjna Patel, founder and director of Ta¯ maki Healthcare
Ranjna Patel is well known in and outside of the Indian community, especially in health circles. Her company, Ta¯ maki Healthcare, delivers primary health services to communities across Auckland, Christchurch, Whangarei, and Palmerston North and she established the Gandhi Nivas residential facilities to help rehabilitate perpetrators of family violence. She is also involved in community groups such as the Swaminarayan Hindu temple in Papatoetoe.
The Swaminarayan community celebrates Diwali and new year with many traditional ceremonies over the five-day period – Laxmi Pooja (honouring wealth), Sarasvati pooja (honouring knowledge), Chopra pooja (honouring business), Diwali (creating light in your life) and then Annakut (welcoming the new year with abundance of food).
On Annakut day – the Hindu new year – they usually have more than 300 different items made by the community. While Ranjna is disappointed the public will not be able to enjoy the tasty snacks they make and serve at the Diwali Festival, it doesn’t mean people can’t get their fix of great Indian food to take home and enjoy with their family.
‘‘In South Auckland I would definitely suggest Dosa Plaza and Shivani for tasty street food, Dosa and full vegetarian meals. For jalibee, ladu and samosa – Kulvinder from Choice India and Kaylas from North Indian Sweets. There is no shortage of takeaways in Papatoetoe and O¯ ta¯ huhu to cater for all Diwali celebrations.
‘‘Happy Diwali and Salmubarak to everyone from all at Swaminarayan Temple.’’