Lighting up Mayflower

Mayflower Reservoir was lit up with lights and earthen lamps as residents and staff of all nationalities celebrated Diwali, the annual Hindu Festival of lights.

Diwali is a five-day festival coinciding with Hindu New Year, celebrates new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness.

Each year, staff and residents at Mayflower’s aged care facilities come together to celebrate the festival.  

Our residents and staff at Mayflower Reservoir borrowed suits and saris from Ramandeep, one of our Indian staff members to dress for the occasion. Ramandeep also performed two traditional dances with another staff member Rupa Rai, who is originally from Nepal.

Resident Siva Rasaratnam showed some fascinating symbolic dance movements to other residents, such as ‘opening of the lotus flower’. Then, the music changed to pure Bollywood, and all residents learnt upbeat Punjab style dances.

After an afternoon of dancing and learning about the traditional Indian celebration, our multi-cultured residents and staff enjoyed a feast of chicken tikka masala, butter chicken, vegetable samosas, and roti bread with spicy dahl dip.

The feast finished with customary Indian sweets made from dried fruit and nuts, and a sneaky glass of wine to toast the multicultural celebration.

Mayflower Reservoir Resident Norma Bennett thoroughly enjoyed the meal that Ramandeep prepared and says she “looks forward to next years Diwali celebration which was a really nice and vibrantly colourful experience.”

May your Year ahead be filled with light and goodness. Happy Diwali!