Indian Festival of Lights draws crowds to Tamsui

The 2026 Diwali Festival celebration was held at Tamsui Fisherman’s Wharf in New Taipei City yesterday, featuring Indian music, dance and cuisine, with a Taiwanese high school concert band performing traditional Indian pieces.

The annual event, co-hosted by the India-Taipei Association (ITA) and the New Taipei City Government, attracted visitors and dignitaries who gathered to celebrate Indian culture and experience South Asian traditions, the ITA said in a news release.

Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and good over evil, and is traditionally associated with prosperity and new beginnings, said the ITA, India’s representative office in Taiwan.

Dancers perform at the Diwali Festival at Tamsui Fisherman’s Wharf in New Taipei City yesterday.

Photo courtesy of the India Taipei Association

Among the Taiwan officials attending the opening ceremony were National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu (吳釗燮), Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ger Baushuan (葛葆萱) and New Taipei City Government adviser Ke Ching-chung (柯慶忠).

They joined India’s Representative to Taiwan Ninad Deshpande in lighting traditional oil lamps, known as diyas, to mark the occasion.

Deshpande said this year’s celebration marked a milestone in India-Taiwan relations, as EVA Air is set to launch direct flights between Taipei and New Delhi on Dec. 1, restoring nonstop passenger services between the two destinations after a six-year hiatus.

“This route is more than just a flight path -- it is a vital bridge deepening our ties in business, tourism, culture and human connection,” Deshpande said.

China Airlines, which previously operated the Taipei-New Delhi route, suspended the service in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The ITA gave away two round-trip tickets to celebrate EVA Air’s upcoming direct flights.

The festival ran from 4 pm to 8:30 pm, featuring traditional and contemporary Indian dance performances and food stalls offering dishes such as naan and curry.

A highlight was a cross-cultural performance by the concert band of Taipei Municipal Chenggong High School, which presented a selection of classic Indian pieces.

The renowned Taiwanese student band, which has a history of more than 70 years, tackled the intricate rhythms and unique nuances of Indian music, the ITA said.