Indoindians Diwali Bazaar 2026: A Celebration of Light, Community and the India–Indonesia Connection
There are some events that take months to plan, but only a few moments to experience. And then there are those special days when, as you look around, you realize that all the planning, phone calls, meetings, last-minute changes and countless little details were really about something much bigger.
For us, the 12th Indoindians Bazaar was one of those days.
Held on Sunday, 27 September at The Westin Jakarta, the Bazaar brought together more than 3,000 visitors and over 150 vendors for a full day of shopping, food, culture, wellness and community. But while the numbers are wonderful to celebrate, what stayed with me most was the feeling in the room — the energy, the conversations, the smiles and the coming together of people from different backgrounds to celebrate Diwali.
For 26 years, Indoindians has been about building connections. We started as a community platform for Indians living in Indonesia, but over the years it has naturally grown into something much broader. Today, Indoindians brings together Indians, Indonesians and people from many different nationalities and cultures. The Diwali Bazaar is perhaps one of the best expressions of that spirit.
More than a Bazaar
When people hear the word “bazaar”, they often think of shopping. And yes, there was plenty of that!
More than 150 vendors filled the Java Ballroom and Denpasar Room with Indian fashion, jewelry, accessories, home décor, handicrafts, beauty and wellness products, gifts and much more. For many of the entrepreneurs, the Bazaar was an opportunity to meet customers directly, tell their stories and introduce their products to a diverse audience.
But we have always believed that our Bazaar should be more than a commercial marketplace. It should be a place where people meet, discover something new and experience a little bit of India — while also celebrating the wonderful connection between India and Indonesia.
And that is exactly what happened.
The food court was another highlight, with 14 food vendors bringing together an incredible variety of flavors. From pani puri, chaat, biryani and samosas to kebabs, pizza, breads, desserts and matcha, there was something for almost every palate. Watching families and friends move from one food stall to another, trying new dishes and sharing their discoveries was a joy in itself.
A Celebration of Culture
Diwali is, of course, the Festival of Lights. But light has many meanings, and for me, one of the most beautiful is the idea of bringing people together.
The cultural programme added another dimension to the day. We were delighted to have Nisyal Priyanka and the Lasyāra dancers present Bharatanatyam, including a beautiful Brindavani Thillana as well as a Bharatanatyam-Bollywood fusion performance. BollyD, led by Irma Kusuma Dewi, brought a completely different energy to the stage with Bollywood dance.
These performances were not simply entertainment. They were a wonderful reminder of how culture travels, evolves and finds new audiences. Seeing Indian classical and contemporary dance performed in Jakarta, by a multicultural group of performers and enjoyed by an equally diverse audience, was particularly meaningful.
Wellness and Meaning
This year, we also wanted to create space for reflection and wellbeing.
The morning began with a meditation session by Isha Foundation Indonesia, giving visitors an opportunity to slow down and begin the day differently. Later in the afternoon, Art of Living Indonesia conducted a yoga and meditation session.
We also had conversations and talk shows during the afternoon, creating opportunities for people to pause from the shopping and engage with ideas, experiences and each other.
For me, this balance is important. Festivals should not only be about what we buy or what we eat. They should also give us an opportunity to connect with ourselves, with our community and with something larger than ourselves.
The India–Indonesia Connection
One of the most rewarding aspects of the Bazaar was seeing how naturally the India–Indonesia relationship came alive through people.
We were honored by the presence of H.E. Ambassador Sandeep Chakravorty and our other distinguished guests, whose support and participation made the occasion especially meaningful. The presence of representatives from the diplomatic, business and wider community added to the sense that the Bazaar was not simply an Indoindians event, but part of the broader people-to-people relationship between India and Indonesia.
Culture has a wonderful ability to create connections without needing many words. Food, music, dance, fashion and traditions can open conversations and create friendships. I believe community events like the Diwali Bazaar play a small but meaningful role in strengthening those connections.
A Big Thank You
An event of this scale is never created by one person. It takes an enormous amount of teamwork, commitment and goodwill.
We would like to sincerely thank our Chief Guests — H.E. Ambassador Sandeep Chakravorty, Mdm. Taruna, DCM Bijay ji, Mrs. Madhu Laroya, Mr. K.K. Agrawal and Mr. Rajat Sagar — for taking the time to join us and share in our celebration.
Our heartfelt thanks also go to every one of our 150+ vendors. Many of you have supported Indoindians for years, while others joined us for the first time. Your energy, enthusiasm and belief in the Bazaar are what make the event possible.
We are equally grateful to our partners and sponsors, our performers, wellness partners, volunteers and everyone who worked behind the scenes. There are so many people who contribute to an event like this without ever being visible on stage, and their efforts are deeply appreciated.
And finally, a very special thank you to the Indoindians team. Months of planning, endless WhatsApp messages, meetings, calls, spreadsheets, creative ideas, problem-solving and last-minute changes eventually come together in just one day. Seeing everyone working together, often quietly and tirelessly, is something we feel incredibly proud of.
And Then There Were the Visitors
Most importantly, thank you to everyone who came.
Whether you came to shop, eat, watch a dance performance, meditate, meet friends, discover something new or simply spend a Sunday with your family, you were part of the celebration.
We hope that when you left the Bazaar, you carried home more than a shopping bag. Perhaps you discovered a new food, met someone interesting, found a new product, enjoyed a beautiful performance or simply experienced the warmth of being part of a community.
That, for us, is what Diwali is really about.
The Festival of Lights reminds us that light becomes even more meaningful when it is shared. And after 26 years of Indoindians, we continue to believe that community is about exactly that — sharing our light, our culture, our stories and our lives with one another.
Thank you for being part of the Indoindians Diwali Bazaar 2026
Until we meet again, may the light continue to shine.
