Indians in Taiwan: Diwali Festival of Lights

By Johnny Z • November 11, 2007

Do you fall into boring patterns in life? …Go to the same places, see the same people, drink the same beer? One thing I enjoy about Taiwan are the interesting things that just happen out of the blue.

My evening went like this:

I was meeting some people that wanted to buy my old scooter. We met, conveniently enough, at a 7 – 11 near the local college campus. Directly after that, I met an old friend that happened to be going to 7 – 11 after class for a few beers. OK, why not eh? We stayed there reminiscing and waiting for his wife to get out of class. Several of his Indian classmates came by and we were invited to their celebration of Diwali, or the festival of lights (all photos here).

When we got to the park, we listened to an older man give an uplifting speech about light as a metaphor for knowledge.

Before i knew it we were in a park introducing ourselves the somewhat large Indian community of Tainan. They all spoke English there (it is one of two national languages in India) as they all came from different areas of India, and most spoke different languages so to communicate they used English.

Then we lit candles (no easy task with the wind gusting)

and set them on the ground in the shape of India. I took so many shots of this I ran out of memory on the camera a little too soon and after coming home, I realize my camera really sucks in low light situations. It’s too bad I couldn’t have taken better photos for them.

After that they carted in the Indian food buffet from Deepok and the local Hari Om Indian restaurant. I ate so much I nearly burst.

Then it was on to lighting fireworks and sparklers and having a good old time.

One thing I noticed was that the woman took off and ate by themselves. I mentioned this and was told it was hard to say exactly why, but that it is a remnant of custom. Old habits die hard I suppose, and woman in India have a lot more expected of them in modern society.

I met so many kind, interesting people tonight, and I hope to see them all again some time. It was a special event for the growing Indian community here and I am very happy to have participated. If any of you see this, email me sometime. therealtaiwan[at] gmail.com

Categories: Culture-Places, Photography
Tags: Teaching English

About the Author

Johnny Z

I am a cultural geographer by nature, and now a photographer, videographer, musician, and webmaster.

37 Responses to “ Indians in Taiwan: Diwali Festival of Lights ”

cfimages Nov 11th, 2007 at 9:39 am cfimages(Quote)

Wow, I never knew Diwali was celebrated in Taiwan. I didn’t think there were enough Indians living here. I’ve been to 3 Diwali’s in India – it’s a great festival.
mild seven Nov 11th, 2007 at 11:53 am mild seven(Quote)

This was the second year the Indian community in Tainan got together to celebrate this festival. I imagine being in India would be no comparison though. It was a nice treat for me as I ate some good Indian food, met some cool people, took some photos, and learned a bit about Indian culture.
Archana Nov 17th, 2007 at 10:57 am Archana(Quote)

Great job,
avnish Sep 11th, 2008 at 11:02 pm avnish(Quote)

I will be in Taipei from 20-30 sept 08, Want to know more about our community in Taipei-avnish-91-9810190841
ellen sharma Oct 26th, 2008 at 5:38 pm ellen sharma(Quote)

i wish i could join tommorow’s diwali…………i miss my place so much……..i stay in yilan n there’s only two indian me n my brother………studing in tku
rakesh Dec 17th, 2008 at 12:32 pm rakesh(Quote)

hi everyone here very huge indian comunity, here have indian temple “jain Temple” at taipei city on Tun hwa south road sec -2 near star bucks u can go wosrship there , here more then 60 jain family live in taipei u can join us . Dearsar number is 02-27009006 or u can mobile Mr. rakesh 0932026425 (indian club president)
Vinod Jun 2nd, 2009 at 9:44 am Vinod(Quote)

Hi guys,

I am currently in London and will be coming to Taipei for 6 months for an internship. I am bit scared of the language problem. Is it really tough to socialize there. Also some information about living expenses and entertainment places is most welcome.

Thanks
viper Jun 28th, 2009 at 12:52 am viper(Quote)

i don’t understand why us indians want to stink wherever we go… guys grow up and make some meaninful clubs which will excite indians to join u…. not the kind foolish activities showing in the pics…. rakesh specially u Mr. President .. where do u live Taipei or shinchun
Dr.M.Raja Sep 4th, 2009 at 7:54 pm Dr.M.Raja(Quote)

Archana: Great job,
Dr.M.Raja Sep 4th, 2009 at 7:56 pm Dr.M.Raja(Quote)

Hai I am Dr.M.raja, joined as a post doc at NTU taiwan
Dr Chaitanya D Nov 7th, 2009 at 12:12 am Dr Chaitanya D(Quote)

hi
I am planning to come to taiwan, National Taiwan Univ Hosp for fellowship some time in mid 2010, please let me know how much will be the expenses per head per month…regards. If I can get your contact no i will speak to you…Regards

Dr.M.Raja: Hai I am Dr.M.raja, joined as a post doc at NTU taiwan
Ramesh Mar 4th, 2010 at 12:07 pm Ramesh(Quote)

Great !!!
Dr Swaminathan Mar 14th, 2010 at 3:14 am Dr Swaminathan(Quote)

Hi:
Is there anyone in Kaoshiung who can teach me Hindi language.
Thanks
rakesh jain Jun 2nd, 2010 at 11:28 am rakesh jain(Quote)

hi,
myself from mumbai and cumin to 1) yung chin,hsiang chung.2)pu hsin hsian changhua hsien.

actually i m looking for a jain family who can let us to stay in their house as we prefer jain food .

we,ll pay for that and we will be greatly obliged.
also in return we can assist them in any work in india also

JAI JINENDRA
rakesh jain Jun 2nd, 2010 at 11:31 am rakesh jain(Quote)

MY MOBILE NO = 91 22 9820320833
R Jun 3rd, 2010 at 7:45 am R(Quote)

105 Chengkung Rd., Puhsin Hsiang, Changhua Hsien, Taiwan
Tel:886-4-8282884
Fax:886-4-8281729

The hotel is called “grand view hotel” in Yuanlin, Changhua. This hotel is nice and also a indian restaurant nearby.
suthakaran T Jun 20th, 2010 at 12:04 am suthakaran T(Quote)

Mr R r u India?
suthakaran T Jun 20th, 2010 at 12:06 am suthakaran T(Quote)

hello is there anyone in taipei city…. now am @ taipei staying @ delight hotel…. is there any Indians near by to me???? please get in touch with me…suthakaran0092@gmail.com or 0976249134…..
Atin Aug 22nd, 2010 at 9:44 am Atin(Quote)

Is any indian who knows tiwanese to do work with me (in taiwan)
Atin Aug 22nd, 2010 at 9:45 am Atin(Quote)

Is any indian who knows tiwanese language to do work with me (in taiwan)
atinchopra79@gmail.com
karthick Aug 28th, 2010 at 11:08 am karthick(Quote)

hello guys.

I am from tamilnadu, i finished BE and i got selected in KUAS Taiwan to do MS. I want to know about the salary for freshes in Mechanical Engg..and i want to know about NATIONAL KAOHSIUNG UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES
Shrenik Sep 29th, 2010 at 5:21 am Shrenik(Quote)

I am visiting TAIPEI in second week of Oct. 2010. I am looking for place where I can get JAIN / pure veg food. Pls let me know.

Thnks.
JAYESH SHAH Oct 11th, 2010 at 2:01 am JAYESH SHAH(Quote)

I got job in tainan….Can i move form india to there ?? What will be the monthly living cost in tainan..Pls. advice…
abhishek kadam Nov 5th, 2010 at 3:39 am abhishek kadam(Quote)

i am here in taiwan for first time, as a student & i want to celebrate diwali,,,,,,,,,can anybody will please help me?
i am in taipei county
SV Dec 3rd, 2010 at 9:47 pm SV(Quote)

Hi,
I am planning to move to Taipei, I have a son, 9yrs old, can anyone advise if there are international schools in Taipei?
Ritesh Dec 5th, 2010 at 7:26 am Ritesh(Quote)

i am here in taiwan for first time, as a student & i want to celebrate diwali,,,,,,,,,can anybody will please help me?i am in taipei county

I got job in tainan….Can i move form india to there ?? What will be the monthly living cost in tainan..Pls. advice…
Ritesh Dec 5th, 2010 at 7:31 am Ritesh(Quote)

Hi!

I am Ritesh, I am also shifting to Tainan with my family.

So, did you shift to Tainan? Can we talk? My id is ritesh.dawar@gmsil.com and phone number is 0955726734,

Do let me know

I got job in tainan….Can i move form india to there ?? What will be the monthly living cost in tainan..Pls. advice…
Monica May 11th, 2011 at 3:06 am Monica(Quote)

Ang Lee needs your help! New movie ‘Life of Pi’ shooting in Taiwan -

Looking for an Indian background actress and Mexican background actor!
Hi, we are looking at all expat resources in Taiwan in search of extras. If you are able to help us, please email me so I can forward you our flyers with more info. Mucho gracias!

Thanks,
Monica Sun | Life of Pi
+886-(0)988600307
monicagenesun@gmail.com
Kamlesh Patel Jun 30th, 2011 at 7:36 pm Kamlesh Patel(Quote)

Hi! We are coming to Kaohsiung in coming two weeks form USA. July 17 – 24.

Concerned about food and language. We are vegetarian. Any sugestions..

kaptel@blindstogo.com
Gajendra Jul 9th, 2011 at 11:41 pm Gajendra(Quote)

check this
http://www.godsdirectcontact.org.tw/eng1/food/restaurant/taiwan/index.php#Taipei

Also currently i am in Taipei and have been to
Kapok Coffee & Bakery
Address:
1F, 5, Lane 308, Section 2, Fu-Hsin South Road, Taipei, Formosa, R.O.C.

Nice small lovely place and good food. They are Vegans restaurant.
Rojalin Jul 21st, 2011 at 10:25 am Rojalin(Quote)

Hi, Can you give me the information whether my husband get spouse visa to stay with me as long as I’ll be there as I got post doc in NTHU, Taiwan.Kindly give me the information as soon as possible.
Thanks in anticipation,
Rojalin

I will be in Taipei from 20-30 sept 08, Want to know more about our community in Taipei-avnish-91-9810190841
Saurabh Jul 21st, 2011 at 12:32 pm Saurabh(Quote)

jain

hi everyone here very huge indian comunity, here have indian temple “jain Temple” at taipei city on Tun hwa south road sec -2 near star bucks u can go wosrship there , here more then 60 jain family live in taipei u can join us . Dearsar number is 02-27009006 or u can mobile Mr. rakesh 0932026425 (indian club president)

Hello can you provide me exact details?
Anonymous Oct 25th, 2011 at 1:37 pm Anonymous(Quote)

Yes dear ! This is Rakesh. Yes we have a nice warm community oj jains living here. Anyone wants any information on temple, or jain veg food, etc, pls feel free to call on +886 932 026425 Rakesh, at anytime. Will be more than happy to giude.
Anonymous Oct 25th, 2011 at 1:38 pm Anonymous(Quote)

Thnx Saurabh bhai
damodhar rao musham Oct 26th, 2011 at 2:03 am damodhar rao musham(Quote)

Hello,Dipawali Greetings all There in Taiwan,Can anyone give Telugu Hindi other Indian languages words which are similar in meaning or words with other meanings but Indian like words.PRE CHINESE TOCHARIN WORDS SCHOLAR IN TAIWAN AS I AM DOING SOME WORK IN ANCIENT CHINESE BUDDHIST LITERATURE IN PALI SANSKRIT ETC .Can anyone give @ email of any scholar institute address dealing in above or any Indian institution so that all Indians in Taiwan can know about your motherland Indian ancient culture language

http://prachinatelugu.blogspot.com/2011/08/phylogenetic-tree-of-all-mtdna.html

damodhar.rao musham
Convener Intellectual Cell
ANDHRAPRADESH CONGRESS COMMITTEE
http://historyofcongress.blogspot.com/

http://prachinatelugu.blogspot.com/
buddhism,extinct language,savara,iksvaku,Prachina Telugu Bhasha Charitra,satavahana,telugu mahasbahalu,ancient telugu script,telugu unicode font,Telugu as Latin {CHINA}Tocharin,fossiled language,srikrishnadevaraya,Prachina Telugu Bhasha lipi WORLD SIMILARITIES,ANCIENT HITORY OF PADMASHALI WEAVERS WORLD WIDE.
09441816605 damodhar padmashali. CAN U GIVE @ PHONE NO OF PADMASHALIS IN INDIA WORLDWIDE AS IT WIL HELPFULL IN MAKING DIRECTORY FREE INCLUSION

President of INDIA & C M of AP released Book on 500 years of SriKrishnaDevaraya
With my paper on ROCK IRRIGATION OF VIJAYANAGARA EMPIRE[sept2010]
125 Years of congress celebrations at Gandhi Bhavan HYD,,CM,PCC President,
Jaipal ReddyDigvijay Singh,inaugurated,Photo and Stamp Exhibition of my son ADARSH.
PRIME MINISTER of INDIA Shri.Rajiv Gandhi released my BOOK,1989
Gave RAHUL GANDHI Telangana Satavahana coin in March 2010,
Father of the ADARSH,Youngest Stamp collector,1998
Calculated velocity of light from Maha Bharata,1012AD,Indian Epic,1986
Monica Feb 3rd, 2012 at 3:32 am Monica(Quote)

Hello Mr. Rakesh,
We are looking at a possibility of moving to Taipei by the end of this year.
It would be great if you can give me your email id so that I can clarify some doubts that I have about Indians living in Taipei.

Is there a large Indian community in Taipei?

Look forward to hearing from you.
Dr. Chakraborty Feb 5th, 2012 at 6:55 am Dr. Chakraborty(Quote)

Dear Friends,
I have joined NCKU as postdoc fellow last november 2011. I am interested to know and get aquianted with Indians staying in Tainan. Now I am alone here but my family will be joining shortly, so it would be really nice if I belong to the Indian community in Tainan as soon as possible. My email ID is chakrabortyr0@gmail.com and my Phone number is 0983407770.