THE National Council for Indian Culture (NCIC) is hoping for at least $1 million in State funding to support the staging of Divali Nagar 2025, which is expected to cost around $3.5 million.

This year's annual festival at the NCIC's Endeavour facility is set to run from Saturday 11 to Sunday 19 October, NCIC president Surujdeo Mangaroo announced yesterday.

Mangaroo said the nine-day Divali Nagar is regarded as the biggest Hindu festival outside of India and noted that public attendance has only increased in recent years.