Kirki Joshi has been "cooking for days".
After the COVID lockdown wiped out festivities in 2021, Ms Joshi is going all to celebrate Diwali this year.
For Hindus and Jains, Diwali or the Festival of Lights, is a time to commemorate the victory of good over evil, light over darkness and hope over despair.
Families and friend will gather at mandirs (Hindu temples) or at homes and decorate spaces with oil lamps, candles and outline intricate rangoli designs in their doorways.
The five-day event began on Saturday and ends on Wednesday.
However, Monday marked the height of the celebration, coinciding with the end of the darkest day of the year.
Residents in Western Sydney have been cooking up a storm for days.
"I was making ladoos which took me about three to four hours, among other food, which took me a couple of days. It's been lots of fun," Ms Joshi said.
Diwali will see people dressed in colourful outfits, exchanging sweets and lighting sparklers in the street or dancing to some garba beats.
That's how residents are celebrating on Phantom Street in Nirimba Fields.
"During COVID, we couldn't celebrate as much since everyone was in lockdown but now we can all gather and have fun together," teenager, Hasni Martha said.
Phaneendra and Kiran Nagella see the day as an opportunity to pass down their traditions.
"Celebrating Diwali like this helps our kids understand our culture so when they grow up they can do the same and live in peace and harmony with others," Mr Nagella said.
And that's a sentiment that is shared by many families who live along Phantom Street.
Meanwhile, Sikhs will be celebrating a different festival called Bandi Chhor Divas or the Day of Liberation'.
Tradition has it that the religion's sixth teacher, Guru Hargobind, led 52 princes out of prison with him and reached Amritsar (a city in the north-western Indian state of Punjab) on Diwali, which is why the two events coincide.
For the Sikh community, this day serves as a reminder of the importance of freedom and human rights.
For Jaideep Kaur and her family, Bandi Chhor Divas is a time to gather and reflect.
"Normally we celebrate at home with our family first — with paath, hukamnama and ardas (prayers) — and then we'll eat together as a family before heading to the Gurudwara (Sikh temple) and celebrate with the rest of the sagat (congregation)," she said.
For Manu Singh, Monday was about the congregation coming together to give to others.
"We see people from all walks of life coming together to give as much as they can. We'll be overloaded with stuff in the langar hall and have so much food to give," he said.
Meanwhile at Kaur Kollection in Blacktown, run by mother-daughter duo Sukhnandan and Namrita Grewal, there's been a surge in sales as people prepare for the big day by grabbing the latest clothes, homewares and decorations to make their celebrations extra special.
Namrita Grewal gave the ABC a heads up about what's in fashion this Diwali season.
"Lehenga's are coming in, especially light pastel colours...red is the usually the most popular but we're seeing a shift towards pastels this season," she said.
This year foot traffic has increased for the business.
"I was shocked at how many people were coming in, considering how everything went online over the last three years...so I've been seeing people say 'oh my Gosh, I can buy this in person' and that's pretty great," Ms Grewal said.
The store caters for Hindu, Jain and Sikh communities with their stock.
"We make the effort to ensure that we stock items to cater to all cultures and religions so that they can come and celebrate their Diwali (their way)," store owner, Sukhnandan Grewal said.
