ITS origins are based on good triumphing over evil, and organisers of an Indian festival in West Footscray are hoping the event will advance social harmony following a spate of violent attacks on Indian students.

Diwali, or festival of lights, is the biggest event on the Indian cultural calendar. It will be held for the first time in Melbourne's west on Saturday, October 3, at Whitten Oval.

Maribyrnong Council agreed last week to provide in-kind support to the value of $7000. This followed its rejection earlier this year of a budget submission from the festival's organisers for $20,000.

"Things have changed since that request was made," Mayor Michael Clarke said. "We have seen remarkable levels of violence towards members of the Indian community. We have a section of our community that feels unsafe."

Cr Clarke said supporting Diwali in the west would help the Indian community feel safe and welcome in Maribyrnong.

The idea for Diwali in the West sprang from the relationship between West Footscray Neighbourhood House and the local Indian population.

Helen Rodd, of the organising committee, said it was chance to support the Indian community following the violent attacks.

"We need to put our arms around them and say, 'You belong here and we value you'. They want to showcase their culture and they want other people to come and celebrate with them."

Ms Rodd said the festival would start with morning activities and food stalls at the Neighbourhood House in West Footscray followed by a cricket match at Whitten Oval in the afternoon and evening fireworks to maintain a traditional element.

Student Mukesh Nandolia, 24, from Gujarat, said Diwali was a big event for all Indians. Holding the festival in Footscray was a chance to share their culture with the wider community.

The editor of West Footscray-based Indian newspaper Bharat Times, Dinesh Malhotra, said the festival was the biggest event on the Indian cultural calender and was celebrated across all religions and ethnic groups in the sub-continent and throughout the Indian diaspora.

Malhotra, who is overseeing festival entertainment, said the Indian population in Melbourne's inner-west, including visiting students, was in the vicinity of 12,000 to 13,000 people. He expected a crowd of more than 10,000 to show up on the day.