New York State Governor Kathy Hochulʼs office organized the Diwali celebrations at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Flushing.
New York: From New Delhi to New York to London, Diwali vibes filled the air as millions worldwide began celebrating the festival of lights with joy and fervor. The festival, falling on October 20, is lighting up cities with festivals, fireworks, and cultural events.
In New York, Governor Kathy Hochul's office organized Diwali celebrations at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Flushing, Queens, which was attended by over 200 guests, including State Senator John Liu, Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar, and Assemblyman Edward Braunstein. India's Deputy Consul General Vishal Harsh and BAPS North America CEO Kanu Patel also attended the event.
The Association of Indians in America, New York (AIA-NY) celebrated its 38th iconic Deepavali Festival at Overlook Beach on October 11, marking a milestone as the first-ever festival of its kind on Long Island. An estimated 5,000 people enjoyed cultural performances, spiritual presentations, traditional Indian food, and community celebration throughout the day.
In India, international artists from Russia, Thailand, Indonesia, Nepal, and Sri Lanka are bringing the Ramayana to life, blending their native art forms with India’s timeless heritage. The Uttar Pradesh government has said that nearly 28 lakh diyas will illuminate 56 ghats along the Saryu river in Ayodhya as part of the festival of lamps in the city.
Thousands gathered at London's Trafalgar Square to celebrate Diwali. The iconic landmark was transformed into a kaleidoscope of color, culture, and community spirit, featuring dance, music, food, and spiritual reflection, showcasing the vibrant spirit of the Festival of Lights.
Canada Post released a new stamp to mark Diwali, an annual tradition with the government corporation since 2017. Indo-Canadians had an additional cause for celebration ahead of the festival of lights as a proposed ban on fireworks in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) was reversed by the city council, though with the imposition of restrictions.
