New York City celebrates Diwali, iconic Empire State Building lit up in orange hues

New York, NY: The iconic Empire State Building was lit up in orange hues as New York City celebrated Diwali on Sunday, November 12, 2023.

Mayor Eric Adams and Deputy Commissioner of International Affairs Dilip Chauhan attended the ‘festival of lights’ with people of the Hindu community at the Bhakti Center, the oldest Hindu temple in Manhattan. More than 1,500 people gathered to celebrate at the Bhakti Center.

In June, Eric Adams announced Diwali would be a public school holiday in New York City.

The Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) of the tri-state area of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, the leading umbrella community organization in the US, partnered with the Empire State Building to illuminate the iconic Manhattan building for the festival.

“Happy Diwali! It was a beautiful experience here, and I welcome anyone not only during Diwali but any time of the year. Come here and renew your energy,” the NY City mayor Eric Adams told ANI. “So important to spread our light throughout the entire globe. Not only on Diwali but all the time,” he added.

The community of the US Embassy in India also celebrated Diwali with US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti on Sunday with festive lights, sweets, and rangoli.
The US Embassy in India shared on social media X, a video showing the US embassy community celebrating the festival in Indian attire, making rangolis and decorating the embassy.
Deputy Commissioner at the New York City Mayor’s office, Dilip Chauhan, lauded the historic development of observing Diwali as a public school holiday for the first time in its history.
Chauhan highlighted the significance of this decision, attributing it to years of dedicated advocacy by the Indian diaspora and the Indian-American community.