New York, a multicultural city, home to many communities, celebrates Diwali this Sunday, November 12. Between traditional Indian dance shows and fireworks, here is everything you need to know to celebrate the “festival of lights” in New York.
Diwali or Divali is also called the festival of lights, it is a major celebration in Indian culture. It celebrates the return of King Rama to Ayodhya, an ancient city in India. The inhabitants lit the streets where the king passed, hence the importance of lights and candles during the celebrations. This year, the ceremonies take place from Thursday 9 to Monday 13 November, the most important day being Sunday 12, the date of the Indian New Year. It’s time to get together with family and friends around a meal or fireworks.
Diwali, new school holidays in the United States
This year, New York City added Diwali to the official list of public school holidays. The Festival of Lights is now a national holiday in New York and New Jersey. Eric Adams, Mayor of New York, came up with the idea after seeing the steady growth of South Asian and Indo-Caribbean communities in the city. New York’s Hindu population has doubled in the past 30 years.
Diwali is more than just a holiday. It is a reminder to all of us that we must push away the darkness wherever we see it and bring in light.
I’m so proud to stand with our Hindu community and last night we welcomed them to the People’s House for a special #Diwali celebration. pic.twitter.com/eYGIoY0c5h
— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) October 18, 2023
The latter declared that the creation of this public holiday is a “victoire” for the Indian community and a “victory for New York City”. This decision was greatly welcomed by the Indian diaspora in the city. Congresswoman Grace Meng also introduced a bill to have Diwali recognized by the United States federal government as the 12th national holiday. Unfortunately for participants, this year the holiday falls on a Sunday.
Where to celebrate Diwali in New York?
New York City vibrates and lights up to the rhythm of the festival of lights for 5 days. Several thousand Indians are expected across the four corners of the city. From Times Square, through the Ganesh temple, to the Brooklyn Children Museum, the entire city will be in the colors of Diwali. Lepetitjournal.com has compiled for you a list of places to celebrate this event in New York.
Every year, the Bhakti Center organizes what is called the Diwali mela, an event mixing culinary specialties and musical celebrations. Immerse yourself in a vibrant atmosphere to celebrate the triumph of light. If you want to sign up for a spiritual connection with the divine during these celebrations, this is the place to go.
Adresse : 25 First Avenue, New York, NY 10003
This Thursday, November 9, for the start of the Diwali holidays, the Brooklyn Children’s Museum is organizing a puppet show. A show open to all, whatever their religion or nationality. A show with the theme of devotion, compassion and love. Other activities are on the program, such as lantern making and a mithai creation workshop, an Indian confectionery.
Entrance is free for everyone and is from 2 p.m. For more information, go to the museum website.
Adresse : 145 Brooklyn Avenue, Brooklyn NY 11213
Friday, November 10, head to the seaport for an afternoon of celebrations. Enjoy dance performances, traditional art workshops, and numerous Indian cuisine stalls. Once night falls, you can float your own diyas (oil lamp) in the pools set up for the festival.
Adresse : Seaport Square, 89 South Street, between Piers 17 & 16
For these celebrations, Kebab aur Sharab will offer a special menu for the occasion. Between November 12 and 15, the restaurant will offer amrit punch, halwa puri chanan, fried bread and spicy chickpeas. Additionally, the restaurant partnered with Tagmo to make exclusive boxes of eight Indian sweets for $50.
Address: 247 W 72nd St, New York, NY 10023, United States
2023-11-08 16:12:01
#celebrate #Diwali #York
