Deepavali or Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights,  will be again celebrated in a very spectacular and jubilant manner in Queens New York on NOVEMBER 2nd 2024 starting at 3:00 PM sharp when thousands of celebrants will participate in this spectacular “Let’s Light Up Liberty Avenue” Diwali celebration!

Presented by the Divya Jyoti Association in collaboration with the Queens Economic Development Corp , the celebration will kick-off at 3:00 PM on Little Guyana Avenue!

The festival of lights is observed by Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists and others in South Asia. The five-day festival is centered on the new moon and is observed by lighting diyas — simple oil lamps — to signify the victory of good over evil in the individual. Diwali celebrations span a five-day period, each day being assigned a special significance as ordained by Hindu doctrine. The first day of Diwali, known as “Dhan-trayodashi,” is a day during which one gives thanks for all spiritual and material wealth in one’s life.

Richmond Hill resident Meera Singh said the annual Diwali event always reminds her of her native Trinidad, where she was born, raised and spent many years celebrating this festival of lights. “I grew up into the religion,” said Singh, who spent the holiday in Richmond Hill for the first time. “In Trinidad at this time of year, we have a big celebration for the festival of lights, and I wanted to see if it was as big here as it is there.”

“Every year people come out and decorate in honor of the Goddess Lakshmi. We only have two major holidays in the Hindu religion. We’re looking to make Diwali a major community event, and it has been growing. We’re very excited about it,” said Lakshmee Singh, one of the members of Divya Jyoti Association.

Check out our article in the Guyana Times: GuyanaTimes01 GuyanaTimes02