The BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha held Diwali celebration at the New Jersey State Capitol in Trenton on Thursday, November 3, 2022. The event was organized in conjunction with Senator Vin Gopal's office and other Indian organizations which included:
- Hindu Temple and Cultural Society of USA, Inc., Sri Venkateswara Temple (Balaji Mandir) and Community Center in Bridgewater, NJ
- Gayatri Chetna Center of Piscataway, NJ
- Federation of Indian Associations
- Shree Umiya Parivar of USA, Shree Umiya Dham Hindu Temple in Edison, NJ
- Association of Indian Americans of North America, Inc. (AIANA) in Monmouth Junction, NJ
Members of the New Jersey Legislature gathered to celebrate Diwali at the New Jersey State House with the traditional annakut. One of the main aspects of the Diwali festival is an annakut, an offering of different Indian-vegetarian dishes to sacred images of Bhagwan.
Diwali is the most widely celebrated festival by Indians and Hindus worldwide. Diwali – The Festival of Lights – was celebrated by members of the New Jersey Legislature by performing the tradition of lighting diyas, or traditional lamps, which symbolize the transition from darkness to light, the victory of good over evil, and the triumph of knowledge over ignorance.
Many State Senate and Assembly members spoke on diversity and the increasingly beneficial role Indian-Americans play throughout the state. The Speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly, Craig J. Coughlin, shared that the Diwali celebrations at the State House were "a beautiful expression of unity in diversity. We are best when we are united."