Uniting lawmakers and community members in honor of the Hindu Festival of Lights, the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha hosted Diwali celebrations across multiple State Capitols. These celebrations spanned the country, including State Capitol gatherings in Tennessee, Alabama, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, California, and Kentucky.
Diwali is a festival observed worldwide by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and some Buddhists, which symbolizes the triumph of good over evil and the victory of knowledge over ignorance. State officials and local leaders commemorated this powerful message by joining in the lighting of diyas—ceremonial lamps symbolizing good’s triumph through light over darkness. Another element of the celebration was the towering Annakut, or “mountain of food,” display, which featured an array of delicacies meant to celebrate the Hindu New Year.
The celebrations served as a bridge to deepen cultural understanding and bring together diverse communities, creating an environment where attendees could reflect on Diwali’s universal themes of unity, compassion, and contemplation as observers herald in the New Year. "Celebrating Diwali at the Capitol allows us to share these meaningful traditions with our broader communities," shared a BAPS volunteer. "We’re grateful to have a platform that not only preserves our heritage but also fosters a shared appreciation across cultures."
Massachusetts State Capitol
At the Massachusetts State Capitol in Boston, House Speaker Ronald Mariano, Senate President Karen Spilka, and House Asian Caucus Chair Tackey Chan were among the notable attendees. Speaker Mariano highlighted the importance of religious tolerance and embracing diversity:
“It’s the way we all should be trying to live our days, regardless of what religion you practice, where you are practicing it, or how you’re practicing it,” said Speaker Ronald Mariano. Governor Healey, Lieutenant Governor Driscoll, and Secretary of the Commonwealth William F. Galvin presented BAPS volunteers with a proclamation declaring November 4, 2024, as “Diwali” in Massachusetts.
Pennsylvania State Capitol
In Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 26 State Representatives and State Senators gathered alongside Razin Karu, Executive Director of Pennsylvania’s Governor’s Advisory Commission on AAPI Affairs, to celebrate Diwali. State Representative Melissa Cerrato emphasized the festival's unifying message: "It's important to know that whether we are of your faith or a different faith, we can come together... to love one another, to accept one another, and to celebrate with one another.
Alabama State Capitol
In Montgomery, Alabama, prominent leaders gathered to celebrate Diwali, including Attorney General Steve Marshall, Consul General of India in Atlanta Shri Ramesh Babu Lakshmanan, State Senator Josh Carnley, State House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels, Alabama Republican Party Chairman John Wahl, and State Representatives Jeremy Gray, Mike Shaw, Joe Lovvorn, Jack Williams, and Kerry Underwood.
New Jersey Statehouse
The Diwali festivities at the New Jersey Statehouse in Trenton brought together several notable leaders to celebrate the occasion. Attendees included State Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, Assemblymembers Robert Karabinchak, Sterley Stanley, Mitchelle Drulis, State Senator Patrick Diegnan, State Senator Raj Mukherji, and State Senator Bob Smith.
California State Capitol
The California State Capitol in Sacramento brought together Assembly Majority Leader Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, Assemblymembers Tasha Boerner, Mike Fong, Stephanie Nguyen, Ash Kalra, Alex Lee, Assemblymember-elects Darshana Patel and Patrick Ahrens, and Assembly Chief Clerk Sue Parker.
Kentucky State Capitol
In Frankfort, Kentucky, the Diwali celebrations at the State Capitol welcomed distinguished leaders, including Governor Andy Beshear, Lieutenant Governor Jacqueline Coleman, Secretary of State Michael Adams, Deputy Attorney General Rob Duncan, State Representative Nima Kulkarni, and State Representative Kevin Jackson.
Tennessee State Capitol
In Nashville, Tennessee, leaders including Secretary of State Tre Hargett, State Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson, Senior Advisor to the Governor John DeBerry, Tennessee Republican Party Chairman Scott Golden, and Consul General of India in Atlanta Shri Ramesh Babu Lakshmanan, participated in the event. Secretary Hargett reflected on Diwali’s values: “What we have in this room today is a lot of togetherness... Let’s celebrate Diwali in some way each and every day and light our own internal diya (light).”
BAPS extends its gratitude to the state leaders who sponsored the celebrations: