Pennsylvania Officially Recognizes Diwali as a State Holiday: Nepali-Speaking Community Celebrates

Pennsylvania has officially recognized Diwali as a state holiday. Governor Josh Shapiro signed Senate Bill 402 into law during a Diwali, Tihar, and Bandi Chhor Diwas celebration hosted by the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Asian American & Pacific Islander Affairs in Harrisburg. The bipartisan legislation celebrates Pennsylvania’s cultural diversity and honors the traditions of over one billion Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and Buddhists worldwide who observe Diwali, including hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians.

“By signing this bill into law, we are not only recognizing the importance of Diwali but also celebrating the rich cultural heritage and many contributions of the Asian American community to Pennsylvania,” said Governor Shapiro. “Diwali symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and hope over despair—values that guide our Commonwealth.”

For the first time ever, Diwali is now a state-recognized holiday here in Pennsylvania.

No matter what you look like, where you come from, who you love or who you pray to, you have a place here in PA — and as Hindu, Jain, and Sikh Pennsylvanians celebrate the Festival of… pic.twitter.com/USaSYdl9yW

— Governor Josh Shapiro (@GovernorShapiro) October 22, 2024

The bill, passed by the Pennsylvania State Assembly on October 9th, designates Diwali as an annual state holiday, with the first official celebration set for 2024. Although schools, government offices, and businesses are not required to close, the recognition highlights the cultural significance of the festival and encourages all Pennsylvanians to celebrate.

The Nepali-speaking community in Pennsylvania expressed joy at the recognition. Tilak Niraula, President of the Bhutanese Community in Harrisburg, called it a “historic achievement” for the Hindu Nepali community. “We had proposed the recognition of both Dashain and Tihar, and we are thrilled that Diwali has been officially acknowledged,” he said.

Community leader Om Adhikari shared the sentiment, calling it a “historic victory” for all. “We are proud that our proposal has come to fruition, and we hope other cultural issues we’ve raised will also receive recognition in the future,” Adhikari added.

Razin Karu, Executive Director of the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Asian American & Pacific Islander Affairs, emphasized the significance of Diwali for South Asians in Pennsylvania, particularly those with roots in India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh. “It’s a privilege to join Governor Shapiro as he signs this law, officially recognizing Diwali as a state holiday in Pennsylvania,” Karu said.

The legislation, sponsored by Senator Greg Rothman and Senator Nikil Saval, garnered broad bipartisan support. Representative Arvind Venkat, who championed companion legislation in the House, noted that the recognition of Diwali celebrates Pennsylvania’s diversity and promotes inclusivity across the state.

Beyond Pennsylvania, significant strides have also been made in New York City. In 2023, Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation making Diwali a school holiday for New York City public schools. The bill was introduced by Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar.

At the federal level, U.S. Representative Grace Meng introduced legislation last year to make Diwali a federal holiday, further highlighting its importance in American culture and recognizing the contributions of South Asian communities across the nation.

Maryland officially recognized another significant Nepali Hindu festival, Dashain, last year by designating October 5 as Dashain Day. This recognition followed the passage of a bill by the state legislature and its signing into law by Governor Wes Moore.

For Nepali communities, the recognition of Diwali is especially meaningful, as it coincides with the Tihar festival in Nepal. Tihar, the second-largest festival after Dashain, spans five days and honors the bond between humans and nature through the worship of animals like crows, dogs, and cows. Traditional songs like Deusi Bhailo and prayers to Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, are central to the celebrations, symbolizing prosperity and unity.