Let's Celebrate Diwali: A Cultural Journey

Let's work together in raising awareness of Diwali's significance in California.

Let's Create History, California!

From Darkness into Light: Diwali in California

Join us in raising awareness of Diwali as an official holiday in California; showcasing the contributions of Indians and gaining visibility through education and engagement with local libraries, schools, museums and other cultural centers.

At the Valley Indian Seniors Association (VISA) and USIndianSeniors, based in Los Angeles, our focus is on Indian seniors but we are also equally involved in promoting our cultural heritage for future generations.

Promoting our Culture/Heritage from City to State: In 2024, VISA was invited by Council Member Nithya Raman to LA City Hall. See our City Hall presentation! Read about us in the Daily News

In 2025, we are actively working at a state level, to get AB 268 (the Diwali bill, see below) passed.

Diwali, the Indian Festival of Lights will provide multi-generational engagement, bringing together diverse communities, and highlighting the contributions of Indian Americans to the cultural mosaic of California. It is one of the most significant celebrations for Indian Americans, Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Nepalis and Buddhists. It celebrates family, tradition and heralds a new beginning.

When cities like New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts recognize Diwali as a holiday we need to get Californian Indian Americans to rally together and celebrate our culture and heritage by getting Diwali setup as a legal holiday for future generations.

We are proud to support AB268, which seeks to add Diwali (a holiday observed by Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs, Nepalis and Jains across California (and the world!)), as an official state holiday in California. It's a bill introduced by Assembly Member Kalra (San Jose) and Assembly Member Patel (San Diego).

California is home to over 1.2 million people who celebrate Diwali or an analogous festival during the same period: 1 million Indian Americans, 200,000 Nepali Americans (Tihar), Jains (Dipalika), Sikhs (Bandi Chhor Divas), and Buddhists (commemoration of the day when Emperor Ashoka converted to Buddhism).

All these communities have enriched the state’s technology, healthcare, entrepreneurship, and arts sector — yet our biggest cultural holiday, Diwali remains unrecognized. Let's get active and show support of this initiative (AB 268) at an organization or individual level.

What can you do? What can you get your friends to do?

  • Go to this website.

  • Enter your address

  • The resulting page will provide you your CA Assembly Member and CA State Senator

  • Go to the contact page for the assembly member and the senator and send them a message which states:

  • "I support AB 268, we want Diwali recognized in California." Contact others in your community and have them do the same.

Nothing will happen unless we rally together!

We partner with these wonderful organizations to get this bill passed! (in alpha order):

  • Americans4Hindus

  • BSSW (Bharat Sevasram Sangh West)

  • CoHNA (Coalition of Hindus of North America)

  • Caring Hand for Children,

  • Gujarati Association of the San Fernando Valley

  • HAF (Hindu American Foundation)

  • IFA (India Friends Association)

  • Nepali Association of Northern California (NANC)

  • Saahas For Cause

  • USIndianSeniors.com

  • Valley Indian Seniors Association

.....more coming up!

Let's Make History, CA!

Diwali Awareness Initiatives

Schools, Libraries and museums are community treasures—places where people of all backgrounds come to learn, connect, and see themselves reflected in the stories being told.

Recognizing and sharing Diwali helps us build a California where every culture is acknowledged and every community belongs.

Community Engagement
A display at Starbucks promoting a Diwali blend coffee. The setup includes a chalkboard with handwritten details, including flavor notes and pricing for the new blend. A basket with bottled juices and boxes of chocolates are also featured. A QR code stand is present for ordering options.
A display at Starbucks promoting a Diwali blend coffee. The setup includes a chalkboard with handwritten details, including flavor notes and pricing for the new blend. A basket with bottled juices and boxes of chocolates are also featured. A QR code stand is present for ordering options.

Connect schools, libraries, and museums to raise Diwali awareness and celebrate Indian contributions.

An arrangement of lit diyas with burning wicks and oil is placed in a decorative holder made of natural materials. In the background, colorful lights create a festive ambiance, while partial views of additional decorations and people suggest a cultural or religious event.
An arrangement of lit diyas with burning wicks and oil is placed in a decorative holder made of natural materials. In the background, colorful lights create a festive ambiance, while partial views of additional decorations and people suggest a cultural or religious event.
A close-up view of a lit clay diya with a bright flame, placed on a colored surface. The background has additional unfocused diyas, and a mixture of vibrant colors can be seen providing a festive atmosphere.
A close-up view of a lit clay diya with a bright flame, placed on a colored surface. The background has additional unfocused diyas, and a mixture of vibrant colors can be seen providing a festive atmosphere.
Educational Resources

Provide knowledge on Diwali's significance and provide tool kits and ways to celebrate in California and USA.

Highlight the rich contributions of Indian culture to California's diverse community and heritage.

Cultural Contributions

Contact Us Today

Reach out to us for inquiries about Diwali awareness initiatives and how your organization (and your volunteers) can help move this initiative forward.

Connect

818.481.4977

Email

ng@usindianseniors.com

Raise Diwali Awareness

Promoting our culture and heritage for future generations.

Let's Make History!

Community

ng@usindianseniors.com

818.481.4977

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