California has officially recognized Diwali, the Hindu “Festival of Lights,” as a statewide holiday — becoming the third U.S. state to do so. Reported by AP News.
Governor Gavin Newsom signed the bill into law on Tuesday, set to take effect on January 1. The law allows public schools and community colleges to close on Diwali, while state employees may opt to take the day off. Students will also receive excused absences to celebrate.
The legislation acknowledges that Diwali is also celebrated by Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists. Pennsylvania became the first state to make Diwali a holiday in 2024, followed by Connecticut earlier this year.
Assemblymember Ash Kalra of San Jose, who coauthored the bill with Darshana Patel of San Diego, said the move was deeply personal. “To have South Asian children be able to proudly celebrate and share it with others is a significant moment,” Kalra said.
California, home to nearly one million Indian Americans, has one of the largest South Asian populations in the U.S. The Hindu American Foundation and the Coalition of Hindus in North America were among the groups advocating for the new law.
“This is a major step toward making Diwali truly accessible to those who celebrate,” said Samir Kalra, managing director of the Hindu American Foundation.
Diwali, derived from the Sanskrit word Deepavali meaning “a row of lights,” symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. This year, it falls on October 20. The festival is marked with lamps, fireworks, feasts, and prayers.
Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists also mark the day with their own traditions — including Bandi Chhor Divas, observed by Sikhs to commemorate the release of Guru Hargobind after 12 years of imprisonment.
Puneet Kaur Sandhu, senior policy manager for the Sikh Coalition, said the inclusive language of the bill ensures that “all of us in the community can take this day to celebrate.”
Rohit Shendrikar, board chair of the South Asian Network in Southern California, called the law a recognition of the South Asian community’s contributions to the state. “It helps build a bond between Californians,” he said.