Galas, prayer services mark upcoming Diwali celebrations on Long Island
Rekhaben Pandya of Hicksville, prays at the Diwali Festival of Lights held at Girish Patel BAPS, Hindu temple in Melville. Credit: Kendall Rodriguez
Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, celebrates the victory of light over darkness. On Long Island and around the world, the celebration starts with prayer and the lighting of diya (an oil lamp) in homes and places of worship.
The holiday spans over five days with a big celebration on Nov. 1. It continues the following day with the Hindu New Year and the bringing of traditional food to places of worship adding to Annakut, a large food offering to God. Here are ways to observe the holiday:
DIWALI CELEBRATION IN LEVITTOWN
Join group meditation and prayer accompanied by spiritual music, 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 19 at Levittown Hall. Free; 201 Levittown Pkwy., Levittown, eventbrite.com, 516-857-5297.
DIWALI GALA IN WOODBURY
The gala features a performance by Katrina’s Rajasthani Caravan performing folk tunes with a snake charmer and ancient love songs, 5 to 11 p.m. Oct. 27 at the Crest Hollow Country Club. $100 includes a buffet dinner; 8325 Jericho Tpke., Woodbury, Rajasthan Association of North American, ranausa.org, 516-987-0053.
DIWALI FESTIVAL OF LIGHT IN HICKSVILLE
A puja prayer service and a prasad (food offering) will be held to the gods for blessings to bring peace, health and wealth, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 1. Children can play musical chairs and other games and gather to light candles from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Free; opposite 80 E. Barclay St., Hicksville, Afghan Hindu Association, asamai.com, 516-433-4388.
DIWALI CELEBRATION IN PORT JEFFERSON
The festival of lights celebration includes henna painting, sparklers for kids, authentic sweets including gujiya with coconut, cardamom and raisins and coconut ladoo, live sitar music by Dee Harris and Indian fusion, vegetarian and seafood menu (fee), 6 to 9 p.m. Nov. 1 at the Curry Club. Free, reservations required; 111 W. Broadway, Port Jefferson, curryclubatsaghar.com, 631-751-4845.
DIWALI CELEBRATION IN NEW HYDE PARK
The event features lighting of the diya and cultural performances including dance and music, 4 to 8 p.m. Nov. 3 at Clinton G. Martin Park. Free; 1601 Marcus Ave., New Hyde Park, northhempsteadny.gov, 516-869-7625.
DIWALI CELEBRATION IN HICKSVILLE
The celebration includes a cocktail hour at 5:30 p.m., followed by a ceremony at 7:30 p.m. with live entertainment and dinner at 8:15 p.m. Nov. 10 at Pearl Banquet. Tickets start at $125; 276 W. Old Country Rd., Hicksville, hosted by American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin, Queens and Long Island, aapiqli.org, 516-357-8300.
DIWALI AND NEW YEAR CELEBRATION IN MELVILLE
The Chopda Punjan takes place in the evening at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 31 when journals and prayer books are blessed as families pray for success and happiness in the coming year. The Annakut (food mountain) offering as per traditional Hindu cultural tradition takes place from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 2 at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir. This year's event includes a children’s Diwali celebration featuring traditions including praying, wearing traditional clothes and games with a focus on Diwali, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 10. 2 Deshon Dr., Melville, baps.org/Longisland, 631-996-9237.
