Galas, prayer services mark upcoming Diwali celebrations on Long Island
Rekhaben Pandya, of Hicksville, prays at the Diwali Festival of Lights held at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir 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 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 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 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 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.
