California Officially Declares Diwali a State Holiday Starting 2024

California has officially recognized Diwali, the Hindu “Festival of Lights,” as a statewide holiday, making it the third U.S. state to do so. Governor Gavin Newsom signed the legislation into law on October 3, 2023, with implementation set for January 1, 2024.

The law allows public schools and community colleges to close on Diwali, while state employees may choose to take the day off. Students will also receive excused absences to celebrate the festival. The legislation acknowledges that Diwali is celebrated not only by Hindus but also by Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists.

Legislative Background and Community Impact

As the first state to declare Diwali a holiday, Pennsylvania paved the way in 2024, followed by Connecticut earlier this year. The bill was co-authored by Assemblymember Ash Kalra of San Jose and Darshana Patel of San Diego, who emphasized the personal significance of the decision. “To have South Asian children be able to proudly celebrate and share it with others is a significant moment,” Kalra stated.

California, with nearly one million Indian Americans, hosts one of the largest South Asian populations in the United States. Advocates for the new law included the Hindu American Foundation and the Coalition of Hindus in North America. Samir Kalra, managing director of the Hindu American Foundation, remarked, “This is a major step toward making Diwali truly accessible to those who celebrate.”

Significance of Diwali Celebrations

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, the festival will be celebrated on October 20, 2024, and is marked by the lighting of lamps, fireworks, festive meals, and prayers.

Different communities honor the day with their unique traditions. For example, Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chhor Divas, which commemorates the release of Guru Hargobind after twelve years of imprisonment. Puneet Kaur Sandhu, senior policy manager for the Sikh Coalition, highlighted the inclusive language of the bill, ensuring 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, emphasized that the law recognizes the contributions of the South Asian community to the state. He stated, “It helps build a bond between Californians.”

With this new legislation, California joins a growing number of states acknowledging the cultural significance of Diwali, reflecting the diverse fabric of American society.