California is the third U.S. state to designate Diwali as an official statewide holiday. The law, newly signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, takes effect January 1.

A new state bill has made the Hindu holiday Diwali an official California state holiday. The bill, signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom on Tuesday, goes into effect Jan. 1. Diwali, the Hindu "Festival of Lights," marks the start of the Hindu new year.

California has the largest Indian American population among the states at nearly 900,000. This year’s Diwali starts on Oct. 20. The holiday begins on the 15th day of the month of Kartik in the Hindu lunar calendar, which usually falls in October or November.

About 960,000 Indian Americans, making up one fifth of their nationwide population of 4.9 million, live in California

Diwali, India 's most significant annual festival, holds particular importance for Hindus but is celebrated across faiths by over a billion people in the nation and its diaspora. Over five days, attendees enjoy festive gatherings, spectacular fireworks displays, elaborate feasts, and prayer.

California is adding a new holiday to its calendar. On Monday, Oct. 6, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 268 into law, making California the third state to designate Diwali — the Hindu festival of lights — as an official statewide holiday.

California's governor is busy signing bills into laws, from banning police masks to creating Diwali as a state holiday, from California State University admissions to making sure landlords provide basic appliances.

A big party was held in Elk Grove on Monday night, with the community's annual Diwali celebration taking place.

Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed AB 268, introduced by Assemblymember Ash Kalra (D-San José), which officially designates Diwali as a state holiday. Diwali, also known as the “Festival of Lights,” is

FBI Director Kash Patel, the first Indian American in the role, celebrates Diwali online, sparking both backlash from MAGA supporters and support from diverse communities.

This week marks Diwali, Hinduism’s luminous festival and the most widely celebrated public holiday in India — the world’s most populous nation. Also known as Deepavali, meaning “a row of lights,” it is one of the most widely celebrated festivals in the world [1].