New York City celebrates Diwali, iconic Empire State Building lit up in orange hues

The iconic Empire State Building was lit up in orange hues as New York City celebrated Diwali on Sunday.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Deputy Commissioner of International Affairs Dilip Chauhan celebrated the ‘festival of lights’ with people of the Hindu community at the Bhakti Center, the oldest Hindu temple in Manhattan.

In June, Eric Adams announced the popular Hindu festival Diwali as a school holiday in New York City.

The Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) of the tri-state area of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, the leading umbrella community organisation in the US, partnered with the Empire State Building to illuminate the iconic Manhattan building for the festival.

At the Hindu Community Diwali celebration, over 1500 people gathered to celebrate at the Bhakti Center temple in Manhattan.