Christian Spencer

Diwali no longer belongs only to the temple. It has become part of the city’s official calendar, drawing attention from politicians, corporate sponsors, and Queens, the borough with the largest Hindu population, which serves as the center of the celebrations.

The week leading to the October 20 celebration saw the glow of Diwali lights spread across Queens as temples, parks, and streets filled with prayers, parades, and performances marking the Festival of Lights, a holiday now recognized as a New York City public school holiday.

Political campaigns have increasingly leveraged the festival, turning religious observance into a stage for civic engagement. Queens has emerged as the focal point for both worship and political attention, combining tradition with contemporary

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