Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is considered the most important festival of the year in India.
The typically five-day festival is widely celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists in India and across the world, usually in late October or early November depending on the Hindu lunar calendar. Communities come together to enjoy big feasts, festive lights, colorful fireworks and rangoli displays, and cultural customs depending on the region or religion.
Diwali — derived from “Deepavali,” which translates to a “row of lights” — celebrates the triumph of good over evil.
Here are some events across the southland honoring the Diwali tradition.
Inland Empire
Nov. 10-13: The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Los Angeles, the region’s largest Indian mandir located in Chino Hills, celebrates the Festival of Lights all weekend. Organizers shared suggestions for families to celebrate at home, starting Friday, Nov. 10 with the Dhanteras Puja prayers. On Saturday, Nov. 11, all are invited to a children’s Diwali celebration at the mandir from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., with activities, arts and crafts.
On Sunday, Nov. 12, an inaugural community Diwali celebration will include traditional and contemporary activities, starting at 4 p.m. There will be mehndi and henna booths, diya or oil lamp-lighting, rangoli/mandala art, a special veterans’ tribute program, and cultural performances from various regions of India. As part of Diwali community service, all are invited to bring food or clean hygienic goods to donate to local shelters and pantries. There will also be a blood drive and care-kit-making booths all weekend long.
On Monday, Nov. 13, the Festival of Lights continues with the Annakut celebration, which will include vibrant art displays, lights, and a grand food offering to sacred images at the mandir temple.
From Saturday through Monday, all weekend long, the mandir light and sound shows will be every 30 minutes beginning at 6:30 through 8 p.m.
The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Los Angeles is located at 15100 Fairfield Ranch Rd. in Chino Hills. For more information and registration, visit bapsladiwali.org.
Los Angeles County
Nov. 10-12: The Pasadena Hindu Temple, located at 676 S. Rosemead Blvd., celebrates Diwali Mahotsav 2023 all weekend long with puja prayers and events. Dhanteras puja prayer begins Friday, Nov. 10 at 6:30 p.m. More prayers are sheduled for Sunday, Nov. 12 starting at 4 p.m. A Diwali cultural program will be held on Saturday, Nov. 18 at Monrovia High School, featuring a dinner and cultural performances. Visit thepasadenahindutemple.org for more details.
Nov. 11: The Center for Yoga in Larchmont Village celebrates a Festival of Lights Kirtan and Ecstatic Dance fundraiser to celebrate the start of Diwali. There will be live music, spiritual chanting and dancing. For more information and tickets: centerforyogala.com
Nov. 11: Elevate Lounge celebrates “Bollywood Dhamaka, A Diwali Bollywood Party,” at 811 Wilshire Blvd, 21st floor. Desi attire is recommended. Contact 605-933-9873 for @bihevents on Instagram for more info.
Nov. 11: Free Diwali Mela Block Party at the Greenway Court Theater, 544 North Fairfax Ave, starting at 4:30 p.m. The celebration includes live Bollywood and musical performances, Desi food and drink. KriyaShakti Performing Arts also hosts month-long performances of the new one-act play, “ABCD: American Born Confused Desi,” at the Greenway Court Theater, beginning Saturday.
Nov. 12: Celebrate Deepavali/Diwali at the Art of Living Dome, 948 West Adams Boulevard, in downtown Los Angeles on Sunday, Nov. 12 with lamp-lighting, a guided breathing and meditation session, the puja ritual, Indian cuisine and pani puri stations, a Bollywood flash mob and more. Visit artofliving.org for more info.
Nov. 12: The Awareness Center, 2801 E. Foothill Blvd., in Pasadena celebrates Diwali with different forms of yoga, dance, a puja ceremony and more, beginning at 6 p.m. Registration is $25 registration at awarenesscenteryoga.com/events.
Nov. 12: Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center LA offers an online and in-person Diwali celebration on Sunday, Nov. 12, at its studio at 3741 West 27th Street in Los Angeles. The program begins with a 5:30 p.m. Lakshmi puja prayer, and samosas and chai will be served. Suggested donation is $25. For more info, visit sivanandala.org/program/online-diwali-festival-of-light.
Orange County
Nov. 10: The Orange County Indian Women Diwali meetup will be held at 1 p.m. at Sweet Shade Park, 15 Sweet Shade in Irvine. Children are welcome. The OC South Asian Student Association also celebrates Diwali with a party on Friday, Nov. 10 at the Irvine Great Park poolhouse and veranda, 120 Newington Drive, at 6 p.m.
Nov. 11: The Southern California chapter of Akhil Bhartiya Shree Swami Samarth Gurupeeth organization celebrates Diwali at the Chinmaya Mission of Los Angeles, 14451 Franklin Avenue in Tustin, from 3 to p.m. Join for festivities, food, music and other traditions. To participate and attend, visit bit.ly/absss-diwali.
Nov 17: Join the Desi Indian Youth Association for a Diwali gala dinner fundraiser with a four-course meal, live music and dancing at the Yorba Linda Community Center, 4501 Casa Loma Ave. Tickets are $50. Visit www.diyaca.org for more info.
