Diwali is now an official holiday in Pennsylvania. On Monday, October 21, 2024, Governor Josh Shapiro signed Senate Bill 402 into law while attending a Diwali celebration.
Diwali, known as the “Festival of Lights,” lasts five days with the main celebration occurring on the third day. This year, Diwali will be celebrated from October 29 to November 3.
Diwali is one of the major religious festivals in Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism, and some Buddhists. This festival generally symbolizes the “victory of light over darkness”, according to Britannica.
A media release from the governor’s office says, “This move by Shapiro celebrates the rich cultural diversity of Pennsylvania residents and the traditions of the over one billion Buddhists, Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs worldwide who celebrate Diwali, including hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians.”