Diwali (pronounced dih-vaa-lee) or also known as the festival of lights is observed in late October or early November across India and the Indian diaspora by more than 1 billion people around the world. While it shares some customs and traditions with lights, gifts, and overeating, with holidays like Christmas and Hanukkah, Diwali is an Indian holiday that dates back thousands of years. This year, Diwali was celebrated on Oct. 24. Though technically religious as it is primarily celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists, Diwali also become a cultural event in North America that is widely celebrated by the South Asian community.

Diwali celebrates the triumph of light over dark and good over evil, and the blessings of victory, freedom, and enlightenment. The name, Diwali, comes from a word in Sanskrit language, Dipavali, which means a row of lights. On the evening of Diwali, dozens of candles and clay lamps filled with oil, which are called diyas, are placed throughout homes and in the streets to light up the dark night. 

Diwali is observed differently by those who celebrate depending on the traditions of each family. The most widespread custom is the lighting of diyas on the night of the new moon to invite the presence of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. The doors and windows of houses are kept open in the hope that Lakshmi will find her way inside and bless the residents with wealth and success. The aim is to attract Lakshmi’s attention and guide her towards these twinkling diyas to bestow blessings and prosperity for the year ahead.

The weeks leading up to Diwali are traditionally a time for redecorating the home, buying new clothes, visiting family and friends, and exchanging gifts such as sweets, dried fruits, and nuts. There are dinner parties, outdoor food festivals, and craft fairs – all of which help build up excitement ahead of the main Diwali celebration.

On Diwali, there is generally feasting, feeding the poor, and setting off fireworks. Playing card games and winning is a way of ensuring good luck in the coming year. Ritually, in honor of Lakshmi, the women players should win, and generally most families enjoy time with each other and with their relatives by exchanging gifts, which starts the holiday season of giving and happiness.

The growing prominence of Diwali and understanding that the cultural awareness is critical for our local communities, Steve Glassman, Fort Lauderdale Commissioner, District 2, has recently presented a proclamation declaring Oct. 24, 2022, as Diwali “Festival of Lights” Day in the City of Fort Lauderdale. In New York City, Mayor Eric Adams, has also recently announced that Diwali will become a public holiday starting next year in New York City. These two examples demonstrate cultural recognition of the South Asian community, and it shows that our society is increasingly becoming diverse and is embracing multicultural traditions to recognize celebrations that bring people from different backgrounds together to build a stronger and inclusive community for everyone.

This year, Nelson Mullins has supported the first Diwali celebration for the inaugural Diversity and Inclusion Committee of the Broward County Bar Association where the diya lighting ceremony was commenced by the Honorable Anuraag Singhal, first Asian Pacific American and Indian American to serve as an Article III federal judge in the Eleventh Circuit (Alabama, Georgia, and Florida).

In the holiday spirit, I wish everyone on behalf of my firm, Nelson Mullins, a very Happy Diwali and a prosperous close of this year and a joyous one ahead. May the holiday season begin for all cultures and traditions to bring us all together to celebrate our similarities and differences as one multicultural American family.