Governor Gavin Newsom (D-CA) signed a bill making Diwali a state holiday. The religious festival is observed by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists.
The bill, sponsored by assembly members Ash Kalra and Darshana Patel, both Democrats, will take effect on January 1, 2026. It amends Section 135 of the Code of Civil Procedure, the Education Code, and the Government Code.
Kalra said, as per the Associated Press, that “to have South Asian children be able to proudly celebrate and share it with others is a significant moment.”
Samir Kalra, managing director of the Hindu American Foundation, told the outlet that the “provisions that allow students to take the day off without repercussion and state employees to take paid leave are important leaps toward making Diwali truly accessible to those who celebrate.”
A May report from Pew Research found that 20% of the country’s Indian population lives in California. The number amounts to 960,000 out of the 4.9 million Indians in the United States. Other states with large Indian populations include Texas (570,000), New Jersey (440,000), New York (390,000), and Illinois (270,000), the report noted.
Several cities with large Indian populations include New York (710,000), Dallas (270,000), and San Francisco (260,000).
California’s move follows that of Pennsylvania and Connecticut.
The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir is the largest Hindu temple in the state, located in Chino Hills.
In August 2024, Sugar Land, Texas, near Houston, unveiled a nearly 90-foot-tall statue of the Hindu god Lord Hanuman. “The Statue of Union is about creating a spiritual epicenter where hearts find solace, minds find peace, and souls find a path to transcendence,” the statue’s website says. “Let’s bring the vision of North America’s tallest Hanuman Statue to life, and together, let’s continue to create a world filled with love, peace, and devotion.”
