Hundreds pack Bhakti Center on Lower East Side for Diwali celebrations

NEW YORK — Diwali is being celebrated Monday night around the world.

Here at home, it has become a growing tradition on the Lower East Side.

The sound of music echoed through the Bhakti Center. The rhythmic tunes were a way to unite during Diwali.

“It’s a time of festivity of family of warmth and really just coming into the light and dispelling that darkness that’s in our hearts,” Rukmini Poddar said.

The holiday is known as the festival of lights, but it’s more than that.

“There’s a phrase … basically means moving from some level of ignorance to some levels of knowledge,” Suman Chaki said.

READ MORE: New York City plans to make Diwali a school holiday next year

Knowledge is passed on. It’s why you see so many families gather during the celebration. Arti Maher was joined by her dad, who flew in from the Canary Islands.

“I know for a lot of people who are here today. They’re away from home. It’s nice to get together with other people who have the same belief and celebrate Diwali,” said Maher, who lives in Connecticut.

Part of that celebration is expressed through dance. There is also the universal language of food. Diwali is known for its sweets, and Indian street fare.

“I love getting to eat all the Indian food and seeing everyone all dressed up,” one person said.

“Coming from home, when we’re not able to be with our family, it’s nice to kind of come together as a community and celebrate Diwali,” another said.

“We just live a few blocks down, so to get this sense of culture and community so close to home is really great,” another added.

And the location was by design. It was placed at the Bhakti Center in an effort to bring in a wide cross section of people to the only Hindu temple in Manhattan.