Celebrate Diwali with food, lights, music and prayer on Long Island

Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, celebrates the victory of light over darkness. On Long Island and around the world, the celebration starts with prayer and the lighting of the diya (an oil lamp) in homes and places of worship.

The holiday spans five days (Oct. 18-22) with the maincelebration on Oct. 20. It continues the following day with the bringing of traditional food to places of worship adding to Annakut, a large food offering to God. Here are ways to observe the holiday:

Oct. 5: DIWALI CELEBRATION

Global Harmony House, 46 S. Middle Neck Rd., Great Neck

"Lighting the Path to a Golden Future" features a Diwali exhibition that explores spiritual themes and includes festive displays from 2:30 to 5 p.m.; Diwali program with cultural performances and music, 3 to 4:30 p.m. (free).
 More info Tickets on eventbrite.com; globalharmonyhouse.org, RSVP: 516-773-0971.

Oct. 5: DIWALI FESTIVAL OF LIGHT IN HICKSVILLE

Asamai Hindu Temple, parking lot opposite 80 E. Barclay St., Hicksville

A puja prayer service and a prasad (food offering) will be held, asking the gods for blessings to bring peace, health and wealth, noon to 7 p.m. . Children can play musical chairs and other games and gather to light candles from 2 to 3 p.m. Free;

More info asamai.com, 516-433-4388.

Oct. 11: DIWALI CELEBRATION IN PORT JEFFERSON

111 W. Broadway, Port Jefferson

The festival of lights celebration includes henna painting; sparklers for kids; authentic sweets including gujiya with coconut, cardamom and raisins, and coconut ladoo; live sitar music by Dee Harris; and an Indian fusion, vegetarian and seafood menu (fee), 6 to 9 p.m. at the Curry Club. Free, reservations required. 

More info curryclubatsaghar.com, 631-751-4845

Oct. 11: 38TH DEEPAVALI FESTIVAL 

Overlook Beach, Ocean Parkway, Babylon 

The free festival features authentic Indian cuisine, Masala chai (spiced tea), fashion show, yoga and Zumba sessions, Henna tattoos, shopping bazaar and fireworks (7:30 p.m.), noon to 8 p.m. rain date: Oct. 12. The event will also include Rangoli and art displays and Ramayana Musical live dance drama. 

More info aia-ny.org, 516-603-5022

Oct. 18: DIWALI CELEBRATION 

2 South St., Garden City

The celebration includes a cocktail hour at 5:30 p.m., followed by a ceremony at 7:15 p.m. with live entertainment and dinner at 8 p.m. at Akbar Restaurant. Tickets start at $150; Hosted by American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin, Queens and Long Island.

More info aapiqli.org, 516-357-8300.

Oct. 12 and Oct. 22: DIWALI AND NEW YEAR CELEBRATION IN MELVILLE

2 Deshon Dr., Melville

The Diwali celebration begins at 7 p.m. and includes Chopda Punjan, a ceremony in which journals and prayer books are blessed as families pray for success and happiness in the coming year. The Annakut (food mountain) offering as per traditional Hindu cultural tradition takes place from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 22 at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir. New Year's Arti, 7 a.m. Oct. 22. Also, children’s celebration featuring traditions including praying, wearing traditional clothes and games with a focus on Diwali, 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 12.

More info baps.org/Longisland, 631-996-9237.

Oct. 29: DIWALI CELEBRATION IN NEW HYDE PARK 

1601 Marcus Ave., New Hyde Park

The event features the lighting of the diya and cultural performances including dance and music, 6 to 9 p.m.  at Clinton G. Martin Park (free).

More info northhempsteadny.gov, 516-869-7625.

Nov. 9: DIWALI GALA IN WOODBURY

8325 Jericho Tpke., Woodbury

The gala features Devendra Gupta performing Indian folk and popular tunes, 5 to 10 p.m. at the Crest Hollow Country Club. $150 includes a buffet dinner and entertainment. 

More info ranausa.org, 516-987-0053.