FRANKFORT, Ky. — With the light of a lamp, young children sang what’s called the Shantipath, a prayer for peace, inside the Capitol Rotunda in Frankfort.

What You Need To Know

  • Indian-American Kentuckians celebrated Diwali at the State Capitol

  • Governor Andy Behear, State Secretary Michael Adams, State Rep. Nima Kulkarni particpated in the event

  • A University of Kentucky student shared why this is important to her heritage

  • This is the first Diwali at the state capitol

“It’s a very historic moment. I am very glad to have been able to take a part of this,” said Krupi Patel, a college junior.

The University of Kentucky student is excited to celebrate her heritage.

She joined officials and other Indian-American Kentuckians to celebrate Diwali at the state capitol.

“For me personally, I have always celebrated people at home, at my temple,” Patel said.

But this week she shared her traditions with other Kentuckians.

“At my house especially, we have always grown up during the time. All five days we light divas all around the house to make sure it’s all lit. It’s very pretty and then we also make rangolis, which is like a, it’s art that we make on the entrance of our homes made of like colored sands,” Patel said.

Diwali is a five-day celebration called the Festival of Lights. It’s celebrated by Hindu, Jain and Sikh people across the globe.

“It is a celebration that transcends borders and brings people together,” said State Representative Nima Kulkarni, D-Louisville. “It’s a time when we celebrate the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. This festival is not just a Hindu tradition. It’s a symbol of unity that transcends religious and cultural boundaries.”

Kulkarni addressed the dozens of people attending the festivities.

“It is so important to me, especially as I know it is to each of you, that we are here today in our state capitol to share this tradition. By doing so, we also strengthen the bonds that connect each of us who have chosen to call Kentucky home,” Kulkarni said. 

Earlier this month, Gov. Andy Beshear, D-Ky., proclaimed November as Hindu American Awareness and Appreciation Month.

“I’m honored to be here for the first Diwali celebration at our State Capitol during a time that we can reflect on the past year, a year of challenges, but also a year of promise for so much opportunity for all of our families to come,” Beshear said.

Diwali celebrates the victory of good over evil and normally falls around mid-September and mid-November.

“During this time, we’re always making sure that we have a positive mindset and that we are always spreading love and just like having fun together,” Patel said.