On Saturday, October 10, 2025, from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., the Arts4all Foundation, elected officials, community organizations, and New Yorkers gathered together for the Annual Diwali and Navaratri Festival and Parade at the historic World’s Fair Unisphere, which is the largest cultural community celebration in Queens.
More than 1 billion people around the world, 7 million Americans, and over 700,000 New Yorkers across Hindu, Jain, Buddhist, and Sikh faiths observe the holidays of Diwali and Navaratri, commemorating the triumph of divinity, light, knowledge, and truth, removing darkness, ignorance, inequality, and despair. The holidays occur on the new moon day in the autumn season, symbolizing divinity and light ushering in new beginnings, prosperity, hope, and unity, which is reflected by celebrators lighting diya and participating in prayers, service, and festive community gatherings. Annually the Arts4All Foundation hosts a free festival and parade that pays tribute to the World’s Fair and celebrates the holidays of Diwali and Navaratri at the Unisphere to highlight New York’s diverse arts and culture and support the advancement of human rights, global peace, and harmony.
Dr. Sumita SenGupta, the founder of the Arts4All Foundation and organizer of the celebration, said, “The gift of Diwali and Navaratri is the power to come together and illuminate our communities by lighting the Diya lamp of knowledge, truth, and hope to give us the resilience and strength to overcome our challenges, differences, and inequities. We host an annual free and inclusive Diwali and Navaratri festival to ignite the spirit of unity through light, community-connectedness, and peace. It is our hope that our Navaratri and Diwali celebrations will continue to inspire communities to unite in honoring their rich cultural traditions and ideals to make a positive impact in uplifting people and our world.”
The theme of the festival this year was “Unity through Light,” honoring the universal ideals of the Navaratri and Diwali holidays and the contributions of community leaders and organizations for their exceptional contributions to society. This year’s festival was the largest yet, bringing together more than 2,000 New Yorkers. The Arts4All Foundation served over 2000 traditional festival meals with a variety of dishes from the different regions of India. The food was provided by Punjabi Dhaba, Santoor Indian Restaurant, Taste of Italy Pizzeria, Hindu Center, The Sikh Cultural Society Inc., Baba Makhan Shah Lubana Sikh Center, Guru Nanak Darbar of Long Island, Harry Sweets and Snack, and Lala Sharma.
The elected officials who attended the festival and parade were New York City Comptroller Mark Levine, New York State Senate-elect and Assemblywoman Jessica González-Rojas, Councilman Shekar Krishnan, Assemblyman Edward Braunstein, Assemblyman Steven Raga, District Leader-at-large Hersh Parikh, and County Civil Court Judge candidate Edmond Wong. Aniket Mondal, Chief of Staff for the Consulate General of India, New York, and YiLing Li, President of the UCT International Culture Development Center, an NGO with the United Nations, also joined in the celebration.
Assemblywoman and Senator-elect Jessica González-Rojas said, “The South Asian and Indo-Caribbean communities’ rich tapestry of cultures and traditions are what makes Queens so vibrant, and the Diwali and Navaratri celebrations have become an integral part of our shared communal life. I am delighted to be joined with my colleagues in the legislature, Dr. Sumita SenGupta, the Arts4All Foundation, and our Queens community in celebrating the festival of lights and honoring our shared values of hope, light, and compassion that unite us all.”
Assemblyman Steven Raga, who presented a proclamation for Dr. Sumita SenGupta for her outstanding community service, said, “What is beautifully unique about Diwali and Navaratri are that they are holidays that not only hold cultural and religious significance but also shared universal values which resonate with all of us and strengthen our community as a whole. Here in Queens, the World’s Borough, we are honored to have leaders like Dr. Sumita SenGupta, who embodies the theme of light prevailing over darkness through her advocacy and service. Happy Diwali and Navaratri!”
Assemblyman Edward Braunstein said, “I am honored to join Dr. Sumita SenGupta at the Arts4All Foundation’s Annual World’s Fair Diwali and Navaratri Festival and Parade to celebrate the victory of light, knowledge, and good over darkness, ignorance, and evil—inspirational themes which we all hold dear and aspire to follow. Every year this beautiful public festival brings together our families, friends, and neighbors to celebrate the rich cultural traditions of our South Asian and Indo-Caribbean community.”
Councilmember Shekar Krishnan said, “Wishing everyone a Happy Diwali and Navaratri! I thank Dr. Sumita SenGupta and the Arts4All Foundation for organizing free and inclusive celebrations like Diwali and Navaratri for the public to enjoy. Diwali and Navaratri remind us that we are a city strengthened by the contributions of all of our people, and I am proud to see that New Yorkers from various backgrounds are gathered together to celebrate Diwali and Navaratri as one community, fostering unity, benevolence, and togetherness.”
The parade began at sunset and included a walking procession with a Jagannath Rath Yatra. Participants danced Garba around the Unisphere with rainbow-colored dandiya sticks and diya lights in their hands. he festival concluded with a sunset Diya aarti ceremony in front of Shri Ganesha, Shri Panchmukhi Hanuman, Shri Durga, and Shri Jagannath, illuminating the entire park with light.
Assemblyman Steven Raga presenting Dr. Sumita SenGupta a proclamation in front of the pictures of the late District Leader Uma SenGupta and Suprabhat SenGupta.
Audience at World’s Fair Diwali Navaratri Festival.
Madhu Sharma, Dr. Jagmohan Kalra, Assemblywoman Jessica González-Rojas, Dr. Sumita SenGupta, Asha Dua, Assemblyman Ed Braunstein, and Civil Judge Candidate Edmond Wong on stage.
Shri Ganesha Aarti at World’s Fair Diwali Festival.