Five US governors hosted their state’s first official Diwali
This autumn the governors of Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota and Washington each hosted their state’s first official Diwali, at the governor’s home or the state capitol.
8 November 2026
The five events were set up by the Consulate General of India in Seattle, with Indian American groups in each state. They ran from the middle of October to the first week of November.
At each one the governor lit a tall brass oil lamp, the way Diwali events in India often begin.
Idaho, 16 October
Idaho went first. Governor Brad Little held it in the rotunda of the State Capitol in Boise.
He said Diwali reminds us of the importance of choosing kindness, pursuing knowledge and serving others. Senator Jim Risch spoke too. “Hope does overcome despair, and light does overcome darkness,” he said.
Nebraska, 20 October
Four days later it was Nebraska, at the governor’s residence in Lincoln. Governor Jim Pillen told families to keep their traditions going. “Never, ever, ever let the light go out!” he said.
Congressman Don Bacon came as well.
Montana, 26 October
In Montana, Governor Greg Gianforte hosted at the governor’s mansion in Helena. “We love bringing people together from many different cultures and backgrounds,” he said.
Gulf News reported a “London Thumakda” moment there, after the Bollywood wedding song.
North Dakota, 29 October
North Dakota’s governor, Kelly Armstrong, held his at the governor’s residence in Bismarck, with the first lady, Kjersti Armstrong.
“Diversity is our strength,” he said. He also said people from India have done great things in North Dakota, and “they don’t always have to be big to be great.”
Washington, 4 November
Washington came last. Governor Bob Ferguson hosted it in the rotunda of the State Capitol in Olympia, with Indian classical dance.
“We are proud to be home to one of the largest shares of Indian Americans in the country,” he said.
22 cities, too
Nearly 200,000 Indian Americans live around Seattle. Mayors in 22 Washington cities lit the lamp in their council chambers, from Kirkland and Bellevue to Spokane and Tacoma.
Seattle, Snoqualmie and King County hold theirs on 10 November. On the same day Oregon’s governor hosts one at the State Capitol in Salem, which will make it six states.
The story behind the lamps is on its own page: why Diwali is celebrated.
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