Hinduism’s Diwali, or “Festival of Lights,” is California’s newest state holiday. Scholars from the Department of Religion, Culture and Society in the College of Letters and Science at UC Davis explain its significance.

The Kumbh Mela pulls together multiple strands of India’s deep cultural past with its status today as the second-most populous nation in the world with international influence and ambition to reach for the stars. Over 400 million are expected across the duration of this year’s festival, which runs from January 13 through February 26, 2025.