NYC’s Empire State building shines bright orange to celebrate Diwali

NYC's Empire State building on Diwali, Image courtesy: Indiatimes.com

Diwali, the festival of lights, was celebrated by Indians all across the world on Thursday with much enthusiasm. To honour the festival, this year, the Empire State building in New York city was all gleamed up in orange light.

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The historic event was organised by the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) in cooperation with Empire State Realty Trust.

For the inaguration of the events, organised by the Federation of Indian Associations invited Indian origin musician Jay Sean and Miss America 2014 Nina Davuluri to light the ceremonial lamp.

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The organizers, in a press release had said, “ We would like to gratefully record here that Empire State Realty Trust and FIA together have already illuminated Empire State Building in each August symbolizing celebration of India‘s Independence Day for almost over two decades by selecting vibrant tri-colours on India’s flag – Orange, White and Green. This incredible illumination has won the hearts of a growing Indian American community as well as global tourists.

“These repeated gestures by ESRT indeed helps in spreading ancient Indian Philosophy Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (The world is one family) and also demonstrates a great harmony in spirit and deeds between the people of world’s largest and oldest democracies in this Nov. 7th Diwali Illumination ceremony. Jay Sean the young popular Indian singer and Miss America 2014 Nina Devuluri with glorifying it by their presence and performance besides other invited guests.”

The gorgeous visuals of the iconic tower of the Empire State building glowing in orange left the netizens spellbound. Many on social media expressed admiration by sharing images of this mesmerizing sight.

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Along with NYC’s iconic structure gleaming on Diwali, the world’s tallest building in Dubai also had a special message and artwork projected on it on the occasion of Diwali. The LED projections on the building were part of the special 10-day Diwali celebrations in Dubai, which also featured this popular clip of a Dubai Police marching band playing the Indian national anthem.

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This is not the first time, both these buildings have taken part in the celebration of Indian events. In August, both iconic buildings were lit up with the Indian tricolour to mark Independence Day. The Burj Khalifa also celebrated Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary this year with a tribute to him on October 2, his birth anniversary.

OpIndia Staff: Staff reporter at OpIndia