Performers at the Diwali event at Times Square, New York, Oct. 7. (ASB Communications)

New York City witnessed an amazing congregation of people at the center of Times Square, gathered to celebrate the Indian festival of Diwali (Festival of Lights).

A fun-filled day that highlighted cultural dances and musical performances, Diwali Bazaar and mouth-watering Indian cuisine, interactive diya lighting ceremonies and digital fireworks display.

Diwali at Times Square was celebrated, Oct. 7, showcasing India’s rich culture, art, heritage and diversity, with performances of various local artists like Avish Jain, Rianjali, Masala Bhangra, Bollywood Axion, NYU Garba group, Columbia Raas Garba and the famed Shiamak Davar Group, among many others. The festival started with the Diya Lighting ceremony on stage and followed by the auspicious Ganesh Vandana by Sparsh Shah.

Diwali signage at Times Square, New York, Oct. 7. (ASB Communications)

“The Light-Up Times Square Concert,” following the diya lighting ceremony, on stage and on the tallest screens of Times Square, was attended by the glitterati and the dignitaries such as the Consul General of India Sandeep Chakravorty; Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney; Borough President Gale A. Brewer; a representative from Governor Cuomo Office; another representative from NYC Comptroller office; Neeta Jain, and others.

The Light Up Times Square Concert showcased dazzling performances. Sanjeeda Sheikh and Aamir Ali, the romantic duo from Nach Baliye, presented scintillating dance routines. The attendees also enjoyed – Chammak Chhalo-famed singer Hamsika Iyer, who made the audience dance to her tune and Hey Baby-singer Raman Mahadevan; the crowd was left gasping for more by none other than the master dancer, the “chumeswari” judge and performer master Terence Lewis. The event was brought to an end by the new-age performer Mickey Singh, who made the young crowd sing along.

Performers at the Diwali event at Times Square, New York, Oct. 7. (ASB Communications)

The event was supported by Sankara Eye Foundation, a not-for-profit organization that is committed to eradicate curable blindness from India, Air India, McDonalds, Yupp TV, DirecTV Now, Hotstar, EventGuru, and others. Diwali at Times Square 2017 was also immensely supported by the media at large.