Happy Diwali from the Immigrantly Family

October 20, 2025 • Read in 4 minutes

Happy Diwali from the Immigrantly & Hyphenly team! 🪔✨

As the holiday season approaches, finding joy feels harder than ever, especially amid the turbulence of U.S. politics. But maybe that’s exactly why we need Diwali right now: a reminder that light triumphs over darkness.

So, what is Diwali? And who celebrates it?

Diwali is one of the most significant Hindu festivals, though versions of it are celebrated by communities across South and Southeast Asia. Homes are cleaned and lit with candles and diyas, floors glow with colorful rangolis, and tables overflow with sweets shared among loved ones.

In the U.S., 5.2 million people identify as Indian American, making up 21% of the Asian American population. And Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and California have officially recognized Diwali as a state holiday: a bright sign of how deeply the festival has become woven into American life.

For many Hindus, Diwali is connected to the day of Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya with his wife Sita after defeating the demon, Ravana. If you don’t know who these Hindu deities are, fear not. We have just the recommendation for you.

To commemorate 40 years of diplomatic relations between India and Japan, Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama was released.

This 1990s anime masterpiece brought together Indian animation pioneer Ram Mohan and Japanese director Koichi Sasaki. The collaboration produced over 100,000 hand-drawn cels, many by animators who worked with Hayao Miyazaki.

Forgotten after its initial release, the film was remastered and re-released in 2024, sparking a revival among Indian millennials and anime fans alike. It’s a stunning example of how art and diplomacy can coexist and how ancient epics continue to find new audiences. If you want to feast on the visuals of this epic journey, watch the film here.

So, what’s your favorite adaptation of an epic? Send us your recommendations and we will feature your answers on our Instagram.

With love and light,

Team Hyphenly

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Hyphenly curates the latest news, art, and businesses from immigrants around the world. Have a tip or story we should feature? We’d love to hear from you.