US President Donald Trump marked Diwali, the Festival of Lights, in the White House Oval Office on Friday, 6 November 2026, with prominent members of the Indian-American community. According to ANI and IBTimes India, the celebration included a traditional diya lighting, and entrepreneur Vishal Gondal presented the President with a copy of the Hanuman Chalisa.

The event came two days before Diwali 2026 on Sunday, 8 November, and brought together Indian diplomats, business leaders, entrepreneurs and officials. For Hindus in the United States and around the world, it was another sign of how widely Diwali's message of light, hope and renewal is now recognised.

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How did Donald Trump celebrate Diwali at the White House in 2026?

  • Diya lighting: the President took part in lighting traditional lamps in the Oval Office.
  • Hanuman Chalisa gift: Vishal Gondal, founder of GOQii, presented a copy of the Hanuman Chalisa.
  • Indian-American guests: leaders from diplomacy, government, technology and business attended.
  • India–US ties: the gathering recognised the Indian diaspora's contribution to American life.

Gondal shared photographs on X, calling it "a moment of shared light in the Oval Office." He wrote: "As the diyas were lit, my prayer was for friendship between India and America, and for the triumph of light over darkness."

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Why is the Hanuman Chalisa gift significant?

The Hanuman Chalisa is a 40-verse devotional hymn to Lord Hanuman composed by the 16th-century poet-saint Goswami Tulsidas. Millions of Hindus recite it daily, and many families keep a copy at home.

For devotees it stands for devotion, courage, strength and humility. Presenting it at a White House Diwali brought a familiar part of Hindu devotional life into one of the most visible settings in the world, and the moment was widely shared among Hindu and Indian diaspora communities.

Who attended the White House Diwali celebration?

Reports named these guests:

  • Vinay Mohan Kwatra: India's Ambassador to the United States
  • Vishal Gondal: entrepreneur and founder of GOQii
  • Vikas Khanna: Michelin-starred chef
  • Arvind Krishna: Chairman and CEO of IBM
  • Kash Patel: Director of the FBI
  • Jay Bhattacharya: Director of the US National Institutes of Health
  • Sanjay Mehrotra: CEO of Micron Technology
  • Marco Rubio: US Secretary of State
  • Ruby Dhalla: former Canadian parliamentarian
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A short history of Diwali at the White House

  • 2003, George W. Bush: began White House Diwali observances, held mainly in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building.
  • 2009, Barack Obama: became the first US President to personally light a diya at the White House, in the East Room.
  • 2017 and 2018, Donald Trump: marked Diwali with lamp lighting during his first term.
  • 21 October 2025, Donald Trump: lit a diya in the Oval Office during his second term.
  • 6 November 2026, Donald Trump: an Oval Office Diwali with the Hanuman Chalisa gift.

For background on how and when the White House usually marks the festival, see Diwali 2026 at the White House: what to expect.

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Why the White House Diwali matters to Hindus

  • Recognition of Hindu heritage: it gives Hindu customs and values wider public visibility.
  • Recognition of Indian-Americans: it acknowledges the community's work in technology, medicine, education, business and public service.
  • Cultural understanding: a diya lighting introduces a Hindu tradition to a wide audience.
  • A universal message: light over darkness and good over evil speaks across faiths and countries.

What does lighting a diya symbolise?

The diya stands for knowledge over ignorance, goodness over evil and hope over despair. For many Hindus, lighting lamps is also an act of devotion and gratitude, as families clean and decorate their homes, perform puja and share sweets.

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How Indian-Americans celebrate Diwali

Families combine home puja with community events: Lakshmi-Ganesh puja at home, diyas and rangoli, temple visits, cultural programmes and shared meals. Cities such as New York, New Jersey, Chicago, Houston, Dallas, Atlanta, the San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle and Washington, DC host large public celebrations. For your city's puja time, see the Diwali 2026 USA Lakshmi Puja muhurat, city by city.

Happy Diwali 2026 from HinduTone

As Hindus prepare for Diwali on Sunday, 8 November 2026, HinduTone wishes every family in India and around the world a joyful festival. May Goddess Lakshmi bless every home, may Lord Ganesha remove obstacles, and may Lord Hanuman give devotees courage and strength. Read our Diwali 2026 message to Hindus worldwide and share our Diwali 2026 wishes. Shubh Deepavali!

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Donald Trump celebrate Diwali at the White House in 2026?

Yes. According to ANI and IBTimes India, President Donald Trump marked Diwali in the Oval Office on Friday, 6 November 2026, with Indian-American leaders, officials and guests.

When did Trump celebrate Diwali at the White House in 2026?

On Friday, 6 November 2026, two days before Diwali on Sunday, 8 November.

What did Trump receive as a Diwali gift?

Entrepreneur Vishal Gondal, founder of GOQii, presented President Trump with a copy of the Hanuman Chalisa, the devotional hymn to Lord Hanuman by Goswami Tulsidas.

Who attended the 2026 White House Diwali celebration?

Reported guests included India's Ambassador Vinay Mohan Kwatra, Vishal Gondal, chef Vikas Khanna, IBM CEO Arvind Krishna, FBI Director Kash Patel, NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya, Micron CEO Sanjay Mehrotra, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and former Canadian MP Ruby Dhalla.

Who started the White House Diwali celebration tradition?

President George W. Bush began White House Diwali observances in 2003. The early events were held mainly in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building.

Which US President first lit a diya at the White House?

President Barack Obama became the first US President to personally light a diya at the White House, in the East Room in 2009.

When is Diwali in 2026?

Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) is on Sunday, 8 November 2026, in India and also in the USA, UK and Canada. Muhurat times differ by city, so use your local time.

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