Diwali 2026 in Hicksville: Events, Puja & Where to Celebrate
TL;DR 🪔
- Hicksville, NY is Long Island's Indian diaspora Diwali hub, with active temples and a packed fall Hindu calendar
- Asamai Hindu Temple on East Barclay Street is the primary Hindu worship venue for the local community during Diwali season
- The festival arc runs from Navratri (Oct 11) through Dussehra (Oct 20) — plan your calendar and temple visits early
- Afghan Hindu Association INC and Guru Nanak Darbar Of Long Island reflect the multicultural character of Hicksville's Desi community
- LIRR to Hicksville station is the smartest way to arrive on busy festival nights — parking near Barclay Street fills fast
Hicksville and the Long Island Indian Community
Hicksville sits at a geographic sweet spot on Long Island — well-connected by LIRR to Penn Station and surrounded by one of the largest South Asian diaspora populations in the northeastern United States. The Indian community here has grown steadily over the past two decades, and Diwali has become one of the most visible annual cultural events across Nassau County.
The Hindu calendar in fall 2026 builds toward Diwali through a packed sequence of observances. Krishna Janmashtami 2026 kicks things off on September 4. Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 follows on September 14, marking the start of the extended festival season and drawing community gatherings across the area. From there, the calendar runs through Ekadashi on September 22, Pradosh Vrat on September 24, Purnima on September 26, and Sankashti Chaturthi on September 29 before October's even denser schedule begins.
The pivotal October dates: Ekadashi on October 6, Pradosh Vrat on October 8, Amavasya on October 10, Navratri 2026 beginning October 11, Durga Ashtami on October 18, Dussehra / Vijayadashami on October 20, and Ekadashi again on October 21. This arc sets the devotional and cultural stage for Diwali in the weeks that follow.
Temples and Places of Worship in Hicksville
Asamai Hindu Temple
Asamai Hindu Temple at 80 East Barclay Street is the anchor institution for the Hindu community in Hicksville. The temple holds regular puja services and significantly expands its programming during major festivals. For Diwali, the temple typically hosts evening aarti, Lakshmi puja, and community gatherings. Their website at asamai.com publishes festival-specific schedules closer to the event. If you are new to the area or visiting for the first time, this is the first place to check — and the first calendar to save.
Afghan Hindu Association INC
Also located at 80 East Barclay Street, Hicksville, NY 11801, Afghan Hindu Association INC represents a historically significant segment of the local Desi population. Afghan Hindus have settled in meaningful numbers across the New York metro area, and their community organizations play an active role in broader Hindu festival celebrations including Diwali. Their presence on Barclay Street alongside Asamai Hindu Temple makes that address a genuine multi-congregation spiritual gathering point.
Sri Ram Temple INC
Sri Ram Temple INC, registered at PO Box 500, Hicksville, NY 11802, serves a dedicated congregation with a focus on Vaishnava devotion. The temple participates in Diwali programming and holds Ram-focused observances throughout the year. For current event details, reaching out through community networks or the temple directly is the reliable path.
Guru Nanak Darbar Of Long Island
Guru Nanak Darbar Of Long Island at 11 Broadway serves Hicksville's Sikh community. Bandi Chhor Divas — the Sikh celebration that coincides with the Diwali period — is observed here. The gurdwara offers langar and a welcoming environment for community members and visitors across backgrounds.
The Full Diwali Season Calendar for 2026
For families and individuals who observe the complete fall Hindu calendar, 2026 offers a densely packed October. The Navratri sequence starting October 11 runs nine nights of garba, dandiya, and evening prayers. Durga Ashtami on October 18 honors the goddess at the height of Navratri. Dussehra / Vijayadashami on October 20 marks the culmination of that nine-night arc before the Diwali preparations intensify.
The Amavasya on October 10 — the no-moon night before Navratri — carries special significance in many regional Hindu traditions as a day of ancestor remembrance and charitable giving. Families observing Pitru Paksha traditions mark this date carefully.
Ganesh Chaturthi on September 14 is often the first major community gathering of the fall season, and many Indian cultural associations use it as the occasion for their first major event of the year. Community organizations that are active at Ganesh Chaturthi tend to be the same ones running Diwali events — staying connected in September pays off in the lead-up to Diwali.
For working families juggling school calendars, the compressed October schedule means requesting time off in advance is essential. Multiple observances fall on weekdays in 2026, and Indian-owned businesses in the area often close early or adjust hours around Diwali.
Insider Tip: The Indian community WhatsApp networks in Hicksville move faster than any public event platform. If you want early access to Diwali event details — puja times, community dinners, cultural programs, fireworks — getting added to a temple's or community organization's WhatsApp broadcast list is the real insider move. Ask at Asamai Hindu Temple or any Indian grocery on Newbridge Road. Most event details only hit public channels a week or two before the festival, while WhatsApp groups carry information weeks in advance.
Shopping and Food During the Diwali Season
Hicksville's Indian commercial strip along Newbridge Road and the surrounding blocks stocks up for Diwali season reliably. Mithai — kaju katli, besan ladoo, motichoor, gulab jamun — begins arriving at sweet shops from mid-October. Rangoli colors, diyas, pooja thalis, incense, and decorative lights fill shelves that empty quickly after the first week of October.
For Indian clothing — lehengas, salwar kameez, sherwanis, kurtas — shops in Hicksville and the surrounding Westbury corridor carry festival inventory. Alterations take time, so shopping in September or early October is strongly advised. The week before Diwali is not the time to be looking for a last-minute alteration appointment.
Indian grocery stores stock puja essentials year-round but bring in specialized items — particular types of ghee, specific rice varieties for prasad, specific flowers for Lakshmi puja — in the weeks before Diwali.
FAQ
Q: What are the main Diwali temples in Hicksville for 2026? A: Asamai Hindu Temple on East Barclay Street is the primary venue. Afghan Hindu Association INC shares the same Barclay Street address. Sri Ram Temple INC also serves the local Hindu community.
Q: When does Navratri start in 2026? A: Navratri 2026 begins October 11. Durga Ashtami falls on October 18 and Dussehra / Vijayadashami is October 20.
Q: Is Hicksville accessible from New York City for Diwali? A: Yes. The LIRR Hicksville station is on the Port Jefferson and Oyster Bay lines, roughly 40–50 minutes from Penn Station. The station puts you within walking distance of the Barclay Street temple cluster.
Q: Does Guru Nanak Darbar Of Long Island celebrate Diwali? A: The gurdwara observes Bandi Chhor Divas, which coincides with the Diwali season. It is located at 11 Broadway, Hicksville.
Q: When should I arrive for Diwali puja at Asamai Hindu Temple? A: Lakshmi puja is traditionally done after sunset. Arriving 30–45 minutes before scheduled aarti is wise, especially on the main Diwali night. Check asamai.com for the specific 2026 schedule.
Bottom Line: Hicksville is a fully functional Diwali hub for Long Island's Indian and South Asian community. Asamai Hindu Temple, Sri Ram Temple INC, Afghan Hindu Association INC, and Guru Nanak Darbar Of Long Island provide a complete range of Hindu and Sikh observances across the festival season. The fall calendar running from Ganesh Chaturthi through Navratri and Dussehra makes this an extended celebration — not just a single-night event. Take the LIRR, check asamai.com early, and connect with community networks before October to stay ahead of the programming.