Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop Honors Nepali Festivals Dashain and Tihar with Proclamation

Mayor Steven M. Fulop’s City Proclamation honoring Nepali community’s Dashain and Tihar festivals.

Exclusive: JERSEY CITY, NJ—The Mayor of Jersey City, Steven M. Fulop, has issued a City Proclamation officially recognizing and honoring the significant Nepali festivals of Dashain and Tihar.

Mayor Fulop stated, "the City of Jersey City is proud to recognize the Dashain and Tihar Festivals of Nepali communities on Wednesday October 1, 2025… As Mayor of Jersey City, I hereby recognize and honor the celebration of these festivals and encourage all residents to partake in their spirit. We honor the Nepali community for their contributions to our city and commend the commitment of all residents in promoting diversity, inclusivity, and respect for rich cultural traditions."

This official recognition initiative was spearheaded by Dr. Bishnu Maya Pariyar, the Mayor's Member for the Women Advisory Board.

The proclamation highlights the cultural significance of the festivals:

• Dashain is recognized for symbolizing the victory of good over evil, commemorating the triumph of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura, and fostering a sense of community, heritage, and cultural pride among Nepali-American residents.

• Tihar (also known as Deepawali or Diwali) is noted as a vibrant, five-day festival that celebrates life, love, and unity, and showcases the Nepali people's deep respect and gratitude for animals, nature, and family bonds.

Here’s full transcript of the proclamation by Mayor Fulop:

OFFICE OF THE MAYOR

CITY OF JERSEY CITY

NEW JERSEY

STEVEN M. FULOP

MAYOR

Proclamation

Recognizing

Dashain and Tihar Festivals

WHEREAS, the City of Jersey City is proud to recognize the Dashain and Tihar Festivals of Nepali communities on Wednesday October 1, 2025; and

WHEREAS, Tihar, also known as Deepawali or Diwali, is a vibrant and cherished five-day festival celebrated by the Nepali community, deeply rooted in traditions, mythology, and the celebration of life, love, and unity; and

WHEREAS, Dashain symbolizes the victory of good over evil, commemorating the triumph of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura, as well as the victory of Lord Rama over the demon king Ravana, which is similarly honored during Dussehra in India; the Dashain Festival fosters a sense of community, heritage, and cultural pride among the Nepali-American residents of Jersey City, and its celebration enriches the multicultural fabric of our diverse city; and

WHEREAS, the festival of Tihar showcases the profound respect and gratitude Nepali people have for animals, their cultural heritage, and the bonds within families, reflecting the diversity and beauty of Nepali culture. Tihar not only illuminates homes and hearts with the brilliance of lights, but also fosters a spirit of unity, gratitude, and respect for nature, animals, and family bonds, leaving a lasting impression on all who participate in or witness its celebrations; and

WHEREAS, the Dashain and Tihar festivals serve as an opportunity for all residents to learn about and celebrate the traditions of their neighbors, while promoting unity, mutual respect, harmony, and the values of family, prosperity, and community.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT I, STEVEN M. FULOP, MAYOR of the City of Jersey City, do hereby recognize and honor the celebration of Dashain and Tihar festivals encouraging all residents to partake in the spirit of these festivals. We honor the Nepali community for their contributions to this community as we commend the commitment of all our residents for promoting diversity, inclusivity and respect the rich cultural traditions of all.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have set my hand and the Seal of the Office of the Mayor on this 1s day of October in the Year of Our Lord, Two Thousand-Twenty-Five.

STEVEN M. FULOP

MAYOR

A History of Honoring the Nepali Community

This is not the first time Jersey City has made history in honoring the Nepali community, thanks in large part to the work of Dr. Pariyar:

• First U.S. City to Fly Nepali Flag: On June 30, 2017, Jersey City became the first American city in the world to fly the Flag of Nepal atop its City Hall dome. A second flag-raising ceremony took place on September 20, 2021.

• Sister City Relationship: In January 2019, Jersey City officially established a Sister City relationship with the Indrawati Rural Municipality in Nepal.

• TPS Resolution: The City Council passed a resolution in 2015 and 2018 to advocate for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) relief for Nepali residents in the U.S. following the devastating earthquake in Nepal, making Jersey City the only U.S. city to pass a TPS resolution for this purpose at the time.

Dr. Bishnu Maya Pariyar, a distinguished Nepali-American social activist, played pivotal roles of those achievements. She currently serves as an Advisor to the Mayor for the Women Advisory Board and is a member of the Employment and Training Committee in Jersey City. She was also the sole Nepali appointee to New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy’s first-ever Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Commission.