Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill in October to make Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights, a statewide holiday, according to The Associated Press.

Under the new law, which goes into effect Jan. 1, Newsom will authorize public schools and colleges to close on Diwali, and those who celebrate it could get their absences excused, according to The Associated Press.

Gurpreet Bhatia, a student support specialist, said Diwali is a holiday celebrated over five days to mark the triumph of light over darkness and evil.

Bhatia said the holiday means giving thanks and prosperity, so to have more time off to celebrate it would help her and her family.

“I celebrate it with my family. We go to the temple and we pray for a good future and just be thankful for all of the good that we do have,” Bhatia said.

Bhatia said she used to not be able to do everything she wanted to for Diwali because of her schedule, but now with the opportunity to have the day off, she can get the full experience.

“I have always worked on Diwali and usually celebrate in the evenings and dress up to go to the temple, but now it can be a whole day thing,” she said. “Now that we have the whole day off, I can participate early and do more.”

Sonya Sharma, an 18-year-old biology major who celebrates Diwali, said that she finds it very exciting.

“I am happy that there is that law now because I feel like it’s kind of overlooked – the whole holiday, in general,” Sharma said. “For it being a festival of lights, I feel like it is a really beautiful thing.”

Diwali is celebrated by the Hindu, Buddhist, Jain and Sikh communities and celebrations can vary depending on religion and region, according to The Associated Press.

“The Hindu culture celebrates it by going to the temple and lighting the lamps and praying while the Sikh culture celebrate by going to their Sikh temples and lighting the candles and praying there,” Bhatia said.

Sharma said the excused absences would help a lot with the celebration.

“We usually do like five-day-long prayers, it’s exciting,” Sharma said

Nhi Ho, an 18-year-old art major said that it is a great opportunity for those who celebrate to get the time off they need.

“I like that they are able to express their religious holiday,” Ho said. “People can take time off to celebrate wherever they need to celebrate and I think that’s great.”

Abdulhavi Altahan, a 19-year-old political science and English major said the new law will bring togetherness.

“It includes inclusion now and more people can celebrate what they enjoy, what they like, and what they believe in,” Altahan said. “I don’t celebrate it, but now I can experience these new cultures and on the bright side, I may get a day off now.”

Altahan said that he will take this opportunity to understand the holiday and know more about the customs and traditions.

“I hope that I can celebrate it and experience it and learn more about the culture,” Altahan said.