NEW YORK — It seems the allure of gold truly captures the essence of this year’s Diwali celebration.

The Festival of Lights, celebrated by South Asian communities, kicked off impressively with the glamorous All That Glitters Diwali Ball on Saturday evening. Guests were welcomed with sparkling champagne towers and elegant chandeliers at The Pierre Hotel on the Upper East Side.

The event was organized by a star-studded committee, including Huma Abedin, “Bridgerton” actress Simone Ashley, renowned self-help expert Jay Shetty, and GoldHouse CEO Bing Chen, marking it as a highlight for South Asian talent.

The hosts celebrated the theme of “South Asian excellence.” The atmosphere buzzed with successful individuals from various fields: from founders like Payal Kadakia of ClassPass to prominent investors like Rohan Oza from “Shark Tank,” and notable figures such as singer Jay Sean, comedian Hasan Minhaj, and actors Avantika and Maitreyi Ramakrishnan. The performer for the evening, Nora Fatehi, a Canadian-Moroccan singer and dancer who has garnered nearly 50 million Instagram followers, made quite the impression.

Encapsulating the holiday spirit of joy and prosperity, co-host Jessel Taank danced exuberantly with her “Real Housewives of New York City” co-stars Sai De Silva and Ubah Hassan on the gleaming dance floor. In a delightful New York twist, actor Kyle MacLachlan, known for his role as Trey MacDougal in “Sex and the City,” made an unexpected appearance.

Anjula Acharia, the event’s visionary, aims to elevate “South Asian culture into the mainstream.” What began 15 years ago in her Tribeca loft has evolved into a significant gala, becoming a premier event in New York.

“Diwali has always been an occasion to showcase our culture,” recounted Acharia, who also manages Priyanka Chopra Jonas.

Acharia, who was raised in England, shared her early struggles with cultural identity, saying, “I often felt embarrassed by our traditions. I would celebrate Diwali discreetly and kept it a secret. Moving to the U.S. allowed me to embrace my culture openly,” she noted.

The celebration of Diwali and this event signify new beginnings. Acharia emphasizes the importance of representing South Asians in mainstream culture.

“It’s crucial for South Asians in the room to feel valued,” Acharia expressed. She contrasted the lack of sponsorship at earlier events with the high demand for sponsorship seen this year.

This annual gala has become just as much about the food, fashion, and dancing as it is about celebrating the holiday itself, which falls on October 31 and November 1 this year.

The catered menu featured modern twists on traditional Indian, Moroccan, and South Asian cuisine, showcasing dishes like chicken masala, saag paneer, chickpea salad, lamb skewers, and vegetable biriyani.

“One of the beauties of being an immigrant in America is the ability to experience diverse cultures,” Acharia remarked, humorously adding that attendees were “definitely not eating cats and dogs.”

Nora Fatehi delivered a lively show with the AATMA Performing Arts dance troupe, getting the audience to cheer as she kicked off her medley with her own song “Nora” and then transitioned into popular Bollywood tracks, including “Dilbar,” “Garmi,” and “Saki.”

Everyone at the gathering looked stunning, and it’s no exaggeration to say that the fashion and beauty were on point throughout the room. The “South Asian black tie” dress code was perfectly met with beautifully beaded and embroidered outfits, and guests took the time to admire each other’s looks. Designers Falguni and Shane Peacock, who have dressed stars like Beyoncé and Kim Kardashian, were present, showcasing fabulous outfits, including Taank’s glittering sea foam green gown and Bozoma Saint John’s elegant white lehenga.

Acharia emphasized, “When Diwali is widely represented in the media and everyone is dressed up, it makes people feel acknowledged and accepted, which is incredibly empowering.”

The event serves as more than just a celebration; it’s a showcase of South Asian culture, as highlighted by Acharia, reflecting the holiday’s theme of light triumphing over darkness.

“I want to highlight the beauty of our culture and share our community’s achievements in America,” Acharia stated. “The progress of South Asians in the U.S. has been remarkable in the last decade.”