US President Donald Trump celebrated Diwali in the Oval Office on Friday with prominent Indian and Indian-American guests.
During the private ceremony, entrepreneur Vishal Gondal presented the President with a copy of the devotional hymn, Hanuman Chalisa.
Gondal shared details of the gift on social media, describing it as a sacred text recited for courage, devotion, and strength.
The White House scheduled the event for early afternoon, though official press access was not permitted.
Photographs of the ceremony showed guests lighting traditional diyas to mark the auspicious occasion.
Gondal offered prayers for enduring friendship between India and the United States during the lamp-lighting ceremony.
Images revealed a cream-coloured edition of the text featuring metallic corner protectors and lotus motifs.
Attendees included business leaders and public figures dressed in traditional Indian attire alongside dark business suits.
The official programme listed high-profile officials including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and FBI Director Kash Patel as planned participants.
Indian Ambassador Vinay Mohan Kwatra and corporate leaders like IBM chief Arvind Krishna were also on the guest list.
Visitors toured the West Wing and viewed historic presidential displays following the Oval Office gathering.
President Trump presented commemorative presidential coins to the attending guests as special keepsakes.
Gondal described the event as an unforgettable personal experience, praising the President’s personal presence.
White House Diwali celebrations trace back to 2003 when President George W. Bush initiated the official tradition.
President Barack Obama later became the first sitting US leader to light a diya inside the White House in 2009.
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