One of the world's largest menorahs was lit at Grand Army Plaza in Manhattan on Tuesday to mark the first night of Hanukkah.

The gold-colored menorah is 32-feet-high and weighs two tons.

Lightings will take place each of the eight nights of the holiday.

Sunday through Thursday, they take place around 5:30 p.m., Friday around 3:30 p.m., and Saturday at 8 p.m.

For some, this year's lighting has special meaning.

"At this spot, 40 years ago, I lit the menorah with Mayor Abraham Beame in 1977. So it's 40 years. Biblically, Talmudically, 40 years has a special significance," one participant said. "So therefore it's nice to be here after 40 years, for long life and more, to light the world's largest menorah again."

The Jewish festival of lights commemorates the Maccabee army uprising against the Greek-Syrian kingdom over 2,000 years ago.

The holiday celebrates the miracle of oil that was only supposed to burn for one night, but instead lasted eight.

Menorahs are lit to symbolize the triumph of light over darkness.