Fireworks and lights lit up the streets in various countries as Hindus all over the world celebrated Diwali November 3.
Diwali, known as the festival of lights, is one of the most important festivals and holidays for Hindus and signifies the time when Lord Rama returned home from exile after defeating the demon king Raavan who kidnapped Rama’s wife, said Manindra Singh, cultural director of the Indian Students Association, representative for the International Student Union and a graduate student studying molecular and cellular biology.
“When (Rama) came back to his home in Ayodhya, they lit up the streets because they were celebrating the return of their prince and celebrating the triumph of good over evil,” he said.
The festival can last for multiple days depending on where it is being celebrated and the traditions can vary as well. However, the common theme of lights, prosperity and happiness remains, Singh added.
“We’d like to show the enthusiasm at home as we bring it here and show that it’s a festival for everyone, not just religious people,” he said.
The ISA is bringing the festivities to Athens Saturday night with food and a variety of performances.
“We wanted to burst crackers and celebrate actual Diwali, but the police procedure is too complicated,” Bhakti Shah, executive committee member of the ISA, said. “Instead, we will be using LED lights for decoration for all of the tables.”
Shah said she is most looking forward to the classical performances.
“We have a classical dance and two singers, one of who is a professor of American origin and then my traditional dance,” she said. “My dance is known as Garba, and it is the dance that Lord Krishna used to dance with his Gopis, a group of girls who used to like him.”
Benjamin Bushwick, a senior studying psychology, is volunteering at Diwali because he loves Indian culture and said he is looking forward to the food.
“I traveled to India a couple summers back, and I crave it all,” he said. “I’m taking classes on the Hindi language, and the opportunity came up to volunteer so I said I’d be happy to.”
All 300 tickets have been sold, but there will be an additional party on Sunday for people to attend, Shah added.
“We are going to play Garba and Dandiya Raas —traditional Indian folk dances— and dance to Bollywood songs,” she said.
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If you go:
What: Diwali 2013: The Festival of Lights
When: 5:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Baker University Center Ballroom
Admission: $7 SOLD OUT
What: Post-Diwali Party
When: 2:00 p.m. Su nday
Where: Baker University Center 242
Admission: Free
