Autumn celebrations for most students at Gustavus focus on Halloween and Thanksgiving. However, autumn is also a time when the Hindu festival of lights, Diwali, is celebrated throughout the world. This festival means something different to various South Asian cultures and is celebrated by following different customs and traditions. For many it marks the beginning of the New Year, as the Hindu calendar follows a lunar calendar.
Hindu New Year is traditionally celebrated for five days after the 13th day of the dark half of the lunar month. One of the most common ways in which this day is recognized is by lighting small, earthenware lamps filled with oil and arranging them in rows along the parapets of houses or temples. The word Diwali comes from the Sanskrit word dipavali, which means “row of lights.”
The fourth evening of Diwali when the new moon is present is traditionally when the NewYear begins. Diwali is also a time for people to visit friends and family, exchange gifts, decorate their homes, feast and set off fireworks. Gambling is also encouraged during this time to help ensure good luck in the year ahead.
This year the Crossroads organization has an event planned to celebrate Diwali at Gustavus.“
Most of the places that celebrate Diwali have similar aspects to the celebration itself, but maybe a different variation of the story of why they celebrate it. We will be combining many of the traditional aspects of Diwali into one fun night, along with some variations on the traditional [aspects],” Sophomore Brittney Raasch said.
This will be the third year that the Crossroads program has organized a Diwali celebration on campus. The event will feature: “food sampling, colorful decorations, some fun activities and a movie,” Raasch, said.
The event will be held at the Carlson International Center this Saturday from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. The Crossroads program at Gustavus has hosted many fun and informative events on campus, like the day of fasting to celebrate the season of Ramadan. Crossroads events are attended by a diverse group of students.
“As global citizens, I think it is important that we learn about cultures other than our own. This is a fun and easy way to do that,” Raasch said.