Alumni Hall was brimming with Indian students along with their families and friends on Nov. 3 in celebration of the Diwali Festival of Lights.
The gathering, sponsored by the Indian Student Association, was attended by many who dressed in their traditional attire, the ladies with ornate jewelry that made jingling music as they walked.
The Diwali celebrations at Northeastern began with a cultural show. The dance, music, and fashion show dazzled the night into a festive mood. The program ended with an open dance floor and dinner.
As students celebrated, NEIU’s melting pot of culture became richer with its spicy flavors from the East.
Diwali is one of the important festivals in India and is significant to Hinduism, Sikhism and Jainism. Diwali, also known as Deepavali, means the “row of lights.”
The festival of lights celebrates the victory of good over evil, according to www.diwalifestival.org. People celebrate the Diwali week with family, friends, fire works, sweets, and, of course, gifts.
Imagine the Christmas lights seen during December as oil lamps. Some may think of it as an easy way to burn down the house, but it marvels reality during the Diwali festival in India. Homes, business, temples, and streets are decorated with small oil lamps made of clay.
Diwali is the new year in Hinduism. It is the harvest festival which celebrates the story of Lord Krishna’s wife Sathyabhama killing the evil demon Narakasura. The Lord Shiva granted the wish of goddess Shakti to accept her as the left half of his body, and Lord Rama returned from killing the demon Ravana.
It is also believed that Lakshme, the goddess of wealth, will visit the home that is well lit. To welcome the goddess, people clean their houses and decorate them with oil lamps. According to the Web site, although the manifestations about Diwali vary in the different regions of India, the ultimate belief about the holiday is to find the inner light in everyone, leading away from the darkness.
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