Hindu students to celebrate Diwali

To celebrate Diwali, a Hindu holiday that means "festival of light," many Hindu students at the University will string lights on their homes and leave interior lights on at all times.

Diwali "is one of the main festivals in India" said Aarti Dua, an LSA junior and treasurer of the Hindu Students Council. The festival marks the third day in five days of celebration comprising the Hindu new year.

Nipa Kinariwala, a Nursing senior, said Diwali is surrounded by excitement equivalent to Christmas in the Christian calendar.

The Diwali's prehistoric origins are rooted in two legends celebrating "gods defeating demon-kings" Kinariwala said. The first legend celebrates the victory of Krishna over the demon-king Nara Kaasura. In the second legend, citizens celebrated with light when the god Rama defeated the demon-king Ravana. Kinariwala noted that Diwali is "celebrating the victory of good over evil."

Diwali, one of the most important days in the Hindu calendar, is marked by prayers given by a Pujari - a Hindu priest- a traditional Indian meal and decorative lights.

People often buy new clothes for the occasion because it signifies a new beginning and the presentation to God requires the proper attire, said Kiran Sajja, HSC administrator and LSA senior.

Charu Negandhi, an Engineering sophomore and core member of HSC, said traditionally igniting fireworks and the settling of finances from the past year mark Diwali.

The traditional meal, called a Presad because it is blessed during the Pujari's prayer, consists of rice; dal, a curry dish; choley, ground beans; puri, similar to pita; and subji, a mixed vegetable dish. The Indian communities of St. Joseph, Mich. and Battle Creek plan to donate food. HSC also has solicited cooking help from local Indian grocery stores and restaurants such as Raji Rana and the Manali Café.

Negandhi said the Blue Lounge at Stockwell Residence Hall will also be decorated with dupata, long thing colorful fabric and religious symbols such as an Ohm, consisting of lights vailed with fabric.

Sajja stressed that the Diwali prayer and meal are provided by the HSC primarily to "provide a service for Hindu students on campus whether it's the religious, cultural or social aspects, and secondarily it performs the service of educating the University and Ann Arbor communities."

The Diwali prayer and meal are not only a chance for Hindu students to come and pray, it's open to anyone to learn about Hindu culture, Sajja said.

HSC will observe Diwali this year with a prayer given by a Pujari followed by a traditional Indian meal. The event is 8 p.m. in the Blue Lounge of Stockwell Residence Hall.

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