Hindu students reflect during Diwali holiday

By Jacquelyn Nixon

Daily Staff Reporter

Music, dance, sweets and prayer were among the offerings given by students to gods and goddesses during celebration of the Hindu New Year in Stockwell's Blue Lounge yesterday evening.

Diwali or Deepawali is a Sanskrit term which means "row of lamps" is also referred to as the "Festival of Lights." The puja, performed by Natural Science Research Assistant Sharada Kumar, is a service of renewal.

"Diwali is a joyous occasion for giving and sharing," Kumar said.

Kumar began the puja by ringing a bell to free the room of evil thoughts. She led the attendees in a mental offering of their best imaginable material things to the goddess Lakshmi. Kumar said by giving negative qualities up to the goddess they would receive positive things.

Following the puja, the bhajans or traditional hymns of praise, were sung to a steady drum beat.

The Kanna, a traditional dance, was performed by special guest Krithika Rajkumar, followed by the Aarthi.

More than 140 students attended the event sponsored by the Hindu Student Council. The service symbolizes the conquering of righteousness and the removal of spiritual captivity. Although today is officially the new year or Diwali, students chose to observe it one day earlier.

In her seven years of participating in Diwali, Kumar said the most amazing achievement has been the rise in student involvement.

The core members of HSC has been planning for more than a month.

"We got together to have food donated and we cooked a lot of the food we're offering," Engineering senior Suman Palakodeti said.

Candles, incense and lights adorned the altar. Some female students chose to wear saris, a traditional Indian outfit, and all were shoeless as they sat, legs crossed, on the floor facing the altar.

"Diwali is a widely celebrated holiday through out India, and as a result this program tends to be one of the biggest programs we have in the year," LSA senior Anjali Shah said.

Palakodeti said since students have certain expectations about the holiday, HSC "tries to recreate that family atmosphere."

This year was Business school senior Vikram Goel's first time celebrating Diwali puja at the University. He said he found it very similar to the services during his childhood.

"My sisters will come in, my dad will lead a song and we'll go around and say our thanks," Goel said. "It's a time to make resolutions and thank your gods."

Shah said that during the prayers her family wears new clothes and offer food to the gods.

"My parents would come to this Diwali, but they will be doing it at home," Shah said.

Engineering sophomore Neeru Khanna attended her first University Diwali puja last year and wasn't sure what to expect.

"I didn't know if it would be the same as back home, but it's a very traditional service," Khanna said.

ABBY ROSENBAUM/Daily

LSA freshmen Shruthi Sririm and Preeti Tijoriwal pray yesterday during Diwali, the Hindu "Festival of Lights." The ceremony, which included dancing and dining, was held at the Blue Lounge in Stockwell.