This post was written by Hatchet reporter Angelica Florio Roberts.
The Satyam club brought Diwali – the Hindu new year – to Foggy Bottom on Sunday night.
The celebration in the Marvin Center included performances by GW Bhangra, stations with Diwali activities and traditional Indian food. The event started with a Diwali Puja, a traditional prayer ceremony.
“In terms of cultural importance, Diwali is the most important celebration. Diwali is essentially the new year so it is the most important holiday. I think it’s the best one to get others to join,” Richa Nihalani, co-president of Satyam, said.
Diwali is also known as the Hindu festival of lights, a time of finding lightness in the world and within oneself. Satyam’s annual celebration, Diwali Dreams, allows Hindu students at GW to experience the holiday with students from across the University.
“Our events are really unique and important because they provide an avenue for students to really connect,” Shivali Choxi, community outreach director of Satyam, said. “These events ground me a little bit, let me reconnect,”
The student organization’s members hoped to share cultural and personal traditions with those students unfamiliar with the celebration.
“They [Hindus] promote peace and harmony, you don’t have to be Hindu to come to any of our events,” Vidya Iyer, co-president of Satyam, said. “There are a lot of good vibes going around.”
Although there are many different ways to celebrate Diwali, Hindu students agree on its importance and religious significance.
“The things that probably differ are the prayers. I know a lot of people go to the temples and stuff but you can do it at home. No matter which part of the country you’re from, people are celebrating it,” Nihalani said.
Presents and sweets are important elements of Diwali, and because the holiday is known as the festival of lights, fireworks and candles are also commonly found in Diwali celebrations. Students were able to substitute candles for fireworks at this year’s Diwali Dreams.
“Besides the fireworks, this is as Diwali as it’s going to get on campus.” Nihalani said.
