By Amar Jethi
NHSF (UK) PR Officer
As Diwali, the archetypal festival of lights, engulfs our daily lives once again, we remember the triumphant victories of good over evil thousands of years ago by our Devas in a fashionable light.
Diwali celebrates prosperity, good luck, happiness, peace, love, forgiveness and various other ideals.
However it also marks a staying point in many modern Hindu lives; reuniting families as it did back in the kingdom of Ayodhya after the return of Sri Ramachandra from a 14 year exile. Hindus celebrate this most fervently with candles, lights and firework celebrations at this time. But what about NHSF (UK)? What do Hindu students do to celebrate Diwali in the UK?
Hindu students have a reputation for socialising; and Diwali is the biggest festival for this. Reuniting with old friends or making new friends; Diwali is the ideal occasion for doing so. Across the UK Hindu students have taken to arranging grand balls for meeting others, dining in style and wearing their favourite new Indian outfits. Celebrating goodness triumphing over evil also means that they have an excuse to party, break out the dancing shoes and rave to their favourite Bollywood tracks.
Diwali coincides with the New Year for many Hindus, thus it also provides the opportunity to make resolutions, wipe slates clean and make a fresh start. For students this also means taking the chance to mend broken relations, organise their workload and consider their efforts in their studies.
Let’s not forget that Diwali is a religious festival, not just a dharmic-inspired rave. At NHSF (UK) chapters across the country, students will meet up to discuss the cultural and religious significance of Diwali. Many will visit mandirs, pray for wealth, luck and prosperity especially for forthcoming exams from Lakshmi Mata and look to Ganeshji to remove any obstacles that they may face. Students also have the chance to learn more about their religion, take part in bhakti sessions and aartis devoted to Diwali and interact with their Sikh, Jain and Buddhist friends celebrating Diwali and promoting peace.
Students across the country will mix devotion with disco, chapters incorporating dharmic-inspired plays and dances explaining the significance of Diwali at their social events and encouraging students to take part and also conduct sewa for the local community at what can be a difficult time for those in need and those who require more support at such a busy time of year.
In a word, for Hindu students across the country, Diwali simply “unites”!
What are chapters across the UK doing to celebrate Diwali this year?
- Imperial Diwali Ball with Indian Soc Monday 4th Nov 2013 at Hammersmith Town Hall
- Brunel, City & Westminster present Diyan Diwali Ball 2013. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JWqjVjDAwA venue TBC
- Hertfordshire, LSE & St. Georges present Divia Diwali Ball 2013. Battersea Arts Centre 4th December
- Kingston Diwali Ball Date TBA
- KCL taking part in Diwali Show Date TBA
- Queenmary Diwali ball Date TBA
- Liverpool Diwali Ball Friday 22rd November 7pm The Dome, Grand Central Hall, Renshaw Street, Liverpool
- Manchester Diwali Aarti 5:30pm Monday 4th November Room 3.20 MMU Business School
- Sheffield Sapne Diwali Ball aturday 23rd November Victoria Quays Suite Hilton Sheffield 630pm