AUSTIN, TEXAS, USA, October 29, 2008: Fireworks illuminated the night sky for Diwali, a traditional Indian celebration that represents the victory of good over evil. The Hindu Students Council hosted a Diwali celebration Tuesday night on the Main Mall.
Candlelit steps, with piles of shoes strewn at the bottom, welcomed Hindu and non-Hindu students to a ritual of mock sacrifice, called havan. The ritual was led by a priest and involved a fire ceremony, which was meant to bring prosperity and luck to the new year.
“[Diwali celebrates] a universal idea,” said Santanu Rahman, Multicultural Information Center program coordinator. “Anyone can connect to it. There is a huge visual aspect, but the meaning is very powerful.” “Diwali is the largest Hindu holiday of the year,” said Nikhil Nayak, president of Hindu Students Council. “We celebrate in an authentic style.”
It is hard for students to go home and celebrate Diwali traditionally with family, said Ronak Shah, council co-chair. “Our goal was to recreate the atmosphere,” Shah said.