Rowan Embraces the Festival of Lights in a Radiant Diwali Celebration

By Hina Patel

GLASSBORO, NJ – Diwali, a beloved Hindu holiday, started up in the month of October and Rowan University decided to bring the holiday home to their students in the business hall. 

Diwali is a celebration of good over evil. Lord Rama defeats the king of Lanka, Ravana, and rescues goddess Sita. As they return back to Ayodhya, the people clean their houses and place oil lamps to light a path for them. The tradition of lighting oil lamps, also known as diyas, is a valued part of Diwali celebrations. Some even recognize Diwali as the festival of lights. 

Rowan’s South Asian Student Association (SASA) and Rowan’s Office of Social Justice, Inclusion and Conflict Resolution (SJICR) came together as one on Monday night to host Diwali Night, a celebration full of music, food and activities. 

"Diwali night had a great turnout and as an eboard member, it brings me so much joy to see students sharing the excitement of their culture with each other. I love seeing new and old faces of SASA coming together in one room and bonding and celebrating," said junior and SASA Vice President Puja Brahmbhatt.

With almost 180 people in attendance, every chair was filled with students in their cultural attire sharing laughs, taking pictures against a backdrop and participating in activities set up around the room. They were encouraged to get crafty with diya painting, rangoli art, and bracelet making.                                         

Of course, food was a fan favorite. The South Asian cuisine was catered from nearby Indian Villa, consisting of veggie samosas, paneer tikka masala, chicken tikka masala, hakka noodles, naan, rice and gulab jamun as the dessert. With lines formed around the room, the food was a hit, and eventually ran out.

To top it all off, students gathered outside to light their newly painted diyas; a beautiful representation of light overpowering darkness. 

Rowan SASA President Mohini Gulati, a senior biological sciences student, said she hoped this event fostered a sense of bonding between students.

"The Festival of Lights allows there to be a bond between Hindu faculty, students and especially the international students. It gives the chance for international students to celebrate a big Hindu holiday even though they don’t have immediate family around them to celebrate,” she said. “It gives them a taste of home even when it comes to the food that was chosen for the night and the activities."

Rowan University’s student-run newspaper, The Whit, also covered Diwali Night. Check out the article here!

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