Festival Lights Up the Night

October 29, 2008

Author: Stephanie Meza

Source: The Daily Texan

http://www.dailytexanonline.com/festival_lights_up_the_night

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.”