Celebrate Diwali, the Festival of Lights

sky full of fireworks,

mouth full of sweets

Diwali or Deepavali is also known as ‘Festival of Lights’. It is one of the biggest festivals celebrated in India and worldwide, and we are having our own UCSF celebration next week.

Diwali night is the most beautiful and colorful night. Religiously, it marks the victory of good over evil. Traditionally, people make massive preparations for Diwali, and the festivities continue for five days. Lots of shopping is done, houses are cleaned and renovated, huge varieties of delicious mithai (sweets) are made. On the eve of Diwali, everyone dresses up in bright new clothes, gifts are exchanged and lavish dinners are arranged among relatives and close friends. People decorate their houses with lights and ‘diyas’ and colorful decorations. At night, family members gather to do ‘Laxmi Pooja’ and offer their prayers to Goddess Laxmi (Goddess of Wealth). Firecrackers follow the puja. It is a magical sight to watch the firecrackers light up the sky with colorful sparkling stars.

To spread this positivity, brighten our lives and celebrate our culture, the Indian Student Organization has organized a Diwali Bash at UCSF. This event will give the UCSF community a taste of our rich culture and traditions. There will be entertaining Bollywood dance performances by students, a chance to get traditional Indian henna tattoos, enjoy mouth watering Indian food and try your luck at Raffle prices.

Please join us to celebrate this Indian holiday and have a grand time!

This event will take place in HSW 302 on November 13, 2014 from 5:30-8:30 pm.