Sharing Diwali with the Community

In honor of Diwali, a student-produced digital Morning Ex was shared this week. In addition, we wanted to share more about this important holiday celebrated by many in our community.

Diwali (or Deepavali) is the Indian Festival of Lights which is celebrated from Thursday, November 12 to Monday, November 16 in 2020. It is celebrated all around the world as a symbol of the spiritual “victory of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance.”

Diwali takes place during Kartika, the holiest month in the Hindu lunisolar calendar (which falls between mid-October and mid-November in the Gregorian calendar). The five-day festival culminates on the third day with the Hindu New Year, which also coincides with the new moon—the darkest night of the lunar month.

Families and communities come together for this holiday. They light up their homes with diyas (little clay-pot lanterns) and decorate rangoli (colorful patterns made from flower petals, colored rice or sand). Diwali festivities include fireworks, puja (prayers), gifts, a feast filled with Indian sweets and neighbors opening their homes to each other in community celebration. 

Enjoy the videos below to learn more and share in some amazing dance performances.