There is a big, bright festival underway in India right now: Diwali is an ancient Hindu festival of lights, celebrated each autumn. The idea is light overtaking darkness or good overcoming evil, says Mayur Bhandare, president of the Indian Student Association at Murray State University. He tells Matt Markgraf about some of the historical traditions and stories behind the festival, and how Diwali is being celebrated both back home and this weekend on the MSU campus.
Diwali is a five day Hindu festival, the third day is actually the day of Diwali. Mayur Bhandare says people begin planning for the festival a month in advance, painting and renovating their houses. His home is under renovation for the festival. He says his mother is lighting dias around the house and preparing food items. His father is hanging lights around the house. The whole city is decorated in lights and the festival includes fireworks at night.
The first day is Dhanteras, celebrating the goddess Lakshmi Puja and wealth, income, business and prosperity.
Day two is Naraka Chaturdasi which, according to Hindi mythology is the day Lord Krishna and Goddess Kali killed the demon Asura, who was spreading evil.
Day three is Diwali, the festival of lights, where people exchange food and gifts, visit with family members and wear new clothes. On this day, people wear new clothes and celebrate prosperity. Lanterns in front of the house and dias inside are lit. The idea is to take out the darkness and bring in brightness, he says.
Day four is Padwa, celebrating the love and strength of husband and wife relationships.
Day five is Bhau-beej, honoring the sister-brother relationship, where brothers will give gifts to his sister.
Indian students at Murray State are celebrating Diwali in Winslow Dining Hall on Saturday, November 14 from 4 to 8 p.m. The event is open to students and non-students. They'll be serving nine or ten traditional food items and will begin with a ceremony to Lakshmi Puja, then teach visitors about Diwali, followed by a fashion show, a dance and then dinner. Winslow will be decorated in lights and rangoli paintings will be outside.
From Dining at Murray State University Facebook page:
Menu includes:
Main Fare-
- Chole Puri (Chick peas simmered in a spicy curry sauce, served with a traditional Indian fried bread)
- Veg Pulao with Paneer and Raita (A fresh cheese, and vegetable medley in Indian spiced basmati rice, served with a raw vegetable & yogurt sauce)
Sides-
- Gobhi Manchurian (Battered and fried cauliflower that is tossed in a spicy soy based sauce)
- Vada with Sambhar (Bean flour batter that is deep fried, served with a lentil based vegetable stew)
- Onion Pakoda (Deep fried onion fritters)
Desserts-
- Double Ka Meetha (Pan fried bread soaked in cardamom spiced hot milk and topped with toasted almonds)
- Semiya Payasam- (Vermicelli pudding with raisins and cashews)
There are around 200 students in the Indian Student Association at Murray State. Their next big festival is Holi, in March, this is the festival of colors.
