During International Education Week, Missouri Western State University students from India are inviting the campus and community to celebrate Diwali, the festival of lights celebrated on the 15th day of the month of Kartika in the Hindu calendar, beginning at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 17. The celebration is free and open to the public.
The festival gets its name from the row (avali) of clay lamps (or deepa) that Indians light to symbolize the inner light that protects from spiritual darkness.
The celebration will begin with a cultural presentation from a group of Indian students at 4 p.m. in the Hoff Conference Room, Blum Student Union, room 218. At 5 p.m., the celebration will move to the South Pond, near Griffon Hall off Mitchell Avenue, for a Firecrackers and Floating Water Lanterns Ceremony.
Attendees will be able to sample authentic Indian sweets as part of the celebration.