Celebrate Diwali at the University of Exeter

Students have planned an exciting programme to mark the Hindu festival of light. It will take place at the Streatham campus in Exeter on Sunday, 30 October.

The event has been jointly organised by student members of the University’s Hindu and Asian Societies and staff from the University and Students’ Guild.

There will be food on sale and stalls selling bindi, bangles and incense sticks. Attendees can take part in dance classes and watch drumming and a dance performance in the University’s Great Hall, get their face painted and get henna tattoos. There will also be a firework display near the University’s XFI building after sunset.

The event will be opened by the Mayor of Exeter and University of Exeter Deputy Vice Chancellor (Education) Professor Tim Quine at 3pm. Following this the University’s Hindu Chaplain Ravi Nathwani will conduct a Puja, a prayer ritual.

Suhruta Jasthi, President of the University of Exeter Hindu Society, said: “We hope many people from the local community will come to campus to celebrate Diwali with us. We have planned the sort of activities which we would do with our families if we were celebrating with them, and we can’t wait for people to see what we’ve organised.”

Radhanjali Shukla, President of the University of Exeter Asian Society, said: “We’ve started rehearsing our dancing already, and making Diwali cards. It will be a really fun event and we are really looking forward to it.”

Ravi Nathwani said: “Diwali is celebrated every year by millions of people around the world. My favourite aspect of Diwali is the chance to meet and greet families and friends and exchange good wishes for happiness, as well as of course enjoying prayers and the Prasad - Feast of Offerings.

“Celebrating Diwali at the University of Exeter is important as we have hundreds of international students who would miss home. It also allows people from all backgrounds to come together enjoy and learn about different customs.”