Diwali

Join us for the UIW Diwali Celebration - Nov 7, 2024

Event is FREE for UIW Students, Faculty & Staff with UIW Student ID: UIW ID - RSVP Link

Ticket Prices for all outside guests ($5- $10): Buy your ticket here

All proceeds from ticket sales go to the UIW Asian Culture Club!

Diwali - Festival of Lights

Diwali or Festival of Lights is one of the most important South Asian holidays. Both a religious and cultural holiday, it is celebrated by millions of people of various faiths and across many borders. It represents the triumph of good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, and light over darkness. The the word Diwali, Divali or Deepavali, means ‘a row of lamps’.

It is a time for families to gather and perform traditional activities together.

• Diyas, small clay candles, are lit and placed in rows along the parapets of temples and houses and set adrift on rivers and streams.
• Homes are decorated, and floors inside and out are covered with Rangoli, consisting of elaborate designs made of colored rice, sand, or flower petals.
• The doors and windows of houses are kept open in the hope that luck, blessings, wealth, and success find their way inside to the residents.
• Families travel to come together, exchange gifts, don new clothes, feast, give gifts and money to the downtrodden, and set off fireworks.

Learn more about the history and cultural significance of Diwali

Campus Rangoli

Make campus beautiful with a campus Rangoli leading up to the UIW Diwali celebration with Asian Culture Club!

Rangoli is not just a beautiful art form; it is thought to bring good luck and blessings to the place it lies. Rangoli's symbolize beauty, hope, and tradition. Design depictions may also vary as they reflect traditions, folklore, and practices that are unique to each area or family.

Sign up to help create Campus Rangoli

Come with a friend and design your own Rangoli! Monday, November 4, 2024 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. in West Gate Circle.

Diwali at UIW

UIW has a long history of celebrating the Festival of Lights on campus with the help of UIW faculty and students. Diwali also called the Festival of Lights, is celebrated by millions of people across the world. Diwali, which for some also coincides with harvest and new year celebrations, is a festival of new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil, and light over darkness.

Share, learn, and experience the richness of this South Asian holiday through dance, music, food, traditions, and history! The event is open to UIW students, faculty and staff, and 1 guest. Must have UIW ID.

This year join us on Thursday, November 7, 2024, for a full evening experience.

Doors will open at 5:30 PM.

Experience the Puja Ceremony and altar with a fitting backdrop of the city lights and skyline. Also join us for traditional dances, musical performances, and a live reenactment of one of the many stories of Diwali. Attendees of the Diwali Experience will receive VIP food tickets for authentic takeaway South Asian cuisine at the close of the program.

Event is FREE for UIW Students, Faculty & Staff with UIW Student ID: UIW ID - RSVP Link

Ticket Prices for all outside guests ($5- $10): Buy your ticket here

All proceeds from ticket sales go to the UIW Asian Culture Club!

Due to limited seating RSVP's cannot be honored for late arrivals.  Arrive early, as seating is limited.

For more information email intl@uiwtx.edu

Volunteer for Diwali - Earn Service Hours

Help us make Diwali a great event!

Learn about Diwali and help us decorate and set up the Sky Room and Sky View lot for the event. Diwali also called the Festival of Lights, is celebrated by millions of people across the world. Diwali, which for some also coincides with harvest and new year celebrations, is a festival of new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil, and light over darkness.

The Decorations Committee will have to attend one planning meeting and then the setup and breakdown of the event. We will explore the significance of the Diwali decorations and help prepare and break down the spaces for the event.

Sign up to Volunteer for Diwali Decoration Committee