Asia Club Brings Community Together For Diwali, Navratri

By Marcus Smith ’27, Student Correspondent

The Hindu festivals of Diwali and Navratri occurred in October with commemorations across Indian communities in the Scranton area.

At The University of Scranton, these festivals hold significance for a large part of the community and the University’s Asia Club hosts a celebration of the holidays each year.

Diwali is the annual celebration of good triumphing over evil, commemorated as a festival of lights.

For Sofiya Magar ’28, a marketing major from Scranton and the vice president of the Asia Club, it is more than just a religious ceremony.

“It’s about unity, gratitude and the light we share with one another, bringing our community closer together through understanding and celebration,” Magar said. 

The celebration included a presentation on the origins and significance of Diwali and Navratri, food catered by Aramark, traditional Indian dancing and henna painting.

Even though Diwali is an Indian celebration, it is celebrated in many places all over the world.

“Diwali is celebrated across the world by millions of people, not only in India but also in many other countries where South Asian communities live,” Magar said.