Celebrating Diwali as a UK university student
30 October 2024By Amelia. A, Staff writer at Unite Students
Even though you may be used to celebrating Diwali with close family and friends at home, you can still celebrate the festival in your unique and memorable way. From decorating your flat, to attending an event at your university, or even hosting your own Diwali party. We’ve covered multiple ways you can celebrate Diwali as a University student studying in the UK.
In this blog, we’ll cover:
What is Diwali?
Diwali is India’s biggest holiday of the year. It’s known as the festival of lights and is one of the most important holidays celebrated by Hindus all over the world. Diwali is the time to welcome new beginnings and to celebrate the victory of good over evil, light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance.
As an International student studying in the UK and as Diwali celebrations begin to take place, you may be wondering how you can honour this important holiday. We’ve suggested a few ways you can celebrate the festival in your own unique way, to make this Diwali one to remember.
How is Diwali traditionally celebrated?
Diwali is a five-day festival and each day has it’s own special significance. It's a celebration of Light, Prosperity and Family. In India, the celebrations typically last five days, with the main celebration taking part on the third day.
Day One (Dhanteras)
On the first day, people clean their houses and workplace to remove any negative energy. Households may also go shopping for gold or silver items which help bring good fortune.
Day Two (Naraka Chaturdasi/Chotti Diwali)
On the second day, people decorate their homes with diyas (oil lamps), rangoli (colourful designs formed on the floor using coloured powders or sand) and flowers.
Day Three (Lakshmi Puja)
The third day is the main day of the festival and is known as Lakshmi Puja. On this day people worship Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity and Lord Ganesha, the God of wisdom and new beginnings. People light diyas and candles throughout their homes to symbolise the victory of light over darkness.
Day Four (Govardhan Puja)
The fourth day is considered the first day of the New Year in some states, when friends and relatives visit with gifts and best wishes for the season. This day is dedicated to honouring Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge and learning.
Day Five (Bhai Dooj)
The fifth and final day is dedicated to honouring Ganesha the God of new beginnings. It is a day to celebrate the bond between brothers and sisters. Sisters perform a Tilak ceremony on their brothers’ foreheads and pray for their long and happy lives. Brothers also swear to protect their sisters. This is the last day of Diwali and concludes the five days.
How to celebrate
Diwali is a popular festival, so it’s important to start planning your celebrations early. If you want to attend any local events, make sure you’ve secured your tickets well in advance. Equally, if you want to decorate your flat, make sure you’ve got your supplies to make for a memorable celebration!
Now we’ve covered what Diwali is and how it’s celebrated, you may be wondering how you can celebrate Diwali away from home. Here are a few ideas:
Decorate your room
Decorating your room is a perfect way to celebrate and it means you don’t have to worry about asking your flatmates permission to decorate the whole flat. You could use electric fairy lights or LED candles instead of traditional diyas which are a safer alternative, still creating a festive atmosphere.
To get in the spirit, Diwali themed banners and posters are also available to purchase online or at Indian stores. Another way to celebrate could be adding flowers and fruit, a traditional part of Diwali celebrations, to a decorative bowl to add a touch of nature to your room.
Get together with other Indian students
Diwali is all about getting together with those who share similar beliefs and values.
A huge positive about Uni is that there are lots of student societies and organisations, some of which organise Diwali celebrations for their members.
You could even check out their social media pages to see if there are any organised Diwali celebrations. Apart from this, you could also have a get together with other Indian students in your accommodation and at University.
Attend a Diwali event at a Hindu temple
Many Hindu temples in the UK hold Diwali celebrations that are open to the public. These typically include things like prayer services, cultural performances, and traditional food.
You can meet lots of people including families and professionals during the celebration, which is a great way to meet new people and increase your network in the UK.
Host your own Diwali celebration!
Don’t forget, you can always host your own Diwali event at your flat. You can decorate your space with fairy lights, rangoli, flowers and you could even cook some traditional dishes. This is also a great opportunity to share your culture with your British friends and friends of other nationalities.
Vanita Singh, a previous Unite Students tenant shares her experience of celebrating Diwali at her Unite Students accommodation.
"I had to share the incredible Diwali I experienced last at Unite Students and how it extended beyond our accommodation to a beautiful celebration at the Gurudwara in Loughborough.
The common area at Waterways in our flat transformed into a mini-India with the aroma of spices and the buzz of excitement. It was heartening to see friends from different corners of the world come together to create a Diwali feast that tasted like home. The fairy lights and rangoli added a festive touch that made it even more special.
But the magic didn't stop there. Some of us decided to head to the Gurudwara in Loughborough to experience Diwali in a more traditional way. The atmosphere was alive and the community there welcomed us with open arms. The prayers and the langar (community meal) were such unique and beautiful experiences that I'll carry with me forever.
Back at Waterways, we continued the celebration with music, dance, and, of course, delicious food. It was more than just a festival; it was a bond that brought us all closer. A massive shoutout to Waterways - Unite Students for making Diwali away from home so special. Your efforts to create a sense of family mean the world to me."
How To Celebrate Diwali in the UK
Diwali is celebrated in many cities across the UK, offering numerous opportunities to attend public events and connect with the wider community. Why not consider organising a group trip to one of the many festivities taking place across the country?
London's Trafalgar Square hosts the largest Diwali celebration, featuring live performances, food and activities for all ages. Leicester is renowned for it's grand Diwali festival, culminating in a firework display! Birmingham is also a great place to visit for Diwali, with celebrations including outdoor markets and other entertainment.
No matter how you choose to celebrate, Diwali is a special time to reflect on your culture and heritage. It is also a time to come together and to celebrate the good things in life.
