“Everybody celebrates (Diwali) back home,” Varma said. “Here in the U.S., where we don’t have our families, we just wanted to get the community together to celebrate this event — especially after the whole COVID period. It’s been really hard for a lot of people … and it’s just like sort of a get-together to feel that sense of light.”

The night began with Pooja, or a worship ritual which includes prayer to Lord Ganesha and Lord Lakshmi, intended to bring wealth, happiness and knowledge, Varma said.

A member of MSU Swara, a community of Indian classical musicians and dancers at MSU, sang during the celebration.

Bollywood music played during the event, and attendees performed an Indian folk dance, called Garba-Raas, to it using Dandiya sticks.

Following the performances and dancing, attendees ate dinner together. Paradise Biryani Pointe and Sindhu Indian Cuisine catered for the event.

Computer engineering sophomore Ishwari Kapale attended the event to remind them of their celebrations home in India.

“I missed home,” Kapale said. “That’s the main reason that I came here. Back at home. … It's like a grand celebration in India. To have this event on campus … I don’t miss home (as much) anymore.”

Public policy junior Shaurya Pandya also attended Diwali Night.

“I know a lot of people here, and I’ve celebrated this before as well,” Pandya said. “So it just felt like a fun day.”

Varma said ISO is one of the oldest Indian organizations on campus, and it caters to both undergraduate and graduate students.

“We are the ones who basically started all of the community of Indians on campus,” Varma said. “We want to continue this legacy over the upcoming months with a lot of new events coming up.”