Diwali, the festival of lights celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains, lasts five days beginning Nov. 12. The main day of celebrations took place Nov. 14. Some Diwali traditions include lighting lanterns and candles, making rangoli designs and setting off fireworks.

Indian student and President of the South Asia Club Tarika Roy (’21) said that she enjoys celebrating Diwali.

“It celebrates the light, and what we’re grateful for and like those kinds of things,” she said. “It’s a very happy festival and time of year. ”

Furthermore, people celebrating Diwali usually visit their relatives and indulge in a large family meal. Roy said the celebration looked different this year due to the pandemic.

“Usually Diwali is a great time to be with extended family,” she said. “However, due to COVID this year, it couldn’t be as big as usual.”

To explain the festival in more detail, the South Asia Club put up a display in the Orange staircase. Roy said the aim of the display was to unite and bring attention to an important holiday celebrated by many South Asian members of the community.

“It was just meant to be there and bring in some festivity and allow people from the South Asian community to feel like their cultures and traditions were being acknowledged,” she said.

Roy also said that clubs play a crucial role in promoting a safe cultural environment on campus.

“It’s great that cultural clubs are allowed to express themselves, and be proud, safe and comfortable with what they celebrate,” she said.