Importing Diwali: No Customs Fee, Just Good Vibes and a Little Bit of Magic

Diwali is one of the most meaningful festivals in India, celebrated as the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness. There are many fables connected with Diwali, but the most well-known is the return of Lord Rama to home Ayodhya after spending 14 years in exile in a forest. The people lit lamps across the city to welcome him back, and that glow became the heart of the festival.

This Diwali wasn’t my first one away from home. But it was special because, for the first time, I was actually out of India, and I felt the absence of the familiar rhythm of the festival very strongly. In previous celebrations when I was away from home, I still had many close friends and colleagues around to recreate the warmth of the day. But this time, I was missing the familiar sounds, smells, foods, and routines around the festivity.

But I found something beautiful here. The OSU community turned out to be the family I didn’t know I needed.

Among the many student organizations at OSU, Fisher Indian Students Association (FISA) is one of the most active and spirited. I joined their Diwali celebration hosted at the Mason Hall Rotunda. Many of us came early to help with the setup. We created rangoli patterns with colors and flowers, strung lights all across the space, and played bollywood music that instantly softened the room into something familiar. Students from different cities and backgrounds came together, yet it felt like we had known each other for much longer. It was the exact festive energy I had been missing.

And let's not forget about food. There was good, proper Indian food for all. For some of the domestic students attending, it was their first time tasting these flavors. Watching their reactions was half the joy. There was also a mehendi corner, where people took turns applying henna designs on each other’s hands. Some patterns came out elegant, some delightfully chaotic like baby octopus learning cursive, but the laughter around that table was unforgettable.

What stood out most was the way everyone looked out for one another. It was great to see friends becoming family. Some people were accompanied by their partners, while some were making new friends, and somehow, everyone left with new connections.

And no Diwali can be complete without fireworks. We all had the privilege of having a copious amount of fireworks with us. Back home, fireworks are banned in many cities due to pollution, including mine. So the fact that I had to cross just a few oceans to light sparklers? Irony surely loves me. But standing outside the Gerlach hall with a sparkler in hand and laughing with people I met only months ago, that moment just clicked.

We ended the night tired, happy, and maybe a little glitter-covered, with the realization that community is something we create, not just inherit. And festivals can travel with us if you can find the right people.

And this year, I found mine at OSU.