Diwali is the Hindu festival of lights and also celebrated by other Indian religions like Jainism and Sikhism.

The event, hosted by the Undergraduate International Indian Student Association, brought together students from various cultures and parts of the world for a night of celebration.

Attendees could enjoy traditional Indian dishes like Butter Chicken and Paneer Butter Masala, catered from East Lansing restaurant Sree Saffron.

UIISA president Sai Shrutshi Rajaraman said Diwali is the largest annual event for Indians and is a crucial time to bring both national and international students together. Rajaraman, who was born and raised in Dubai, said this event reminds her of home.

"There are people from so many different countries and nationalities, and they're all having fun," she said. "This is one way that we can really keep in touch with our roots."

A significant portion of attendees were international students, who Rajaraman said make up an important community on campus. This community is essential because it allows people to share their cultures with others while learning from other communities as well, she said.

"It's a cultural exchange," Rajaraman said.

Welcoming her friends and community to celebrate the holiday with dancing and food is her favorite part about hosting these events, she said.

"It really reminds me of home, when being with your family not as often becomes tough," she said.

Even if someone isn't Indian, they are still welcome, Rajaraman said.

"Anyone and everyone is welcome, whatever religion, background, nationality," she said.

UIISA secretary Nityaanash Parekh explained that Diwali is the celebration of the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness.

"It's very personal in the sense that everyone battles some kind of evil in their life, and it serves as a testament that the good will always triumph over the evil," Parekh said.

Parekh is also an international student and said Diwali is a holiday ingrained in finding community and expressing love, no matter where you are or your nationality. Either celebrating with his parents abroad or celebrating with a community of friends in East Lansing, both are important, he said.

When Parkeh thinks of Diwali, he said he remembers praying and eating Indian sweets with his family, and fireworks lighting up the sky. In East Lansing, he associates the holiday with his friends, Indian or not.

"My best friend, he's from Turkey," he said. "All of my closest friends, they've come all around the world."

Mechanical engineering junior Krish Gupta said he was fortunate enough to celebrate the holiday with his family in New Delhi.

"It's a very special core memory that I have," he said. "To create that sense of belonging with the community that I have here so far away from home is very special. That's why I'm here today."

Gupta said this event is special because it provides an informal setting to dance and enjoy Indian food with his friends while also wearing traditional Indian clothes.

Human biology senior Khushi Chhabra said she often feels left out when she looks at her friends and family celebrating abroad. Having this community of diverse international students to celebrate with makes that feeling go away, she said.

"As an international student you're away from your family," Chhabra said. "You maybe get to see them once a year. You just feel left out because you want people who understand you, will relate to you. So, it's super important to have this."