To kick off International Education Week on the Troy Campus, the community is invited to a Diwali festival, one of the most important and widely-celebrated festivals in India, on Friday, Nov. 15 at 6 p.m. at the International Arts Center. 

Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a five-day festival that symbolizes the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance and Dharma over Adharma, said Neha Naik Dalal, Troy University Marketing and Communication Web Coordinator and advisor to the Indian Student Association (ISA).

“’Diwali’ is an abbreviation of the word ‘Deepavali,’” Dalal said. “’Avali’ in Sanskrit means ‘row,’ and ‘deep’ is ‘small lamp,’ so ‘deepawali’ or ‘Diwali’ means ‘string of lamps.’ One of the significances of Diwali is Aakash Deep, or ‘Lamp of the Sky.’”

The event will feature music, dances and other entertainment and traditional Indian foods. The Diwali festival is hosted by the ISA as a way to not just educate the public on Indian traditions, but to share them and welcome new people into the celebration.

“At the heart of Troy University, the Indian Student Association stands as a vibrant testament to the strength of diversity and the power of unity,” Dalal said. “We come together, not only to celebrate our rich heritage, but also to foster understanding, create lifelong friendships and contribute meaningfully to the global exchange of ideas. Through collaboration, respect and shared experiences, we create a space where every individual’s story is valued and where we thrive, both as students and as global citizens.”

The festival is open to the public, and tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance at the Trojan Center or the International Office at Hawkins Hall. Tickets are $10.

For more information, contact Dalal at 334-492-2669.