The Big Picture: Diwali on the Quad

Diwali, Indian Festival of Lights on Quad. (Image by L. Brian Stauffer)

Illini bask in the glow of enlightenment as UI’s Indian Student and Indian Graduate Student Associations celebrate Diwali—the festival of lights—on the Main Quad. An ancient and traditional holiday observed by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and Newar Buddhists in Southeast Asia, Diwali has been an annual fall tradition, bringing light to the UI night for more than 15 years. Food, festivities and more than 3,000 candles invite Illini of all backgrounds to come together in the dark to share the light.