College Students Celebrate Diwali with Heartfelt Creativity

On November 16, 2025, students at Johns Hopkins University came together to celebrate Diwali in an unexpected yet heartfelt manner. With many away from home, a group of friends organized a vibrant gathering in the McCoy Lounge, transforming a typical evening into a memorable celebration of culture and community.

Vidhi Bansal, a freshman studying Neuroscience and Computational Medicine, reflected on the challenges of celebrating Diwali while living far from her family. Last year, she found herself preoccupied with college applications on the festival, missing out on the rich traditions that defined the holiday. This year, the absence of familiar sights and sounds made the day feel particularly hollow, as she received a cheery FaceTime from her parents, who lit 21 diyas in their home.

In an attempt to recreate the joyous atmosphere of her childhood celebrations, Bansal and her friends initiated a group chat to plan their own Diwali party. The excitement was palpable as they gathered supplies, such as tealight candles from a local store and snacks like Lays and laddoo for prasad. Their preparations reflected a blend of traditional elements and modern conveniences, showcasing how cultural practices can adapt to new environments.

As the group assembled in the lounge, Bansal donned a bright green kurta, joining friends in a mix of traditional attire and casual wear. The gathering quickly grew, welcoming 20 participants within an hour. The initial awkwardness faded into a sense of warmth as they shared laughs and created their own festive spirit.

When it came time for the aarti, Bansal retrieved her Bhagwanji figures to enhance their setup, aiming to evoke a sense of home. With shoes off and a circle formed, the group fumbled through prayers, relying on memory and camaraderie. They even found a YouTube video to guide them through the rituals, creating a makeshift but meaningful experience.

As the celebration progressed, the atmosphere shifted from solemnity to exuberance. The arrival of a Bluetooth speaker and a lively playlist turned the gathering into an impromptu dance party, with participants dancing in their socks to popular Bollywood tracks, using smartphone flashlights to mimic diyas.

Bansal’s experience highlighted a vital lesson: that growing up does not mean leaving behind one’s roots. Instead, it involves reconstructing those cherished traditions wherever life takes you. This Diwali celebration, though imperfect, embodied the essence of belonging and creativity, reminding participants that cultural heritage can thrive even in new contexts.

Reflecting on the evening, Bansal noted that while their celebration did not perfectly replicate home, it succeeded in fostering a sense of community and connection. Returning to her studies later that night, she felt a renewed sense of brightness in her life for the first time in weeks, recognizing that tradition can be preserved through adaptation and shared experiences.

The gathering served as a reminder that belonging is not merely defined by geography, but by the relationships and memories we create, regardless of where we find ourselves. As students like Bansal navigate their college journeys, they continue to weave their cultural identities into their new lives, proving that traditions can endure in diverse and creative forms.