It’s Diwali season, and millions of people around the world are celebrating the Hindu festival of lights. In the days leading up to the festival, many people get mehndi, or henna tattoos, to symbolize their celebration of the victory of good over evil.
The South Asian Culture Club hosted a “Mehndi Night” at the Student Center on Wednesday, giving students the opportunity to get henna designs before Diwali.
The free event featured snacks from Chick-fil-A, drinks and artists tattooing one-of-a-kind henna designs to represent the uniqueness of every person.
“That’s what Diwali celebrates as well, just everyone being unique, coming together to celebrate what that wonderful festival is,” said Neil Vashi, a junior majoring in finance and event coordinator of the SACC.
Diwali is one of the most important Hindu festivals, as it represents the victory of light over darkness and the beginning of the new year for some communities. It is common in South Asian cultures to get henna designs before major festivals and events.
“Ever since I was a kid and growing up, I always saw my mom, my sister, my grandmothers, they always got henna before any family event, especially before weddings,” said Manav Patel, a senior majoring in mechanical engineering and secretary of the SACC.
The SACC provided design options for the event, but some attendees went in with their own ideas of what they wanted.
Raj Patel, a doctoral candidate in computer science, hoped to get a tattoo for Om.
“Om is like the universal voice. Everything is encompassed within it. So in yoga, when you have that breathing exercise that you do, then you breathe out. That’s the word or the sound that you use,” Patel said.
Manav Patel said he planned to get a henna design to honor Krishna, a Hindu god of protection, compassion, tenderness and love.
“The god that I worship to, he wears a peacock feather on his head. I’ve always liked it, so I would like to get it, just for fun,” Patel said.
Vashi said mehndi means togetherness. “This is just a small part of South Asian culture, and I really hope they take away that this means so much more,” Vashi said.
Editor’s note: This story was updated Oct. 20 to correct an error. The event was held Wednesday, not Tuesday.
