For many Penn students, the phrase “Holiday Season” conjures images of snowballs and Santa Claus. Yet much of the world celebrates its most important festivals this month.

While the efforts of Hillel during the High Holidays are prominent on campus, other religious groups are also helping students maintain their culture and religion away from home.

Yesterday, the Hindu Students Council and Young Jains of America (HSC/YJA) held a puja, or religious ceremony, for Diwali. Officially beginning on the 21st this year, Diwali is one of the most important Hindu holidays and often induces homesickness for those separated from family for the first time.

Diwali at Penn

Rita Bagai, the Public Relations chair of HSC/YJA said that the annual Diwali puja provides an outlet for students to practice religion and find community here at Penn. The packed room in Houston Hall, filled with 300 voices chanting after a Hindu priest, was a testament to the event’s great need.

As this Monday marks Eid al Fitr and the end of Ramadan, the Muslim Students Association has filled the month of fasting with meals and prayer services.

Samir Malik particularly enjoyed this past weekend’s Fast-A-Thon, an event that allowed students to “share beliefs with those of different faiths and to hone in on the similarities.”

The inclusive nature of both groups’ events is critical to their success. These holidays can create a feeling of displacement even for the non-religious. Students of all backgrounds should have the means to create new traditions to supplement the ones they’ve left behind.

“Happy Holidays” to those celebrating this week. And to those feeling homesick: Utilize these resources to help create a home away from home.

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