Light Across Faiths: Diwali at Union Theological Seminary

Sunita Viswanath

On Monday, October 20, 2025, Union Theological Seminary in New York City celebrated Diwali with a special chapel service led by Sunita Viswanath, Executive Director and Co-founder of Hindus for Human Rights. The invitation came from Sandra Montes, who wrote with joy about the seminary’s partnership with Hindus for Human Rights and the opportunity to bring the light of Diwali into the community’s shared worship space.

Gathered under the grand arches and organ pipes of Union’s chapel, Sunita created a small but radiant altar—a long table draped in deep red cloth and edged with marigolds. At its center, small images of Lakshmi and Ganesha sat amidst bowls of fruit, glowing diyas, and the fragrance of fresh flowers. The arrangement symbolized abundance, wisdom, and renewal—themes that resonate deeply with Diwali’s meaning as a festival of light and awakening.

Sunita opened the service by sharing the many ways Diwali is celebrated across South Asia and among the global diaspora. She reflected on how, beyond its religious stories—of Rama’s return to Ayodhya, of Lakshmi’s blessings, or Krishna’s triumph over Narakasura—Diwali embodies a universal message: light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and community over isolation.

This Diwali, Hindus for Human Rights continues to remind us that celebrating our festivals in interfaith spaces is not just about cultural exchange—it is an act of solidarity and renewal. Bringing the light of Diwali into Union’s chapel reflected the heart of our mission: to connect faith and conscience, and to let the glow of one tradition illuminate all.