Hindu Students Association

Dear friends, family, and community members,

For the past 23 years, the Hindu Students Association (HSA) at UT Austin has proudly hosted cultural and spiritual events that are always free and open to everyone, regardless of background or faith. Navaratri, one of our most cherished traditions, is no exception.

About the Festival

Navaratri, meaning “nine nights”, is a Hindu festival that honors the goddess in her many forms, celebrating strength, wisdom, and community. At UT Austin, we celebrate this tradition in a single, vibrant evening filled with:

Aarti – a sacred offering of light to the goddess to start the night with blessings and devotion.

Garba – graceful circle dancing around an altar of flowers, lamps, and idols.

Dandiya Raas – high-energy dancing with decorated sticks, symbolizing unity and joy.

Bhangra – lively Punjabi folk dancing that lights up the floor for everyone.

This year’s theme is “We Are Shakti” – celebrating the power of unity and reminding us that true strength lies within the collective spirit of a community.

Event Details:

October 3rd, 2025

⏰ 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM

RecSports Gym, UT Austin

Why We Need Your Help — Time is Running Out!

With the event less than a month away, we urgently need your support to make this night possible. Over recent years, rising costs and reduced funding from various sources have made it increasingly challenging to maintain free, accessible events for our community. To keep this beloved tradition alive, we are turning to you — our family, friends, and extended community. Even $5 — the cost of a coffee — goes a long way.

Your generous donation will directly help cover the following costs:

Sound Equipment – to bring music, prayers, and dance to life.

Decorations – to create a festive and spiritual atmosphere for the altar and event space.

Venue Charges & Personnel Fees – ensuring a safe, open space for everyone to gather.

Advertising (flyers, banners, posters) – to spread the word so more students and community members of all cultures can join in.

✨ Dandiya Sticks – colorful props that allow everyone to participate in the dance, even if it’s their first time.

Why This Matters

Navaratri at UT Austin is more than just a student event. It’s a space where Indians, non-Indians, Hindus, and people of all cultures and faiths come together to learn, celebrate, and belong. It creates lifelong memories for students who are far from home, and gives others the chance to experience the joy of Indian culture firsthand.

Donation Reward:

As a token of our gratitude, all donors who contribute $25 or more will receive a personal thank-you shoutout during the event!

By donating, you are helping us:

Keep these events free and accessible for everyone.

Preserve and share the richness of Indian traditions on campus.

Foster unity through dance, music, and spirituality.

With your support, we can continue celebrating Navaratri the way it was meant to be — open, joyous, and for all.

Thank you for helping us keep this tradition alive for the UT Austin community and beyond. Together, We Are Shakti.