HUMSoc - Oxford University Hindu Society

14/10/2024

Sri Sri Shakti Puja

Hindu mind believes that behind the Universe there is pulse of a Mother heart. All forms of energy are feminine manifestation of the divine. During Navaratris--observed during the period of transition of seasons, when Cosmic energies undergo change--Hindus worship the energies as different forms of the Divine, Shakti.

The Hindu Soc celebrated the femininity of the Divine and it's energies, and divinity of the feminine, by performing Shakti Puja. Students and Professors of the University of Oxford participated. Our friends from Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, and from Jew Soc ( ) also joined us in the celebration. We are grateful to Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford --the first college of Oxford University to admit women --for hosting us to celebrate.

26/04/2024

Sri Shakti Puja: Worshipping divinity as feminine

The HumSoc celebrated Shakti Puja at the Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford marking Chaitra Navaratri. The Hindu mind believes there is a pulse of mother heart in the Universe, and this motherhood of divinity--as manifestation of power in all its dimensions--is worshipped by Hindus. Navaratri worships the divine mother in nine different forms. A homa or Havan (fire ceremony) is observed on the ninth day of this worship.

HumSoc observed the worshiped the divine in femine form and celebrated feminity as divine, through the Navaratri Shakti Puja today at (which is the first Oxford college to admit women students).

We were joined by our friends from (Jew society of the University) and Ames. We are thankful to the lovely Chaplain of LMH Dr. Stephanie Burette, who hosted us today.

14/02/2024

Sri Sri Saraswati Puja at the University of Oxford

The Hindu Society celebrated the worship of Mother Goddess of Knowledge, learning and Wisdom--Maa Saraswati --on the auspicious Vasant Panchami Day at the Chapel of the . Chanting of Vedic Mantras, Shankhnaadas, singing of strotras, and traditional Puja was performed. The significance of the occassion and relevance of its celebration at an Educational institute like was also discussed. The students were joined by the Hon'ble Vice Chancellor of the University, the Chaplain of the Pembroke College, the Hindu Chaplain of the University, the Spalding Professor of Eastern Religions and Ethics, and friends from the .
Through every act of acquiring, sharing and generating knowledge at the University, Consciously or Unconsciously, the worship of Mother Saraswati is performed every day. Today was an occassion to worship her formally. Prof. Irene Tracey, the Vice Chancellor of the University, suggested that this celebration should be made annual event in the University Calendar.

11/02/2024

Join us to worship the Mother Goddess of Knowledge on Vasant Panchami, Sri Saraswati Puja Day on 14th February at 1700 Hrs at the Chapel of Pembroke College

10/11/2023

Diwali or Deepawali is a Hindu festival of light; light, not just material, but the light of knowledge and spirit. The festival also marks the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana and epitomizing the victory of Good over Evil. Diwali instills an inspiration to move from untruth to truth, from darkness unto light, and from death to immortality. It is one of the major celebrations of Indic culture, and is now celebrated globally.

This year Diwali is being observed on Sunday, 12th November 2023. The Oxford University Hindu Society (HumSoc) and the Oxford Center for Hindu Studies (OCHS) are organizing a traditional Diwali evening at St. Edmund's College at 5:00 P.M. on 12th November. The evening would be marked by Music, Sweets and a taste of Indic experience.

Please do join

02/03/2023

OX Holi 2023 🥁🥁

Free entry! Open for all! Free colours! Guaranteed fun time! 😍

Spread the word ☺️

17/08/2022

We’re delighted to reveal that the Diwali Ball theme this year will be ✨ LUMINESCENCE ✨ We hope you’re excited as much as we are for what should be a bright, brilliant and enchanting night! Follow us on Instagram (oxdiwaliball) for more updates!

09/08/2022

Get ready for the most exciting event of the desi social season: Oxford Diwali Ball 2022! A night you won’t want to miss, be sure to follow us on all socials for more details, reveals and updates. ✨

01/07/2022

04/06/2022

Recently there were some unfortunate developments pertaining to Kashmiri Hindus. The OIS, OxSAS and OU took some stance through their emails, social media posts and public statements. Cherwell requested the President of HumSoc to, inter-alia, comment upon these stance. The suggestions of the registered members of the society were sought through e-mail to arrive at the statement. The statement, which is also published by Cherwell, is attached to this post.

24/05/2022

HumSoc chanting Vedic Mantras and singing Shiva Stuti at Sheldonian.

The University Tests Act,1871, removed the religious restrictions at the University of Oxford. By opening up to people of diverse faiths – or no faith at all – the 1871 Act made it possible for Oxford to become the truly global and diverse place it is today. Marking the 150th anniversary of the Act, the University organized a concert--Opening Oxford 1871 Concert - A musical Miscellany in Celebration of Diversity nd and inclusion, at the Sheldonian Theatre on 4th May 2022. Hindu Society of the Oxford University ('HumSoc') represented the Hindu Culture at the concert. Medha Suktam--a Vedic chant eulogizing the Maa Sarswati, and Shiv stuti was sung by the members of HumSoc. Some of the clicks from the event are annexed to this post. (Photo credits: Ian Wallman)

Hope that the principles of diversity, inclusion, and the spirit of--what Swami Vivekananda says--"not mere tolerance but Universal acceptance", continue to inspire the University of Oxford.