Diwali celebrated amidst pomp and gaiety

The time-honored Hindu festival, Diwali (Festival of Lights) was celebrated as a Hindu Unity Day amidst mirth and gaiety on Sunday, October 12, 2008 at Centennial Olympic Park, Atlanta across CNN. The grand event, organized by the Atlanta Chapter of Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America (VHPA), was supported by several local Hindu temples, social and educational organizations.
The festivity began with the traditional lighting of lamps and prayer to the Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles and provider of prosperity and spiritual illumination. This was followed by devotional songs which amply reflected the true significance of Diwali - the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness and truth over untruth.
 

More than 1200 people were served a sumptuous lunch consisting of tasty Indian dishes and Diwali sweets, prepared by the local temples, were liberally distributed. The response was indeed overwhelming and the organizers had to re-order paper plates for lunch. The volunteers had to eat in aluminum foils as the attendance surpassed all expectations.

They were treated to a variety program of dance, music and songs. Young children from Bal Vihar (www.balvihar.org) and students from Tarang school of music performed Indian classical dances and played on keyboard the instrumental music. Old Hindi movie songs like 'Mera Juta Hai Japani' by Ashok Goyal of Andaz Group enthralled the audience. The outdoor setting was perfect for a beautiful Atlanta noon weather with cool and gentle breeze.

Adithya Prem, a young dancer, stole the show by his innovative performance of Bharatnatyam on skates. Another scintillating dance performance was by Julius and Marques who danced to the tune of Bhangra music from movie "Sing is King" with all its delicate and dexterous body movements simulating Robotics. Divya Srivastava from Nritya Natya Kala Bharti performed an elegant dance displaying the famed Rajasthani colors. True to tradition, the irresistible Garba dance music lured the entire audience into shedding their inhibitions to join the frenzied dancing.

Several artists spared their valuable time and offered their talent for face painting and Mahedi(Hina) for the event. There was an interminable long line of enthusiasts waiting to get their faces painted and for applying the aesthetic heena designs on their hands.

At the end of the show, a raffle draw was organized and the coveted gold necklace, sponsored by the local Malani jeweler, was won by Vidushi Gupta.

This year’s Diwali festival, a third in a row, organized by VHPA was, as expected, a grand success. The preparations for the next Diwali Hindu Unity day in 2009 have already begun and the organizers are confident that it will attract much larger participation from the Hindu American community in Atlanta.

Diwali is starting to have a special significance for Indian Atlantans as it is helping to foster a spirit of unity and camaraderie amongst all Indian Atlantans.
 

For more details and pictures please contact Vasav Mehta (770)365-6126