VHP (World Hindu Council) of America, Atlanta Chapter, held a grand Diwali celebration, Festival of Lights at the popular downtown destination, Centennial Olympic Park, on Sunday, Oct 16th. The one of its kind Diwali Mela, offering variety entertainment in a beautiful setting, has always been received very well by the Indian community and this year was no exception, with an estimated record audience of more than 2500.
The program started off with a Hindu traditional offering of prayers and Ganesh stuti by students of Balvihar Hindi School (VHPA) of Gwinnett and Cobb County and Balgokulam, followed by welcome speech by Atlanta Chapter President Kusum Khuranaji

The cultural program was a spectacular show of talent from the local artists, with melodious songs and beautifully choreographed dances, representing a variety of Indian States.
There was a mind blowing variety of styles, from classical Bharatnatyam to trendy dances on Hindi Film songs, everything in-between. Maharashtra Mandal of Atlanta presented a perfectly choreographed Lejhim Dance and Ganesh Stuti with over 30 dancers of all age groups dancing in perfect unison.

Consul General Shri Ajit Kumar (new Indian Consulate in Atlanta) who graced the occasion with his presence was a witness to this. A talented group of students of GSMST presented an awesome series of fusion dances, Hiphop and an energetic group dance on a popular Tamil song. The dance on a lilting Bengali folk song, an enthusiastic Bhangra and a medley of Marathi folk dances brought alive the sights and sounds of India, right here in Atlanta.
The audience was enthralled by the vocalists, with soft melodies from the bygone era to faster Hindi Film numbers. Folk songs in Bihari and Bhojpuri and a patriotic song in Telugu brought back fond memories of India. Students from Balvihar danced to a popular patriotic song “Ye Desh Hai Veer Jawaano ka”. A live band, the Urban Taboo, was appreciated especially when the all American group belted out a popular Hindi rock song from a movie “Rock On”.

Some of the academies and organizations that participated in the show were Arya Dance academy, Kalaivani Dance academy, Planet U, Swarnaad Music School, Shiv Mandir of Atlanta, Maharashtra Mandal of Atlanta, Gaudiya Vaishnav association, Dhwani Music Group, Desi Mandal and Dhoop Chaon Theater Group. There were an equally large number of individual performances. The cultural show truly represented the vast and varied Indian Subcontinent.


The pure and simple purpose behind organizing this mega event was to bring together not only the huge Hindu American community but everyone else to celebrate the joyous occasion of Diwali, the way Diwali is always celebrated, with family, friends, community, and without fail great food, in an informal and heartwarming setting. For this purpose the admission was free and the food was free.
The VHPA was rewarded by the great attendance and appreciation showed by the community. The huge success of the program without doubt can be directly attributed to the excellent response we received from the sponsors, donors, participants, media and the audience alike. A program of this magnitude may not have been possible without the major sponsors like Shri Shakti Mandir, Global Mall, Atlanta Chowki Group, Coca Cola, RajBhog, House of Spice,Gujarati Samaj Atlanta, Hindu temple of Atlanta, IACA, Patel brothers, Cherians, Gujarati Cultural Association of North America, Lajawaab, The Viceroy, Atlanta Dunia, WOWNOW, Namaste Bombay, Desh-Videsh, Jan Darpan, individuals like Gaur family and Shri Yerramilli , Dushyantbhai, Kanubhai, Ashokbhai and numerous other organizations and individual donors who helped in providing food and other supplies and raffle prizes. Keeping this in mind, the celebration will come back again next year with gaiety and enthusiasm.