BY SONAM MORPURI
LOS ANGELES, CA - Diwali, the festival of lights, was celebrated by hundreds across the Southland. Gayatri Chetna Center: Four days of festivities were organized and brought to life in Anaheim by the Gayatri Chetna Center Youth Teachers group of Bal Sanskar Shaalal and Ladies Sanskar Group of the Gayatri Center...
LOS ANGELES, CA - Diwali, the festival of lights, was celebrated by hundreds across the Southland. Gayatri Chetna Center: Four days of festivities were organized and brought to life in Anaheim by the Gayatri Chetna Center Youth Teachers group of Bal Sanskar Shaalal and Ladies Sanskar Group of the Gayatri Center...
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from Oct. 28 to Oct. 31. However, the two main nights were Oct. 29 and 30. The celebrations on Oct 29 focused on children who demonstrated their talents with the children’s Diwali cultural show which was presented at the newly constructed community hall. With more than 600 in attendance the event began with performances which ranged from folk dances on Diwali songs, musical yoga dance, and a special Diwali play which was presented by the youth. The evening’s event came to a close with a controlled fireworks show. On Oct 30 a rangoli competition was the highlight. In the main temple hall, the special ritual of Laxmi and Chopda Poojan took place attended by over a 100 devotees. The ladies group of Gayatri Center prepared various delicious food items for Govardhan Poojan and Annakut to Gayatri Devi. More than 125 various food items were prepared by community members.
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir:
More than 2000 devotees of all ages came together to celebrate Diwali and to ring in the Indian New Year on Oct. 30 and 31 at the The BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Chino Hills. There was a variety of events for all who attended. There were beautiful and elaborate rangoli designs, embellished diyas and Annakut. Children were amused by the abundance of games, activities, and mithais. The devotees enjoyed the display of Indian culture and traditions. Those who attended were immersed in magnificent sights, traditional music, as well as special food typical of Diwali.
Ektaa Center: Commemorating an important day with a bang was the Ektaa Center which held their Diwali Fest 2016 at the Piazza in Irvine City Hall Plaza on Oct. 29 starting in the afternoon. More than 2000 attended the event from the local Irvine area as well as surrounding cities. The event started with the traditional lamp lighting ceremony which was performed by Dr. Steven Choi, Mayor of Irvine; Council members Beth Krom and Christina Shea; Julie Engen, Deputy Contd. from A14
Chief of Police; as well as other city officials. Over 200 participants took part in the event which consisted of an array of entertainment. The Piazza was filled with music and dance performances by Adaa Dance Academy, Arpana Dance Company, Mumabai Madness, Nrityashetra, Sundar Kala Kendra, Ishwara Dance Academy and other groups who contributed their time and talent to the event.In addition, there were activities for children, a separate food area with a variety of eats and various vendors.
“Diwali is an event that allows for a broad diverse group of people both from within the diaspora and outside to interact with a common purpose in a very welcoming and fun environment,” said Murthy about the need for such events.
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir:
More than 2000 devotees of all ages came together to celebrate Diwali and to ring in the Indian New Year on Oct. 30 and 31 at the The BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Chino Hills. There was a variety of events for all who attended. There were beautiful and elaborate rangoli designs, embellished diyas and Annakut. Children were amused by the abundance of games, activities, and mithais. The devotees enjoyed the display of Indian culture and traditions. Those who attended were immersed in magnificent sights, traditional music, as well as special food typical of Diwali.
Ektaa Center: Commemorating an important day with a bang was the Ektaa Center which held their Diwali Fest 2016 at the Piazza in Irvine City Hall Plaza on Oct. 29 starting in the afternoon. More than 2000 attended the event from the local Irvine area as well as surrounding cities. The event started with the traditional lamp lighting ceremony which was performed by Dr. Steven Choi, Mayor of Irvine; Council members Beth Krom and Christina Shea; Julie Engen, Deputy Contd. from A14
Chief of Police; as well as other city officials. Over 200 participants took part in the event which consisted of an array of entertainment. The Piazza was filled with music and dance performances by Adaa Dance Academy, Arpana Dance Company, Mumabai Madness, Nrityashetra, Sundar Kala Kendra, Ishwara Dance Academy and other groups who contributed their time and talent to the event.In addition, there were activities for children, a separate food area with a variety of eats and various vendors.
“Diwali is an event that allows for a broad diverse group of people both from within the diaspora and outside to interact with a common purpose in a very welcoming and fun environment,” said Murthy about the need for such events.
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