Experience India’s culture through dance, song, music, and stories.
veryone is invited to celebrate the Indian Festival of Lights known as Deepavali or Diwali on Saturday, November 23, at the Fairfield Arts and Convention Center. The celebration starts at 6 p.m. with a puja followed by an Indian banquet and cultural program.
Just as Christmas is one of the most widely celebrated holidays of the year in the US, Deepavali is celebrated on a similarly large scale in India by Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains. During Deepavali colorful lights illuminate every pathway, colorful chalk drawings (rangolis) adorn every entryway, sweets are exchanged between loved ones and neighbors, firecrackers are lit, and a tremendous feeling of merriment fills the air.
For most, Deepavali is the celebration of the mythological prince and hero Ram’s returning to his kingdom after being in exile for fourteen years. During his time in exile he fought the demon King Ravan in order to free his wife Sita. This story represents the triumph of good over evil, and it is recreated in skits by children throughout the country and little tea lights, or diyas, are lit outside the home to celebrate his homecoming. For many it is also the celebration of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. Houses are deep cleaned so that the goddess will greet them and bless them with abundance.
Deepavali is a time of merriment.
The Fairfield Indian community would like to invite everyone to experience Deepavali firsthand. Have a delicious, traditional meal catered by Exotic India in Cedar Rapids, and then sit back, relax, and be entertained by spiritual and graceful traditional Indian dances, spicy and playful Bollywood dances, music, stories, and more.
Tickets available at India Cafe, Gupta’s Vegetarian, and Somebody Cares.