Dharma and Yoga Fest Heralds Janmashtami
ICC India fest parade banner about Swami Vivekananda, a must see exhibition. Photo: Vijay Pallod
HOUSTON: The community wide, annual Janmashtami celebration at George R. Brown Convention Center is in Houston on Sept. 7 this year and has an early start, with the Dharma and Yoga Fest.
While the usual parade, prayer, music, costume competition and dance will begin at 6 p.m., the Dharma and Yoga Fest, in which 51 organizations are participating, will begin at 2 p.m.
Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh USA Inc. (HSS), Houston will host “Dharma and Yoga Fest” to conclude the year-long commemoration of Swami Vivekananda’s 150th birth anniversary and his vision of “Universal Peace Through Dharma and Yoga.” It will showcase Bhakti, Jnana, Karma, and Raja yoga with parallel sessions on four yoga tracks, which include devotion, service, education and meditation.
The yoga festival’s concluding ceremony will take place from 5 to 6 p.m. The program includes a speech contest for students, a panel discussion by experts and an exhibition on Swami Vivekananda. Consul General of India, P. Harish will be the chief guest at this event.
Dinner will be provided to all conference attendees. Dinner coupon will be provided at the time of registration of Dharma and Yoga fest between 1:00 to 3:00 pm.
Hindus of Greater Houston President Sharad Amin invites all Houstonians to the historical event to participate in an excellent Bhajan Groups, Raj Yoga demonstration and intellectual discussion.
“Do not miss the ceremony at 5 p.m. celebrating Swami Vivekananda’s 150th birth anniversary,” says Sharad Amin.
Janmashtami celebration this year includes a powerful short play on Swami Vivekananda’s life. The pay has run to packed audiences elsewhere in the U.S.
The keynote speaker will be Saumitra Gokhale. Gokhale has been a full-time social services worker with Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh since 1995, currently serving as an international coordinator. He will speak on “Global Peace Through Dharma and Yoga.”
The Garba/Dandiya Raas, a participatory dance popular with young and old Hindus and their non-Hindu friends alike, will feature Darshak Thakkar and a female singer Shivangini who is coming to the event from Florida.
Other events are especially for the children including a costume contest where kids will dress as Swami Vivekananda or Lord Krishna or his companions. Booths by various organizations, beautiful decorations, and more will make for a special evening.
For further information, see www.HindusOfHouston.org.