Dharma and Yoga Fest in Houston

HOUSTON: Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh USA (HSS), Houston Chapter and Hindus of Greater Houston (HGH) with the support of many other Dharmic organizations, will host “Dharma and Yoga Fest” on Saturday, Sept. 7, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston.

This event will be followed by Janmashtami celebrations from 6 p.m. through midnight.

The Dharma and Yoga Fest will conclude the yearlong commemoration by HSS of Swami Vivekananda’s 150th birth anniversary in 2013 and his vision of “Universal Peace Through Dharma and Yoga”. The concluding ceremony of this event, starting at 5 p.m, would be chaired by Consul General of India in Houston, Parvathaneni Harish.

Dharma and Yoga Fest will showcase Bhakti, Jnana, Karma, and Raja Yoga as practiced in the local community. The program will feature an exhibition on Swamiji, demonstrations, discussions, and teachings from all Yoga paths, including Kirtan and Bhajan sessions (Bhakti), panel discussion on Dharma (Jnana) and service activities (Karma), and Hatha Yoga demonstrations (Raja).

To bring practitioners together at Dharma and Yoga Fest, HSS is partnering with more than 50 local Dharma and Yoga organizations.

According to HSS Program Co-Director Achalesh Amar, “What better offering to Swami ji than educating people about the four paths of Yoga he propagated. We have received a tremendous response from the Houston Hindu community in putting together this program and we are extremely grateful to all the organizations for their enthusiastic support.”

Dharma and Yoga Fest will include several distinctive events, including a recitation of the complete Srimad Bhagavad Gita by children and adults and a speech contest for middle and high school students, said HSS Program Co-Director Manoj Rathi.

All the participants would be provided complimentary dinner coupons upon registration from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. The coupons can be used immediately after the concluding ceremony, just before Janmashtami celebrations start at 6 pm.

Dharma and Yoga Fest also marks the 120th anniversary of Swami Vivekananda’s groundbreaking address at the World’s Parliament of Religions in Chicago on September 11.

HSS conducts a structured values education program through its 150 branches nationwide to develop strong character, teamwork and leadership skills, thereby helping organize a dynamic and flourishing Hindu-American community.

For further information, visit www.hssus.org.