What Makes Diwali Diwali ?
By Malay Vyas
HOUSTON: Is it the thousand twinkling lights, the aroma of sweet delicacies arising from the kitchen, making numerous phone calls back home to talk with parents, cousins, uncles and aunts, or is it a flurry of house parties? Diwali is nostalgia of Diwalis past, a celebration of all you have, and anticipation of all that awaits. Simply, if life is a journey, Diwali is your favorite stopover.
With all the distractions and responsibilities that we are clouded with, it is important to celebrate Diwali, the ancient triumph of good over evil, and create Diwali memories and traditions that will be remembered by the future generations. One of these traditions is the Houston Diwali Mela this year on Saturday, October 25, 5-11 PM (raindate Sunday October 26).
Masala Radio’s Sunil and Sandhya Thakkar and the Masala Crew, along with Grand Sponsors ZeeTV, India.com, and Tara Energy, are set to create a magicial “Festival of Lights.” A living Statue of Goddess Laxmi and a dozen Kerala drummers will greet guests as they begin to explore the stadium sized festival. Every hour begins a new dimension of the Mela: 5PM House of Spices Grand Bazaar of Fashions, Jewelry, and Corporate Giveaways; 6PM Indian Street Booths by Baloch Ice Cream, Chowpatty Chaat, Hydrabad Houston, Maharaja Bhog, Mirch Masala, Rani Foods, Udipi Café, and Vishala Restaurant; 7PM Tara Energized Dances and Stage Entertainment hosted by Sunil T; 8PM Alings Hakka Fire Dancers, HGH Maha Arti, and Skai Foundation Deities Procession; 9PM Maharaja Jewelers High Energy Concert featuring Manj, formely known as RDB; 10PM Spectacualr Mercedes Benz Fireworks! Ramji & Associates presents a $1001 Rangoli Competition and Keemat Grocers presents hourly magic shows by Curt Miller, as well as a Kid’s Moonwalks and Carousel Rides.
For the last 2 years, Houston Diwali Mela has sold out 5-7 days prior to the event so buy your tickets in advance at houstondiwali.com and come early to the event to define for yourself what makes Diwali…DIWALI!