Celebration of Diwali – Festival of lights was organized by the Cora J. Belden Library, Rocky Hill, CT, on Saturday, October 26, 2019 from 2:00pm to 3:30pm with a hall full of audiences that comprised of lots of young children ages 4 and up and their families. Diwali was celebrated with festive gusto by learning about the significance of Diwali and creating special Diwali decorations for their homes.

Children’s librarian, Ms. Maeleah Carlisle organized the event and bought all the supplies needed for the children’s creative activities with the goal of learning about Diwali and its spectacular decorations by the children. She also arranged the hall with the help of Ms. Haritha Nagabandi very nicely for a brief presentation on Diwali, set up a table at the entrance of the hall that displayed all books from the library on Diwali and other festivals celebrated in the different regions and seasons of India and around the world and another table was set up with the portraits of Ma Lakshmi and Ma Durga that conveyed the message of triumph of good over evil. Several tables were set up at the back of the hall with all the supplies for the creative activities. Ms. Haritha actively involves herself in the community events.  Mr. Mukund Mulkar, the RSS Shakha Pramukh from Newington, CT said that this year’s Diwali in the New England area is celebrated as a “Seva Diwali” by derationing food items to the community food pantry.

The afternoon started with a special assembly wherein Ankith Nagabandi gave a brief presentation on the meaning and significance of Diwali. Followed by a short Q&A session where children asked several interesting questions about the Diwali celebrations and Ankith answered all of them very diligently. Various activities such as clay lamp ‘Diya’ decorations with colorful paints, creating of paper lanterns, and Diwali door hangers were organized in the hall for the children.  The young children painted Diyas, made lanterns and door hangers with help of their parents and the librarian, Ms. Maeleah. It was really remarkable to see all the children’s active involvement and interest in the activities.

We loved this program and enjoyed bringing our children to the event and participated with them in learning and making Diwali special decorative items – said some children’s parents,  namely, Ms. Veda Karajagi and Madhavi Rao.

In the evening, the Vallabhdham Haveli, Newington, CT organized a grand Diwali Celebration for the community with cultural programs, cracker bursting on the temple area, and delicious foods to enjoy and have the Darshan and blessings of Lord Shrinath Ji with their families, friends and relatives. Amazing dances and singing were performed by the local well-known cultural groups. Hundreds of devotes from the surrounding towns attended the program. This temple is actively engages its members in the civic and humanitarian activities along with preserving and promoting awareness about Hindu practices of right conducts and actions.

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