The Annual Hindu Heritage Day will be held on Saturday, May 12, 2007, from 3pm to 8pm at Marlboro Middle School in Marlboro, Massachusetts. The focus of this day is on Bhakti Yoga, a path of love for God. This theme resonates with all devotees, for God may take the form of a personal God or the Impersonal Absolute, or any rock, plant, or animal. The path of devotion enables an aspirant to constantly remember God. In the process, a devotee’s emotions are purified, elevating his mind to the consciousness of Reality. Surrendering all thoughts, words, and actions to God, a devotee adores Him with unflinching devotion. By such constant meditation on God, the devotee imbibes into his own being the Divine attributes.

The HHD format adopted last year proved to be a resounding success. A similar mela complete with workshops focusing on this attractive theme will be held. A nominal entrance fee of $2 covers all activities being held through the day. There are going to be an assortment of non-profit organizations and cultural schools present to give out information, along with vendors of goods and services with different products geared to cater to Indian taste. Organized by Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America, a total of 41organizations plan to participate in this year’s mela. At this time, a limited supply of booths remains available. The cost of each booth is $50 with a discounted cost of $25 for non-profit organizations. For booth information, contact Mr. Kaushik Patel (508-789-3548).

Besides the various workshops (schedule given below), there are a number of entertaining activities being held for all ages. The popular mehndi application will have dedicated space for the full duration of the program. An informative and enlightening exhibition on Hindu Dharma that has traveled around the country will be on display. An exhibit devoted to giving brief life histories of Hindu sants will have educational content for all specially youth. Children can engage in face painting, kite flying, various contest booths, picture coloring, and viewing movies. A live DJ will entertain the audience while favored snacks of bhel puri, samosa, chole bhature, and chaat are being served. Freshly made dosa, idli, and uttapam would be available to cater to different food tastes along with chai, lassi, soft drinks, and bottled water.

A cultural variety performance begins at 5pm in the main auditorium choreographed by different dance and music studios and performed by their talented students. This two hour program has a special entertaining skit called “Andher Nagri Chopat Raja.”  There is a special feature drama on Bhakti Yoga on one of the most revered bhaktas, Mira Bai, among Hindus. Mira Bai was a princess of extraordinary grace and integrity. She is well known for her exceptional devotional songs full of Madhurya Ras. Mira longs to get a glimpse of her beloved sweet lord Sri Shyam (Radha Krishna or atma parmatma in loving union). Her exemplary life has the effect of bringing people closer whether Hindu or Muslim, from high or low caste, rich or poor, male or female.  She does not compromise in her devotional service. Despite being pressured by the rest of the royal family to follow the customary life of a princess, she continues to follow the path of supreme devotion to Sri Krishna in spite of threats to her life. Mira Bai eventually has Sri Krishna’s grace showered on her and attains the highest state of bliss, that of para bhakti.

The day will conclude with this variety program. If you or your organization would like to participate in any way in this inclusive mela, contact jasthana@hotmail.com.

Activity	Time	Place	Instructor
Kite Flying	3:00-5:00	Outside School	Sameer Sharma
Raffle	3:00-5:00	Cafeteria	Sailja Ganti, Bhanu Vadehra
Films	3:00-6:00	Cafeteria	Navneet Sharma
Exhibition	3:00-7:00	Front Hallway	Ashwani Garg
		Room 381
Mehndi, Face Painting, Stamps	3:00-7:00	Room 381	Neela Desai, Beema
Picture Coloring	3:30-5:00	Room 381	Indira Tiwari
Rangoli	4:00-4:30	Room 381	Meera Behal & Sukanya
TBD	4:00-5:00
		Room 379
Dance Kathak	3:00-3:30	Room 379	Aditya, Rajini Kaimal
Music	3:30-4:00	Room 379	Koyel Ghoshal
Yoga	4:00-4:30	Room 379	Brahmkumaris
		Room 386
TBD (Balram Singh)	3:00-3:30	Room 386
Meditation	3:30-4:00	Room 386	Art of Living
TBD (Balram Singh)	4:00-4:30	Room 386

VHP of America is a national organization which has among its objectives to unite Hindus by instilling in them devotion to the Hindu way of life, to cultivate self-respect and respect for all people, and to establish contacts with Hindus all over the world. For more information please visit http://www.vhp-america.org/