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Valley Hindus to celebrate Diwali

They will gather at temples to mark the Festival of Lights.

Published online on Friday, Oct. 09, 2009

By Ron Orozco / The Fresno Bee
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Hundreds of Hindus in the central San Joaquin Valley will gather at temples next weekend to celebrate Diwali, the Festival of Lights.

"It's the biggest event in Indian culture," says J.P. Sethi, former president of Hindu Temple of Fresno in Clovis.

Many accounts have been adapted into the story of Diwali. One that is recognized locally is Diwali commemorates the homecoming of Lord Ram of Ayodhya and his wife Sita, who overcame evil to reclaim their kingdom after being banished for 14 years.

The Valley events:

*The Diwali & Annakut festival will be from 2 to 5 p.m. next Saturday at BAPS Shree Swaminarayan Mandir, 1425 W. Pine Ave. in Fresno.

The event will feature the celebration of food known as Annakut, in which hundreds of vegetarian delicacies are displayed at the altar.

There also will be a children's fun fair, spiritual talks and devotional bhajans, or prayers to Hindu deities.

Details: (559) 264-1001.

*At Hindu Temple of Fresno, also known as Krishna Kanhaiya Mandir, the Diwali Mela 2009 fair will be from 2 to 7 p.m. Oct. 18 at the temple, 7699 E. Alluvial Ave.

The event will feature Indian food, music, games and a dramatic presentation by members of the children's program.

Priests Kalyan Sharma-ji and Kumar Sankarmanchi will speak about Lord Ram, a Hindu deity who is displayed at the temple's altar with Sita and Ram's brother Lakshaman.

"They won the battle with the demon and, after 14 years, they came home; that's why this day is celebrated," says Monika Joshi, a temple volunteer.

The temple also will be adorned in special lights to represent the path taken by Lord Ram. The activities will end with a fireworks display.

Details: (559) 325-7233 or hindutemplefresno.org.


The reporter can be reached at rorozco@fresnobee.com or (559) 441-6304.

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