With Diwali entering the list of New York City school holidays, the Festival of Lights is now a public school holiday in both New York and New Jersey. Indian families are gearing up to celebrate the festival of lights at a number of Diwali 2024 events in New York and New Jersey, from Times Square to Garden City, from Ganesh Temple to BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir, and from Bhakti Center to Brooklyn Children Museum. Diwali is one of the few Indian festivals, which is celebrated with great pomp and loads of enthusiasm from America to Australia.     

Like previous years, Travel Beats, a leading Indian community portal in the US, has compiled a list of best Diwali 2024 events in New York and New Jersey for you. If you have not planned your travel on last minute flights to India yet, you can celebrate Diwali with fellow Indians at any of the places listed below. Travel Beats is a subsidiary of Indian Eagle, a trusted air-ticketing partner of Indians in America.    

Diwali at BAPS Swaminarayan Temple Long Island

Hindu temples in New York are among the best places for NYC Diwali events 2024. BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir at Melville, Long Island will celebrate Diwali and Chopda Puja on 31 October. Diwali is a most traditional celebration here, while Chopda Puja is an age-old cultural ceremony wherein Gujarati and Marwari business people close their old account books and open new ones in paper or electric form, and seek blessings of Goddess Lakshmi for a new year as per the Hindu Calendar.

NYC’s BAPS Swaminarayan Temple at Long Island does also organize children’s Diwali celebration every year to make kids understand the significance of the festival and walk them through traditional rituals. Children learn the art of making diyas and rangolis. This is scheduled from 11 am to 6 pm on November 10 this year.   

Diwali at NY Ganesh Temple, Flushing

Sri Maha Vallabha Ganapati Devasthanam is one of the few best places for traditional Diwali celebrations in New York City. Home to the first temple canteen in America, the Ganapati Devasthanam organizes Maha Lakshmi Puja through the observance of rituals, such as abhishekam, homam, japam, and deepam pooja. To be celebrated on October 31, Diwali will be followed by Govardhan Annakut Festival on November 1 at Flushing Ganesh Temple in New York.

Date: Diwali – October 31 | Govardhan Annakut – November 1 

Flushing Townhall Diwali 2024 in Queens

Of all Diwali 2024 events in New York, Flushing Townhall’s 10^th annual Diwali festival is out and out a cultural celebration. Abha Roy’s dance drama Navadurga is the mainstay of the event this year. Abha Roy, the Director of Srijan Dance Company, is a Kathak exponent.  She, along with her team, will show the aspects of feminine divinity, such as innocence, love, and compassion. You can groove on the dance floor with foot-tapping numbers churned out by DJ Rekha.

Learning the art of Indian cooking, among various joyous activities, from Chef Nupur Arora, the founder of Queens Curry Kitchen, is another attraction of Flushing Townhall Diwali, Queens. Block printing, rangoli making, henna art, and Hindi calligraphy are the other workshops that you can choose to take part in. It is one of the few ticketed Diwali events in the Big Apple; hence, advance booking is recommended.

Date: November 2 | Time: 12 noon – 4 pm

New York Asia Society Diwali 2024

Diwali celebration at Asia Society in New York doubles up as a family day full of fun, joy and entertainment. Asia Society’s auditorium will throb with dance dramas and musical performances. In one of the major programs, kids will present Tathaastu, a musical act inspired by Ramleela. Asia Society is also organizing an interactive introduction to Indian classical music with focus on traditional instruments.

Asia Society’s Diwali event in New York is a great opportunity for Indian children to get introduced to the art of making clay diyas, traditional mithai, and handicrafts. A storytelling session is also among the programs. The eighth floor of the venue will host live bhangra and Bollywood dance. The event is being organized in collaboration with the Culture Tree that promotes South Asian culture in the east coast.

• Date: October 26 | Time: 1 pm – 4 pm
• Venue: 725 Park Avenue, NY 10021

Grand Diwali in Edison, New Jersey 

In New Jersey, Edison Township’s Diwali celebration is getting bigger and better every year. Presented by Indian American Mayor Sam Doshi and the Township Council, the Edison Diwali Festival 2024 will see a spectacular display of more than 100,000 lights at the venue, Papaianni Park. Mayor Sam Joshi, who traces his roots in Gujarat, invites everyone to the celebration scheduled on October 26, from 2 pm to 9 pm. Diwali being a traditional Indian festivity, music and food are the mainstay of the event. Alongside featuring 50 food stalls, the venue will be abuzz with a number of music and cultural performances.

• Date: October 26 | Time: 2 to 9 pm | Contact: 732-248-7283
• Venue:  Papaianni Park, 100 Municipal BLVD, Edison

Siddhachalam Jain Tirth Diwali 2024, New Jersey

If you are looking to celebrate Diwali with oodles of devotion, you can visit Siddhachalam Jain Tirth, a Jain ashram and spiritual retreat sprawling 120 acres of hilly terrain in New Jersey. Founded in 1983, the ashram hosts Diwali mela for Indians, regardless of their religion. Traditional food and devotional music are among the trappings of Diwali Mela at Siddhachalam Jain Tirth in New Jersey. On the day of Diwali festival, they also organize Mahavira Nirvan Ladoo Puja as per the Jain tradition.

• Date: November 1 and 2
• Venue: 111 Hope Road, Blairstown, NJ 07825
• Contact: (908) 362-9793
• RSVP at events@siddhachalam.org

South Street Seaport Museum Diwali

Do celebrate Diwali amidst waters at the South Street Seaport Museum in New York City. Wavertree, a historic wrought iron sailing ship dating back to 18885, is the Diwali event venue at the Seaport Museum. Visitors can make special decorations with diyas and marigold flowers. There is a pool on deck where you can float diyas while making a wish. 11 am – 6 pm is the Diwali schedule on November 1.

A puppet show has been organized to tell the audience about the religious and cultural significance of Diwali. There’s a book reading session for kids among the programs. The even will conclude with live performances and popular Diwali songs that you can groove to. You can be assured of a unique experience of Diwali celebration with a maritime twist.

Pelham Art Center Diwali, NYC 

Among the places for Diwali 2024 events in New York, Pelham Art Center celebrates Diwali through Indian folk art festivities including classical music and dance. Kathak and Bharat Natyam are not-to-be-missed performances which Indians of any age groups can take part in. The event schedule includes a hands-on traditional art workshop where you can paint your own diyas. Funded by New York State Council on the Arts, Pelham Art Center provides a multicultural community setting to help New Yorkers experience cultural diversity through participation in different forms of art. The Diwalis-special folk art event is free for all.

• Date: November 10 | Time: 1-3 pm
• Venue: Pelham Art Center, 155 Fifth Avenue, NY 10803

Saraswati Cultural Association NJ Diwali 2023

Diwali celebration by Saraswati Cultural Association of New Jersey is one of the free outdoor events for Indians in October. Founded in the late 1980s as a community-driven non-profit organization, Saraswati Cultural Association hosts Diwali and other festivals to promote Indian culture and heritage, other than raising funds for charities. You can make the most of this event by grooving to live music, enjoying Dandiya and Bhangra performances, taking part in cultural programs, relishing Indian food, and shopping for Indian items. Ram Leela enactment will be one of the highlights of the events, which also hosts special children activities. Interestingly, entry to the event venue is free for all.

• Date: October 28
• Time: 1PM – 7PM
• Venue: East Brunswick Cultural Arts Center, East Brunswick, New Jersey
• Contact: 5519001541

Sanskriti of New Jersey Diwali 2024

Sanskriti of New Jersey, a non-profit organization established in 2008, brings together the vast Indian community in Livingston and neighboring towns (Maplewood, Cedar Grove, Madison & others) for a memorable celebration of important Indian events and festivals, from Holi to Diwali. In New Jersey, Sanskriti Diwali 2024 is back with dazzling fireworks on November 2. The firework display is simply unmissable!

On October 30, Sanskriti of New Jersey is hosting an annual Diwali Meet with Sambandh, a vibrant community for adults above 55 years of age. Registration is mandatory for $15 per person. Neha Dave and Chirag Trivedi, who are popular for their Bollywood hits, will add a zing to the Diwali Meet with their special performances.

• Date: November 2 (fireworks)
• Time: Yet to be announced 
• Venue: Livingston OVAL 
• Contact: info@sanskritiofnj.org

Diwali by Brahma Kumaris in New York

The Brahma Kumaris, a global spiritual organization headquartered in Rajasthan, is inviting New Yorkers to their Diwali event on November 2, 2024 at their Manhattan Meditation Center. One of the free Diwali events in New York City, the celebration is that of the human soul’s journey from darkness to light. It is showcased through an art exhibition, live storytelling, live music, and guided meditation that intensifies one’s longing for spiritual awakening in the solitude of heavenly peace and divine bliss.

• Date: November 2 | Time: 1 – 2pm EDT
• Venue: 306, 5^th Avenue, NY 10001

Brooklyn Children’s Museum Diwali 2024

On Diwali, Brooklyn Children’s Museum organizes a puppet show by The Culture Tree for families and kids, irrespective of their community and nationality. The socio-cultural and spiritual significance of lighting lamps on Diwali is conveyed to kids through a puppet show. It teaches the US-born children of Indian descent the meaning of devotion, compassion, love, and giving back that the Diwali celebration stands for. Diwali at BCM has more festival-themed fun-filled activities for kids, such as mithai-making and lantern-making workshop.

• Date: October 26 and November 7 | Time: 4 pm – 8 pm
• Venue: 145 Brooklyn Avenue, NY 11213

The post Diwali Events in East Coast USA: Know Where to Celebrate Ghar Wali Diwali in New York and New Jersey appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

Durga Puja is one of the grandest and most-awaited Indian festivals in October 2024. It is a most spectacular celebration in the Indian state of Bengal. However, the festival is celebrated with equal enthusiasm wherever Bengalis are in the world. About two dozen of Durga Puja events in New Jersey and New York transform the northeast cost into a mini Bengal with cultural exuberance this time of the year. Bengali associations across New York and New Jersey started preparations months ago, so that the festivity does not fall short of joy and happiness in their adopted home. They can live away from home, but can’t survive without the blessings of Maa Durga, the bliss of bhoger kichudi, the beats of dhak, and the ecstasy of dunuchi naach.

Travel Beats, a leading overseas Indian community portal by Indian Eagle, recommends some of the best places for Durga puja 2024 in New York and New Jersey.  “Elo re Dugga elo re…” 

PC: Travel Beats

First-ever Durga Puja at Times Square, New York

2024 will see the first-ever Durga Puja celebration at Times Square, a most happening commercial hub in New York City. Usually, Times Square is a popular venue for Diwali, Yoga, and Indian Independence Day celebrations. Unlike other Durga puja events in USA, the 2-day Times Square Durga Puja is a free event for all, regardless of their nationality and religion. It is being organized by Bengali Club of USA .

• Date: October 5 and 6
• Contact: ecdpanewyork@gmail.com, +1315-586-3372

Sanskriti Durga Puja 2024: Buffalo, New York

Sanskriti, a Bengali cultural association in Buffalo, is one of the best and oldest Durga Puja celebrations in New York. Founded in 1974-75, the Sanskriti Durga Puja is a cultural platform for the present generation of Bengali Diaspora in the northeast US to have a tryst with their heritage, literature, and traditions thousands of miles away from India. Sanskriti also celebrates other festivals with equal enthusiasm. They also organize Kojagori Lokkhi puja at the same venue.

Sanskriti is looking forward to a live performance by Snigdhajit Bhowmik and his band of musicians on October 6. Their event was graced by such renowned performing artists as Purna Das Boul and Bhupen Hazarika in the years gone by.

• Dates: October 4,5, and 6
• Venue: Hindu Cultural Society, 1595 N French Road, Getzville, NY 14068
• Contact: president@buffalosanskriti.org, +1 716-331-7657
• Website: Buffalosanskriti.org

New York Kali Mandir Durga Puja, Baldwin

New York Kali Mandir located close to JFK International Airport is the destination if you wish to celebrate Durga Puja in the most traditional manner. Inspired by the Dakshineswar Kali Temple of Kolkata, NYKM is home to Goddess Kali worshiped by Bengalis and other Indian communities. Founded in 2005, the temple doubles up as a community organization and helps preserve the age-old Bengali cultural traditions in New Yok Metropolitan Area. The temple has a well-stocked library for all age groups. Those interested in volunteering can serve the temple this Durga Puja.    

• Dates: October 8 to 12
• Venue: 614 Seaman Ave, Baldwin, NY, 11510
• Contact: nykmdevotee@gmail.com, +1 516-771-5254
• Website: Nykalimandir.org

Also read: Sanyal Brothers Offer Best Kolkata Street Food with Chai in New York

Durga Puja at Ramakrishna Vivekananda Center of New York

Durga Puja at the Ramakrishna Vivekananda Center of New York for the followers of the Ramakrishna order is among the best Durga puja celebrations in the Greater New York Area. Founded in 1933, the center organizes the puja to worship the Divine Mother and seek Her blessings for the humankind. The chanting of sacred hymns and the singing of devotional songs in chorus are the mainstay of their celebration without pomp and in strict adherence to the principles laid out by Belur Math, the headquarters of Ramakrishna Missions worldwide.   

• Dates: October 13
• Venue: 17 E 94th St, New York, NY 10128
• Contact: (212) 534-9445
• E-mail:  rvcenternewyork@gmail.com
• Website: Ramakrishna.org

East Coast Cultural Association Durga Puja, NY

The East Coast Cultural Association, one of the youngest communities in New York, has planned a spectacular Durga puja celebration this year to mark its third anniversary. Founded in 2022, the non-profit Bong organization strives to create the ambience of parar pujo in Kolkata through a grand display of traditional Bengali culture, ranging from mouthwatering dishes to live music programs, at their puja venue. The schedule of ECCA Durga Puja 2024 includes three musical evenings by Somlata on OCT 18, Snigdhajit Bhowmik on OCT 19, and Prashmita Paul on OCT 20.

• Dates: October 18, 19 and 20
• Venue: Gujarati Samaj Hall, 17315 Horace Harding Expy, Fresh Meadows, NY 11365
• Contact: eastcoastcultural@gmail.com
• Website: Eccany.com

Utsov Durga Puja 2024 in New Jersey

Utsov Inc. is known for one of the biggest Durga Puja events in New Jersey. Their celebration, both traditional and contemporary, has a number of ‘wow’ factors – delectable Bengali food, Sindoor Khela, Dhunuchi dance, cultural programs, and art competition for kids. East Brunswick near Edison is the location of their puja venue that will turn into a Disneyland of festivities and revelry for two days as Utsov Inc. has invited Deep Chatterjee, a renowned folk singer, and Saberi Bhattacharya, a popular playback singer, to enthral the audience with folk music of Bengal.

Krosswindz, a Grassroot Grammy Award winning folk-fusion band from Kolkata, will churn out popular folk numbers and take the exuberance of Utsov Durga Puja 2024 celebration to the fever pitch on October 13. Prior registration is compulsory to enter the venue and attend the live band shows.

• Dates: October 12 and 13
• Contact: 732 648 7461 or 313 338 8768, utsov@utsov.org
• Venue: Jo Ann Magistro Performing Arts Center, 200 Rues Lane, East Brunswick, NJ 
• Website: Utsov.org

Also read: Indian Food is a Pure Bliss at This Temple Kitchen in New York

Garden State Puja Committee’s 43rd Durga Puja in New Jersey

One of the oldest and biggest Durga Puja events in New Jersey is organized by the Bengalis of Garden State Puja Committee, Jersey City. GSPC Durga Utsov 2024 will celebrate its 43rd anniversary over foot-tapping numbers of the most popular bands, Cactus on 12 OCT and Chandrabindoo on 13 OCT. Bongobhoj – a traditional Bengali food fare – is the mainstay of their celebration.

The pandal modelled on thakur dalan, a distinct feature of mansions dating back to the feudal era of Bengal, has already been shipped from Kolkata to New Jersey. This is the biggest attraction of GSPC Durga Puja in Jersey City this year.

• Dates: October 12 and 13
• Venue: William L. Dickinson High School, 2 Palisade Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07306
• Contact: +1 201-993-4577 | info@gardenstatepuja.org
• Website: gspcnj.com

New Jersey Kallol Durga Puja 2024  

Among the Durga Puja celebrations in New Jersey, Kallol Durga Puja hits the headlines every year. Of the oldest Bengali organizations in the northeast coast, Kallol will transform Somerset into a mini city of joy with cultural and musical extravaganza for 4 days, OCT 10-13.

Babul Supriyo will make the audience groove to his hit numbers on October 10, while the Nandi sister duo will set the stage on fire with their foot-tapping music on October 11. Madhubanti Bagchi from Mumbai will take over the stage on October 12 and her soulful songs will make the evening unforgettable. Kallol New Jersey Durga Puja 2024 will culminate in amazing rides on a rollercoaster of music by Piu Mukherjee and Sudesh Bhosle on October 13.

• Dates: October 10 to 13
• Venue: Ukranian Cultural Center, 135 Davidson Avenue, Somerset, New Jersey 08873
• Contact: 732.290.5218
• Website: Kallol.com

Also read: Why Bengal worships living goddesses during Durga puja

Agrani Durga Puja, Plainfield NJ

Agrani Durga Puja in Plainfield near Edison is one of the 10 best Indian events in New Jersey in October 2024. Like WomenNow TV’s Durga Puja in California, the women members of Agrani NJ organize the puja, from fabulous feasting to cultural extravaganza. Equally popular with the Bong and non-Bengalis in Central New Jersey, Agrani Durga Puja promises to be an exhilarating experience for music connoisseurs, as singer Javed Ali of ‘Jodhaa Akbar’, ‘Delhi-6’, and ‘Rockstar’ fame from Delhi will set the stage on fire on OCT 6.

• Dates: October 5 and 6
• Venue: Plainfield High School, 950 Park Avenue
• Contact: Info@agranicnj.org

Alor Benu Durga Puja in Edison, NJ 

The ‘Ekchala’ style Durga idol is the main attraction of this humble celebration by a few Bengali families in Edison, NJ. This is more a gharoa (homely) puja than a community puja. The festive evenings from October 4-6 will see various cultural indulgences by the organizers and their families. The puja schedule is chock-a-block with traditional rituals from pushpanjali to the Goddess in the morning to dhunuchi naach in the evening to family dinner at night.

• Dates: October 4,5,6
• Venue: 2 Farmhaven Avenue, Edison, NJ 08820
• Contact: aamantran@aalorbenu.net, 207-807-7556 (Suvro)

New Jersey Ananda Mandir Durga Puja 2024

Durga Puja at Ananda Mandir in New Jersey is a most traditional one. Hundreds of New Jersey Indians throng the shrine to immerse themselves in festive revelries for five days. New Jersey Ananda Mandir is one of the few Hindu temples in USA that follows the Bengali calendar precisely for celebrating Durga Puja and other festivals. The temple that also doubles up as an Indian cultural center was commissioned in 1995 and completed in 2003. You may need to pre-register online. On successful registration, you would receive a confirmation email, which you can show to the volunteers at the temple complex.

• Dates: October 8 to 12
• Venue: 269 Cedar Grove Lane, Somerset, NJ 08873-5212
• Contact: (732) 873-9821 or info@anandamandir.org
• Website: Anandamandir.org

Garden State Cultural Association: Plainfield, NJ

Among the best places for Durga Puja 2024 in New Jersey, Garden State Cultural Association (GSCA) is gearing up for their 33^rd year of the celebration. GSCA, a nonprofit Indian American organization of Bengalis in Plainfield, leaves no stone unturned to make Durga Puja a grand get-together of not only Bengalis but also other Indian communities over delicious food, shopping, and cultural entertainment. The interesting lineup of events include talent shows and drawing competitions.

Registration is compulsory to attend the celebration, especially the cultural programs. You can register on their website given below. Popular Indian singers Richa Sharma and Pousali Banerjee are among the eminent guests this year.  

• Dates: October 19 and 20
• Venue: Plainfield High School, 950 Park Avenue, Plainfield, NJ 07060
• Contact: (908) 754-3079 or contact@gsca.us
• Website: web.gsca.us

Also Read: Payal Saha’s Kati Roll from Kolkata Rocks in New York

Bengali Cultural Society Durga Puja: South Jersey

Of New Jersey Indian events in October 2024, Bengali Cultural Society’s Durga Puja celebration is a lot more than food, fun and frolic. Rather, it mirrors the rich cultural heritage of Bengal on the American soil. Founded in 1978, Bengali Cultural Society is not just one of the oldest Bengali diaspora associations but a philanthropic organization too. They publish their own magazine Sanskriti every year and run a Bengali language school for their young ones and those interested in learning the language. Each day of the puja will culminate in an authentic Bengali community dinner.

You can check out their extensive menu for festive bhuribhoj on their Facebook page. Among the Durga Puja organizers in USA, only BCS South Jersey is presenting ‘Chitrangada‘, Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore’s dance drama based on a popular tale from the Mahabharata.

• Dates: October 11, 12 and 13
• Venue: Indian Cultural Center, 820 NJ-73, Marlton, NJ 08053
• Contact: info@bcssj.org
• Website: Bcssj.org

New Jersey Bharat Sevashram Sangha Durga Puja

The New Jersey chapter of Bharat Sevashram Sangha celebrates Durga Puja to worship the Supreme Power of the universe. The chanting of slokas and hymns reverberates in the air of the ashram temple on the five days of Durga Puja. Devotees can soak in numinous vibes that the ambience is rife with this time of the year. Bharat Sevashram Sangha is one of the few places where all the rituals of Durga Puja are strictly followed in compliance with the scriptures. Devotees are requested to pre-register for the puja.

• Dates: October 8 to 13
• Location: 3490 Route-27 Kendral Park, New Jersey 08824
• Contact: 732 422 8880/ 347 735 2984 | devotees@sevashramsangha.org
• Website: sevashramsangha.org

Trinayani Durga Puja in Plainsboro, New Jersey

A non-profit organization established in 2022 with the aim to promote India’s rich art and culture, Trinayani is eyeing a theme-based Durga Puja celebration in a grander fashion this year. In its inaugural year (2022), Trinayani was the first and only one to have worshipped the protima (idol) made by Prabasi Bengalis among the community members. The Bong being great foodies complement their festivities with sumptuous food.

The musical acts to be performed by Raghab Chatterjee and jazzy Somlata Chowdhury, on October 2 and 13 respectively, will make you not only groove to live music but also feel nostalgic. You may contact Trinayani for registrations.

• Dates: October 12 and 13
• Venue: Community Middle School, Plainsboro Township, NJ, USA
• Contact: contact@trinayaninj.org  
• Website: www.trinayaninj.org

PBA Agomoni and Durga Puja 2024

Princeton Bengali Association in New Jersey will invoke Maa Durga on Mahalaya (September 29) through their ‘Agomoni’ program and celebrate Durga Puja on October 20 in Plainsboro. Dhunuchi naach, Sindoor khela and other traditional rituals are the hallmarks of their humble celebration. Rishi Panda, a popular YouTuber and singer, has been invited for a musical evening at PBA Durga Puja in New Jersey. The event is free for kids (5 years and below).

• Date: 20 October
• Venue: Community Middle School, Plainsboro NJ
• Contact: pbanj.org

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The post These Durga Puja Events in New York and New Jersey Turn East Coast into a Mini Bengal This Time of Year appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

Durga Puja is one of the globally celebrated Indian festivals. Be it California, Canberra, or Canada, Indians celebrate the homecoming of Goddess Durga and her children in so grand way as if there is no tomorrow. Especially Bengalis don’t mind borders or bounds when it comes to nourishing their cultural roots and celebrating their festive traditions this time of the year. With Indian Bengalis growing in numbers, California has become home to some of the best Durga Puja events in USA.

As the beating of dhak has started resonating in the air; the fragrance of Sheuli flowers has started filling the atmosphere, Indian Eagle – a most trusted travel-booking partner of Indians in USA – recommends the following best places for Durga Puja 2024 events in California.

PC: Indian Eagle | Travel Beats

Los Angeles Durga Puja: Dakshini Bengali Association, CA 

Dakshini Bengali Association of California hosts one of the biggest Durga Puja events 2024 in the Great Los Angeles Area. A nonprofit, charitable, cultural organization; Dakshini Bengali Association, California, has a great lineup of events including live concerts to enthrall the audience during the celebration. Among the performing artists on the guest list is Richa Sharma, an Indian playback singer, who will perform on October 12. Another live performance by Prashmita Paul and Dipaayan Banerjee is scheduled on October 11. Both are ticketed shows at Dakshini.  

• Dates: October 11, 12 and 13
• Venue: Torrance High School, 2200W Carson St, Torrance CA | Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, Manhattan Beach Boulevard, LA County
• Contact: Communications@dakshini.org, +1 310-895-6094

Also Read: Amazing Things to Know about Durga Puja

Bay Area Prabasi Durga Puja 2024

Bay Area Prabasi, a nonprofit Bengali Cultural Organization in Alameda County, is hosting the biggest Durga Puja celebration in North America this year as a mark of the community’s 51st anniversary. Famed for one of the oldest and best Durga Puja events in California, Bay Area Prabasi is known for its simplicity and sophistication rather than extravagance.

On October 11, Bay Area Prabasi Durga Puja presents Chandalika, a gripping dance drama by Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore. The evening of October 12 will rock with an enthralling performance ‘Jai Ho’ by Sukhwinder Singh from India. The Bengalis’ love for retro Bollywood music will be brimming over during a live performance by Trijoy and Chandrika. The performance titled ‘Down the Memory Lane’ is a tribute to Lata Mangeshkar, Bappi Lahiri, Asha Bhonsle, Manna Dey, and Hemanta Mukherjee.

The cultural celebration will culminate with Cactus’ Reunion on the Sunday evening, October 13.

• Dates: October 11, 12 and 13
• Venue: Santa Clara Fairgrounds, 131 Old Tully Road, San Jose CA 95111
• Contact: info@prabasi.org, 626-277-7932
• Website: Prabasi.org

BASC Durgotsav 2024, Southern California

BASC, the Bengali Association of Southern California, hosts one of the best Durga Puja celebrations in California. A nonprofit philanthropic organization in the San Gabriel Valley of Los Angeles County, BASC is among the few best places to catch up with Indians and indulge in Bengali culture during Durga Puja away from home. 

On October 18, the first day of the puja, the Bengali Association of Southern California will present an unforgettable evening with Nandy Sisters, the social media sensation duo in playback singing. A live performance by Sukhwinder Singh will make you grove to hit Bollywood numbers on October 19.

• Dates: October 18, 19 and 20
• Venue: Bridges Auditorium, 450 N College Way, Claremont, CA 91711
• Contact: info@bascweb.org, 714-342-5266, +1 626-390-1224
• Website: bascweb.org

Also Read: How Goddess Kali Came to California from Kolkata

Pashchimi Durga Puja 2024, Bay Area

Wondering where to celebrate Durga Puja in SF Bay Area? One of the most popular California Durga puja events 2024, Bay Area Pashchimi Durga Puja is an unmatched celebration of Bengali culture and traditions. Founded in 2004 as a nonprofit organization, Pashchimi has teamed up with Children International for this puja. Children International strives to provide underprivileged girl children with seamless access to education in India. Pashchimi Durga Puja is known for its adherence to age-old traditions. October 22 is a DJ and dandiya night at Pashchimi.  

• Dates: October 9 to 13
• Venue: Oasis Palace Restaurant, 35145 Newark Blvd, CA
• Contact: contact@pashchimi.org, 408-883-5304
• Website: Pashchimi.org

Santa Clara WomenNow Durga Puja, SF Bay Area

Of Bay Area Durga Puja events 2024, WomenNow TV’s Durga Utsav in Santa Clara is a unique, all-women celebration. Inspired by the idea of celebrating the collective power of women in real, WomenNow TV’s CEO Ena Sarkar and her team organize the festivity every year. Ena Sarkar, the founder and CEO of WomenNow TV, a South Asian talk show, is at the helm of this California Durga Puja. Their celebration starts with pushpanjali on Maha Ashtami and ends with sindoor khela on Maha Dashami. The outdoor event features shopping markets, street food stalls, and cultural activities including Dandiya nights.

Read our exclusive article on Santa Clara Durga Utsav by WomenNow TV.

The traditional festivity will follow a Tauba Tauba Dandiya evening on October 11. It is a ticketed event and the entry fee is $10 per person. Since festivities and revelry go hand in hand, WomenNow TV organizes a DJ night on the evening of October 12 for its members and other attendees.

• Dates: October 12 and 13
• Venue: 617 Jackson Ave, San Jose, CA
• Contact: info@womennow.tv, +1 510-364-4271

Los Angeles Durga Puja 2024: Valley Bengali Community

Valley Bengali Community’s Durga puja is another grand celebration in the Greater Los Angeles Area. Musical evenings are a highlight of their event. The 9th Durgotsav celebration by Valley Bengali Community will see gripping performances by none other than Usha Uthup and Cactus band from Kolkata. Usha Uthup, who needs no introduction, and Cactus will set the stage on fire with electrifying rock music on October 4 and 5 respectively. Both are ticketed programs. You can enjoy classic and contemporary music, from Rabindra Sangeet to retro numbers to folk music and Bollywood hits.

• Dates: October 4 to 6
• Venue: Birmingham Community Charter High School, 17000 Haynes St, Van Nuys, CA 91406
• Contact: vbc@valleybengali.org, 818-564-6592
• Website: Durga.valleybengali.org

SAIKAT Durga Puja 2024, San Diego

Among Southern California Durga Puja events, SAIKAT Durgotsav 2024 has a great lineup of cultural programs, including a melodious evening, a dance drama, a stage play and other performing arts by different age groups. SAIKAT, the Bengali Association of San Diego, is an active philanthropic organization volunteering hours for and contributing to charities. On the occasion of Durga Puja, SAIKAT releases an annual magazine wherein their community members’ literary and creative writeups find space.

• Dates: October 12 and 13
• Venue: San Pasqual High School, San Diego
• Contact: ec@saikat.org
• Website: Saikat.org

Also Check: What Makes Travel to Kolkata Cheaper and Better

Baybasi Durga Puja 2024, Foster City

For the past 15 years, BayBasi has been organizing one of the best Durga Puja events in San Francisco Bay Area. Their handmade pandal set against the panoramic view of a lagoon in the backdrop is a must-see attraction. A leading non-profit organization of Bengalis in Foster City, BayBasi has a crowd-pulling schedule of cultural programs including dandiya and DJ night on October 4, the first day of the celebration.

• Dates: October 4, 5 and 6
• Venue: REC Center Meadows, Foster City, CA 94404
• Contact: +1 650-489-8139 | baybasi@baybasi.us
• Website: Baybasi.us

Santa Barbara Vedanta Temple Durga Puja 2024

The Vedanta Society of Southern California organizes Durga Puja at the Santa Barbara Temple every year. Founded in 1956 and consecrated to Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa, the Santa Barbara Vedanta Temple deserves a mention for its absolute devotion to Goddess Durga in compliance with the rituals and traditions followed by Belur Math in Bengal. Unlike other Durga Puja events in California, the Santa Barbara Vedanta Temple’s Durga Puja celebration is known for its simplicity. The serene location of the temple in a scenic mountain range overlooking the Pacific Ocean is another pull.

• Dates: October 10 to 13
• Venue: 927 Ladera Ln, Montecito, CA 93108
• Contact: santabarbara@vedanta.org, 805 969 2903
• Website: Vedanta.org/santa-barbara-temple/

NorCal Bengali Association Prothoma Durga Puja, SF Bay Area

The Northern California Bengali Association of Silicon Valley is one of the best places to enjoy Durga Puja events in the SF Bay Area. More than 100 members of the community prepare the culinary offering (bhog) for Goddess Durga and her children. Various cultural performances including dhunuchi naach and Prangon dance are lined up as part of the schedule at NorCal Prothoma Durga Pujo 2024. The women members of NorCal Bengali Association will perform a Prangon dance to welcome Maa Durga.

Papon, a popular playback singer and composer from Mumbai, will lend cheers to the Durga Pujo celebration by Prothoma, NorCal Bengali Association, on October 12. Fakira, a local music band, will churn out groovy numbers to a live audience on October 13.

• Dates: October 11, 12 and 13
• Venue: HUSD Performing Arts Center, Hayward, 2390 Panama Street, CA 94545
• Contact: +1 408-940-6846
• Website: Norcalba.org

The post Visit These Best Places in California to Celebrate Durga Puja 2024 and Other Indian Festivals appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

India is all set to celebrate the 78th Independence Day this August 15, and so are Indians in America. The way Indians abroad celebrate the Independence of Mother India is no way different from the celebration at home. Hence, like previous years, the calendar of August 2024 is full of Independence Day events for nearly 5 million Indian-origin population in the United States.

This exclusive list of major Indian Independence Day 2024 events in USA is brought to you by Travel Beats, a leading community portal for the Indian Diaspora in America. Travel Beats is a subsidiary by Indian Eagle, the most-trusted travel-booking partner for Indians in America. These events not only celebrate the Independence of Mother India, but also Indian Americans’ roots, culture and pride of being desi to the core.

PC: Travel Beats | IndianEagle.com

New York India Day Parade 2024

The New York India Day Parade is a special mention among the Indian Independence Day events in the United States. Scheduled on 18 August 2024, the parade will kick off at 12 noon from 38^th Street at Madison Avenue and feature a spectacular Ram Mandir tableau. Billed as the largest Indian Independence Day event outside of India, the NYC India Day Parade promises to be a vibrant celebration of Indian culture and heritage in the heart of New York City, with a great lineup of performances by different age-groups.

Actor Pankaj Tripathi is the Guest of Honor at the 42^nd Indian Day Parade NYC. Famed for his power-packed performances in Indian Cinema and web series, Tripathi’s presence is sure to add an extra spark to the much-awaited event. Organized by the Federation of India Association (FIA), the patriotic event was graced by spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar from Bengaluru in 2023. As important as the Diwali holiday in New York City, the India Day Parade follows FIA’s Empire State Building lighting, a must watch.

Atlanta Festival of India 2024

Since India’s 50th Independence Day, the Indian American Cultural Association of Atlanta has been organizing the Festival of India as one of the biggest Indian Independence Day events in USA. Scheduled on 17 August 2024, the 28^th Atlanta Festival of India will take place at Gas South Arena in Duluth, some 28 miles from Atlanta, GA. With music, feasting, shopping, yoga, chess, dance and artistic displays, the Festival of India – Atlanta is a ticketed event. You can look forward to a day of patriotic fervor at the cultural event sponsored by Delta Airlines and others.

Boston India Day Festival 2024

Organized by the Indian Association of Greater Boston, India Day Festival is one of the major events for Indians in New England, MA. Scheduled on 17 August, the IAGB’s India Day 2024 will celebrate 77 years of Independence with ‘Naach: Rhythms of the World’ at Hatch Shell Memorial, from 2 pm to 6:30 pm. ‘Naach: Rhythms of the World’ is highly anticipated to be a vibrant cultural program featuring music and dance performances by various Indian communities from New England. In 2023, the Indian Association of Greater Boston honored some trailblazers and achievers from the local community. You can visit www.iagb.org for more information about this culturally immersive event in Boston.

Fremont FOG India Day Parade, California

Of all the Indian Independence Day events in the US, Fremont’s FOG India Day Parade is a two-day celebration scheduled from 10 am on 17 August to 6 pm on 18 August. Sponsored by Air India and supported by the Indian Consulate in San Francisco, the 32^nd Festival of India in Fremont CA promises a comprehensive exploration of Indian culture, arts, craft, fashion, food and literature. The fair or mela with over 120 booths and exhibits that local Indian businesses put up to showcase their diverse merchandise is a major attraction of FOG India Day Parade and Festival at 39439 Paseo Padre pkwy in Fremont.

Los Angeles India Independence Day 2024

Other than looking forward to the upcoming Air India flights from LAX to India, SoCal Indians are eagerly waiting for the Independence Day event 2024 by the India Association of Los Angeles (IALA). Scheduled on August 24 (5pm – 10pm PDT), the 25^th Indian Independence Day will take place at Hjelte Sports Center, Burbank Blvd, Encino, CA 91436. The Guests of Honor are Dr. Srikar Reddy, the Consul General of India in San Francisco, and Congressman Brad Sherman. Since 1999, Los Angeles’ India Independence Day Celebration has been fostering unity and pride among Southern California Indians through music, dance, food, and artistry.

Venue: Hjelte Sports Center, Burbank Blvd, Encino, CA 91436

Illinois India Day Parade 2024

If you are looking to having a fun-filled day this Independence Day, you can mark 11 August on your calendar for the India Day Parade 2024 in Naperville, Illinois. One of the biggest events for Indians in the Midwest US, the India Day Parade will have its 10^th anniversary celebrated in a grander way this year. Organized by the Indian Community Outreach Organization, the most-anticipated event features an array of food, fun, fashion, other than dazzling fireworks, electrifying music, and mesmerizing dance performance.

A colorful, mile-long parade with decorated floats is the mainstay of the India Day Parade that will take place at Rotary Hill, 440 Aurora AVN, Naperville, which is a one-hour drive from Chicago. A live concert by Shankar Mahadevan, whom Bollywood’s music composer duo – Salim-Sulaiman – will accompany, will mark the 10^th anniversary of the event.

Michigan India Day 2024

Every year, Indians of Michigan get together to celebrate the Indian Independence Day as India Day in Novi, only 25 miles away from Detroit. Scheduled on 17 August (11 am – 8 pm), the India Day 2024, organized by the India League of America (ILA), is more or less the same as other Indian Independence Day events in the Midwest US. With traditional Indian food, dance and music, the India Day in Novi, MI will surely immerse you in the colors and flavors of India. Dalip Singh Rana aka the Great Khali, a renowned Indian American wrestler, is the chief celebrity guest this year.

Venue: Suburban Collection Showplace, 46100 Grand River Ave, Novi, MI 48374

Indian Independence Day in Loudoun County, Virginia

Anna Sudha Community Kitchens, a non-profit that runs a licensed kitchen and provides free meals to shelters, is organizing the Indian Independence Day festival in Loudoun County, VA. Among all upcoming Indian events in Virginia, the 78^th Indian Independence Day will be celebrated through interesting displays of India’s rich culture and heritage.  Reportedly, a spectacular show on the cultural festivals celebrated across India is also part of the event schedule.

Scheduled on 17 August (11am – 5;30pm ETD), the event programs include a Kuchipudi dance performance by Bharata Mallika, a Bharatanatyam dance drama by Tapasya School of Dance, and a Bollywood dance performance by Nehas Thumkas Dance Academy. The venue is Dulles Town Center, 21100 Dallas Town Circle, Virginia.

India Independence Day Festival, Florida

The Association of Indians in America’s Florida Chapter is gearing up for the India Independence Day Festival in Fort Lauderdale on August 18. One of the major events for Indian immigrants in Florida, the Independence Day Festival is a much-awaited occasion to bask in the glory of the home country, soak in the patriotic vibes, and pay a tribute to Mother India. Cultural programs, delicious Indian food, ethnic fashion, and patriotic music are the main draws of the event. Interested visitors can visit AIAFL.org for more information.

Venue: Broward Center, 201 SW Fifth Avenue, Fort Lauderdale 33312

Jai Ho! Indian Independence Day near Austin, TX

Jai Ho! India Independence Day in Round Rock near Austin is the biggest patriotic celebration in Texas, home to the second largest Indian-origin population in the US. With a free concert by Bollywood singer Shilpi Paul, Jai Ho! India Day promises a musical evening from 6pm to 9pm on 17 August 2024. Indians in and around Austin are enthusiastically looking forward to watching or participating in the state parade that will be followed by the musical evening. The state parade will commence with the national anthem of India and the US. Scheduled to take place at Centennial Plaza in Round Rock, this is one of the few free events among Indian Independence Day celebrations across the USA.

Brought to you by Indian Eagle Travel, the above listing of the Indian Independence Day celebrations in USA is neither sponsored by any of the event organizers, nor endorsed by us.

The post Soak in Patriotic Vibes at 10 Best Indian Independence Day Events across USA in August 2024 appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

After having witnessed the Ram Temple’s groundbreaking ceremony on giant billboards, the iconic Times Square is all set to celebrate moments of New York Indians’ pride and patriotism this August 15. In a first, a leading diaspora group will celebrate the Indian Independence Day 2020 in New York by unfurling the Tricolor in all its glory at Times Square. Randhir Jaiswal, the Consul General of India in New York, will be presiding over the ceremony as the guest of honor.

“The first-ever Indian flag hoisting ceremony at the Times Square will create history thousands of miles away from India this August 15, and it’s a fitting tribute to the country where we are deeply rooted in,” said the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA), a tri-state diaspora group of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.

The illumination of the Empire State Building in saffron, white, green – the symbolic hues of the Tricolor – is an annual tradition in New York. This tradition will be observed this year too, on the eve of the first-ever Tricolor hoisting ceremony at the Times Square, the FIA spokesperson confirmed in a media statement. Notably, the Empire State lighting ceremony is too spectacular to be missed.

The Times Square is very much a part of Indian life in New York City. It is not just a favorite haunt of New York Indians, but also a throbbing haven of Indian festivities. Be it Diwali, Holi, or international yoga day, the Times Square gets soaked in unparalleled festive fervor. Diwali at the Times Square is one of the most popular Indian events in New York. Indians of different age groups having thronged the Times Square and defied the pandemic to mark the Ram Temple’s foundation-laying ceremony, is the latest testimony to the historic landmark being unique to the ways of Indian life.

However, New York’s India Day Parade, one of the best Indian Independence Day celebrations in the USA, is cancelled this year due to restrictions in view of the COVID19 pandemic. The India Day Parade in New York is a flagship event organized by the Federation of Indian Associations every year.

Besides the Indian Flag hoisting event at the Times Square, New York’s Consulate General of India is scheduled to host an Independence Day celebration through a virtual medium this August 15. The virtual event will be live-streamed and attended by leading Indian American community members.

The post Wow! New York is Set to Hoist Indian Flag at Iconic Times Square this August 15 for First Time appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

Indian Americans need no longer worry about how to connect their US-born children with Indian culture and heritage. They need not bring from India or request a relative in India to send or buy online books on Indian epics, Indian history, Indian cultural heritage or noble Indians. All thanks to young Indian American siblings – Nikhita Mahendru and Vikram Mahendru – for launching a dedicated portal of short videos with animated content on the stories of Ramayana, Mahabharata, Gita, Indian gods and festivals of India!

Named StoryChatter.com, the website is a single-key window to the traditional stories of India, which have been passed on from one generation to the other for centuries. New Jersey-based Nikhita Mahendru and Vikram Mahendru broke from the conventional way of telling stories and attempted visually engaging animated storytelling, a great hit with today’s children in the current times of digital media.

Through animated videos with visual narratives, the Indian American siblings have made it a lot easier for kids to know what the importance of Indian festivals is, why we celebrate Dussehra, Diwali and Holi; what the interesting facts about age-old Indian temples are, why we worship Lord Krishna, Lord Hanuman, Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesha, Goddess Durga, Lord Ayyappan and other deities; What the stories of Ramayana and Mahabharata are; who Guru Nanak, Rabindranath Tagore, Swami Vivekananda, Bhagat Singh, Mahatma Gandhi, Shivaji, Netaji and Maharana Pratap are.

To say in precise terms, the website StoryChatter is a mini video-based encyclopedia on Indian culture, heritage and history. It offers a free two-week trial period to new users. Once the free period is over, the users can buy a monthly subscription of unlimited video streaming only for $2.99. The videos available at StoryChatter website can be streamed on any supported website for hassle-free viewing anytime and anywhere. The subscription fees will be used to create new videos on the myths, epics, festivals, and legends of India.

“We tried our best to retain the charm of the way our grandparents would tell stories of Indian heritage and cultural values, in all of the 65 videos currently available. All throughout our childhood, we observed grandparents’ animated storytelling style which was powerful enough to make us visualize the stories and engage with the characters. When they left for India, our parents got us enrolled in Sunday classes at a local temple, but the storytelling there did neither quench our thirst for interesting stories of India nor feed our imagination. The multifarious, magical Indian mythical figures were reduced to mere lifeless things in the textbooks there,” said Nikhita Mahendru and Vikram Mahendru, the founders of StoryChatter video portal.

Nikhita Mahendru, a senior and Vikram Mahendru, a sophomore at Millburn High School in New Jersey have put months of research into this culturally edifying project for children of Indian origin in America. They compiled information about Indian cultural heritage from all sources available online as well as offline, penned original scripts, revised the scripts several times to come up with simple, easy-to-understand versions for young minds, mostly from elementary schools.

In the process of connecting US-born kids of Indian descent with their cultural roots, New Jersey Indian siblings – Nikhita Mahendru and Vikram Mahendru – have become cultural ambassadors for the Indian American community and philanthropists for the underprivileged children at the Social Outreach Foundation Primary School in Noida, their parents’ hometown in India. Yes, a portion of the subscription fees from the StoryChatter website users goes to a welfare fund for those children.

Travel Beats, a subsidiary of Indian Eagle, strives to promote achievements of young Indians in USA. Indian Eagle, a most trusted travel booking partner of Indians in America, not only helps you travel for cheap last-minute airfares to India but also shares latest updates on visa, immigration, Indian passport and major airlines.

The post These Indian American Siblings Make Kids Learn Indian Culture & Mythology through Visual Storytelling appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

Indian American kids created a new history in the finals of the 92^nd National Spelling Bee this year. The eighth co-champions of the National Spelling Bee 2019 included seven Indian American kids, including three from Texas, two from New Jersey, one from Maryland, and one from San Jose, California. Out of the 16 finalists this year, 11 were of Indian-origin. Many people scratch their heads pondering over what makes a handful of Indian American kids beat a few million spellers from across North America.

‘Breaking the Bee’, an acclaimed documentary on what makes Indian American kids shine in National Spelling Bee competitions had a special screening at the 2018 New York Indian Film Festival (NYIFF) and other leading film festivals in the United States.

All about ‘Breaking the Bee’ Documentary

The first-generation Indians in America have come out with flying colors in the National Spelling Bee competitions for two decades. Among the 21 champions of the Scripps National Spelling Bee contests held from 1999 to 2016, 17 winners are young Indian Americans. The consistent success of Indian-origin contestants has raised many eyebrows and questions especially because the Indian American community forms only one percent of the United States’ total population, according to the 2014 US census.

Breaking The Bee, a 2017 documentary film on Indian American kids who are as potential as child prodigies, packs in the answer to all the questioning minds, frowned foreheads and raised fingers.  Two journalists from Business Insider Films, Sam Rega and Chris Weller made the documentary to decode the mystery of Indian American students’ success in the National Spelling Bee contests.

Breaking the Bee dispels all doubts and questions like what motivates the contestants from the Indian American community to take over the top 10, year after year; what drives them to ascend in the competition, etc. There are innumerable speculations and explanations over the winning performance of young Indian Americans in the spelling bee. More than 40% of total 45 finalists in the National Spelling Bee 2016 were from the Indian community in USA.

The makers of the feature-length documentary Breaking The Bee explored the family life, cultural background, ambitions, study habits, training, zeal and talent of the Indian American National Spelling Bee winners to discover what led them to meet with success. The documentary also features some of the Indian-origin kids who participated in the 2017 Scripps National Spelling Bee.

6-year-old Akash Vukoti from San Angelo in Texas is the one of the spelling bee geniuses who ‘Breaking The Bee’ features. He was the youngest contestant in the 2016 Scripps National Spelling Bee.

The filmmaker duo – Sam Rega and Chris Weller – also caught up with USA-based sociologists, teachers, journalists, anthropologists and other professionals who are close to Indian Americans and have observed their cultural lives. These experts helped the makers of Breaking the Bee documentary frame a picture of what plays the instrumental in the success of Indian American kids in the National Spelling Bee competition.

Some of the findings by the filmmakers of Breaking The Bee are that Indian American spelling bee finalists have a definitive edge over others because of their bilingual proficiency; they spend long hours studying the connotations and structures of English words under the strict tutelage of their coaches and parents; they undergo formidable training sessions and tests.

Indian American kids have not only shone in the National Spelling Bee contests but also stood out in the National Geographic Bee competitions in USA. The National Geographic Bee is a most popular competition in which millions of school children participate from across America and their knowledge of geography is tested. The winning edge of young Indian Americans in both of these knowledge competitions has been reported over 80% in the past 10 years.  

This story is brought to you by Indian Eagle Travel at its overseas Indian community portal, Travel Beats, as part of the continued effort to promote achievements of Indians in USA. Indian Eagle not only strives to make last minute air tickets from US to India cheaper, but also caters inspiring community stories, visa & immigration news, and international travel alerts through free newsletters.

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The aftereffects of the last few successive winter storms are lingeringly fading out of New York. With summer approaching the Northeast USA, New York is gradually crawling out of the pale, snowy, numbing winter atmosphere. Some New Yorkers have already started making a list of the best things to do in New York City in summer 2018. After all, they are eagerly waiting to spend time outdoors on bright, sunny days, and cozy summer evenings.

We at Travel Beats, an Indian American Community portal for all Desis including New York Indians, recommend a visit to the Children’s Museum of Manhattan among the things to do in NYC summer 2018 for a different reason altogether.

The Children’s Museum of Manhattan to Exhibit Indian Culture & Heritage

The Children’s Museum of Manhattan will hold an exclusive exhibition on Indian culture and heritage in the months of summer 2018. Titled The Namaste Express, the upcoming exhibition at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan in New York is part of the ongoing series of shows providing knowledge of world cultures and heritage. The museum has already exhibited the cultural heritage of ancient Greece, China, Japan and other countries.

Deemed one of the best NYC events in summer 2018 for kids, The Namaste Express at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan will take the kids on a spectacular ride through the cultural and historical corridors of India. American kids of Indian origin or first-generation Indian American kids can make the most of The Namaste Express exhibition to explore India’s cultural heritage, linguistic diversity, historical richness, geographical beauty and technological advancements.

The Children’s Museum of Manhattan has conceptualized The Namaste Express as “an interactive train journey through India.” The exhibition layout at the museum will be designed in such a way so as to make the families feel like they are in India.

Fun Activities during The Namaste Express at Children’s Museum of Manhattan:

Among the upcoming New York Indian events in summer 2018, the exhibition promises lots of fun for kids and their parents. Besides the interactive ride, there will be a number of amusing programs, like watching a Rajasthani puppet show, riding a hand-pulled rickshaw, playing in the premises of a grand Indian fort, dancing to Indian traditional music, practicing yoga at a yoga center, learning popular phrases in several Indian languages, etc. Last but not the least, there will be a Bollywood stage within the exhibition layout to make it one of the best things to do in New York summer 2018.

“The exhibition layout will allow kids and their parents to make multiple stops at different Indian states and cities and experience the variety of architectural styles, cultures and environments through colors, shapes, structures and landscapes,” said Lizzy Martin, the Director of Exhibition Development and Museum Planning.

The Children’s Museum of Manhattan in New York is inviting the Indian American community to share their ideas for the exhibition, The Namaste Express. The museum is also looking for performers and artists to make the exhibition a most spectacular cultural extravaganza for the family audience.

The museum will run the exhibition for three months of summer 2018 in New York and may host it in other US cities for 4 years, based on the response.

The post New York to Host Cultural Train Journey ‘The Namaste Express’ for Indians in Summer 2018 appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

Be it Ganesh Puja or Durga Puja in USA, Indian Americans’ enthusiasm for festivities knows no bound. They exhibit similar exuberance when it comes to celebrating Indian festivals in USA as while in India. That’s why Virginia Indian community from the Washington DC Metropolitan Area organized one of the biggest Ganesh puja celebrations in America.

Indians of Lorton in Virginia meticulously planned a 10-day Ganesh puja event at the Workhouse Arts Center in the national capital region of USA. A 20-feet eco-friendly Ganesh idol, a 1000-pound laddu, and a 10-long cultural program are some of the major highlights of the Virginia Ganesh festival at the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton.

Popular with Indian Americans in and around Washington DC, the Virginia Ganesh festival commenced on August 25 with the installation of a breath-taking Ganesh idol from Kolkata, India. A group of artisans in Kolkata made the idol with high-quality fiberglass for 45 days.

A 1000-pound laddu (a traditional Indian sweet dish) has been offered to the deity during the 10-day Virginia Ganesh puja event in Lorton. It took 12 volunteers two days to cook the giant laddu with authentic ingredients. The festivity will culminate in spectacular immersion of the idol and distribution of the laddu as Prasad.

Daily maha aarti of the deity is performed four times a day – 11 AM, 2 PM, 6 PM and 8 PM – in eight Indian languages. The aarti and archana, a numinous attraction of the Virginia Ganesh festival, draws a huge crowd of devotees from the Washington DC Metropolitan area. Interestingly, the Ganesh puja events at Lorton’s Workhouse Arts Center are expected to fetch more than 80,000 devotees over 10 days this year.

Also Check: Ganesh Puja – Hyderabad vs Mumbai

Cultural programs, drone racing, virtual reality, 3D selfies printing and art workshop for children are some of the daily events for visitors and devotees to engage with the festival until September 3, 2017. The schedule of the Virginia Ganesh festival events includes a live performance by Indian Idol PVNS Rohit and fireworks on September 2, 2017. Grand immersion of the deity will follow a musical performance on Sunday, September 3.

Kids2Kids Network, an Ashburn-based non-profit organization, is the organizer of the Virginia Ganesh festival in Lorton. Incepted 3 years back aiming to motivate and aid students of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), Kids2Kids Network hosts Ganesh puja at the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton for children to heave a sigh of relief from the pressure of studies.

Also Check: Interesting Things about Tirupati Laddu Prasad

The Virginia Ganesh festival is not just a religious celebration but also a cultural one since it brings Indians from the Washington DC Metropolitan region for a get-together during daily cultural events. It helps children refresh their minds and imbibe Indian values at the same time. Indians can go on a shopping spree for traditional jewelry, clothes and food at nearly 100 booths at the festival venue.

Interestingly, Kids2Kids Network will donate the 20-feet Ganesh idol to an organization for a similar celebration in USA. A four feet clay idol will be immersed on the 10^th and last day of the Virginia Ganesh festival in Lorton.

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Durga Puja! It’s one of the few Indian festivals that overseas Indians’ nostalgia runs high for. Durga Puja is celebrated wherever Bengalis are. With the Indian Bengali community spiraling across the world, this festival has become a global celebration. Obviously, Durga Puja is not an uncommon festivity in USA where there is a good number of Bengalis. Durga Puja in USA may not match the grandeur of the celebration in India, but Bengalis in the United States celebrate it with lots of enthusiasm. If you are new in the US and wondering where to celebrate Durga Puja 2017 in USA, we at Indian Eagle recommend the following best places for Durga Puja celebrations in USA:

Atlanta Durga Puja 2017: Georgia

The Bengali Association of Greater Atlanta (BAGA) is known for its traditional Durga puja celebration in Georgia, USA. One of the best Atlanta Indian events in September 2017, this Durga Puja in USA is a window to the Bengali culture, heritage and traditions. The Bengali Association of Greater Atlanta’s Durga puja 2017 celebration packs in lots of excitement for Atlanta Indians as Anupam Roy from Kolkata will strike the cords of hearts with his melodies. Surojit, another great artist from Kolkata and his band will perform on the second day of the Greater Atlanta Durga Puja 2017 in USA.

• Dates:September 29 – October 1
• Venue: Northside Driver Northwest, Atlanta, GA
• Contact:bodchair.baga@gmail.com

Also Read: All You Need to Know about Bengali Food

Atlanta Durga Puja 2017: Lilburn, GA

Among the upcoming celebrations of Durga Puja 2017 in USA is the one in Lilburn by Pujari, a nonprofit, nonpolitical, and socio-cultural organization of Atlanta Indian Bengalis. Founded by a group of Bengalis in and around Atlanta, GA, Pujari has been celebrating Durga puja in Lilburn for over a decade. The Pujari Durgotsav 2017 is the biggest not only in Atlanta but in Georgia. The cultural programs on the schedule of Pujari Durgotsav 2017 include a live music show by National Award-winning Imon Chakrabarty from Kolkata. The venue of this Atlanta Durga Puja 2017 is below:

• Dates:September 29 – October 1
• Venue: Berkmar High School, 405 Pleasant Hill Road, Lilburn GA
• Contact: pr@pujari.org, 404 641 5353

New England Durga Puja 2017: Littleton, MA

Durga Puja in Littleton, MA is recognized as one of the best Indian events in the Greater Boston Area. Bangla-O-Biswa, a premier nonprofit organization of Bengalis in and around New England, is at the helm of this Durga puja 2017 in USA. The Littleton-based Bangla-O-Biswa is known for celebrating the cultural heritage of Bengal in New England. The cultural programs on the schedule of New England Durga Puja 2017 include a live concert by Surojit Chatterjee’s band from Kolkata. A grand mela with stalls selling Bengali food and handcrafted items is the main attraction of the Durga Puja 2017 in Littleton, MA.

• Dates: September 29 – October 1
• Venue: Littleton High School, 56 King St, Littleton, MA-01460
• Contact: banglaobiswa@gmail.com

Also Read: Indian Freedom Fighter’s Favorite Bengali Food

Maryland Durga Puja 2017: Washington

Sanskriti Inc. is all set to celebrate Durga Puja 2017 in Maryland. A nonprofit, socio-cultural and educational organization of Bengalis in the Washington Metro Area, Sanskriti is leaving no stone unturned to make Durga Puja a grand celebration this year. The Maryland Durga Puja 2017 comes with a great schedule of cultural events including a musical evening by Jimut & Chandrika (Sa Re Ga Ma Champion and Finalist of 2017). The second day of the puja will be steeped in mellifluous songs from the golden era of Bengali Cinema.

• Dates: September 29 – October 1
• Venue: Gaithersburg High School, 101 Education BLVD, Gaithersburg, MD 20877
• Contact: info@sanskriti-dc.org

Chicago Durga Puja 2017: Glendale Heights, IL

The Bengali Association of Greater Chicago (BAGC) hosts one of the biggest Durga Puja celebrations in Illinois. The Glendale Heights Durga Puja 2017 will be held in the first week of October whereas most of the Durga Puja events in USA are scheduled to take place in the last week of September this year. The Bartlett High School is the venue for the BAGC Durga Puja 2017 in Greater Chicago. Below are the venue and dates of this Durga Puja 2017 in Chicago:

• Dates:October 6 – 8
• Venue: Bartlett High School
• Contact: bagc@googlegroups.com

Also Read: Interesting Facts about Kumari Puja in Bengal

Seattle Durga Puja 2017: North Bend, WA

Uttoron, a nonprofit organization of Bengalis in the Greater Seattle area of Northwest USA, celebrates Durga Puja with lots of enthusiasm thousands of miles away from Bengal. Popular in North Bend, WA, the Uttoron Durga Puja is one of the best desi cultural events in Greater Seattle. Bellevue College is the venue for this Durga Puja 2017 in USA. Uttoran keeps a great schedule of cultural activities other than Durga Puja. Check the following details of Seattle Durga Puja 2017.

• Dates: September 29 to October 1
• Venue: Bellevue College, 3000 Landerholm Circle SE, Bellevue, WA 98007
• Contact: uttoron@uttoron.org

Orlando Durga Puja 2017: Leesburg, Florida

The Anjali Hindu Society of Central Florida celebrates Durga Puja in Orlando every year, and organizes a number of community programs throughout the year. The Orlando Durga Puja 2017 is expected to be grander than the previous years. Popular with Bengali Indians in Greater Orlando, this event is open to all Indian communities there. You can contribute to the Anjali Hindu Society of Central Florida by donating to or volunteering the cultural programs of the Orlando Durga Puja in Leesburg.

• Dates:September 30
• Venue: 2229 South Street, Leesburg, FL 34748
• Contact:anjalihscfl@gmail.com, 352 404 2721

Also Read: Why Bengalis are Crazy about Durga Puja

Tampa Bay Durga Puja 2017: Florida

Soikot, the Bengali Society of Greater Tampa Bay, organizes one of the best Durga Puja celebrations in Florida. A nonprofit group under Florida Statutes 617, Soikot celebrates major Bengali cultural festivals including Durga Puja, Saraswati Puja, Netaji Jayanti, Rabindra Jayanti and other occasions. The main attractions of Tampa Bay Durga Puja 2017 are two musical evenings: one by Anupam Roy and the other by Shakha Lahiri from Kolkata, India. Check the venue and schedule of this Durga Puja 2017 in USA:

• Dates:September 29 – October 1
• Venue: To be announced
• Contact:soikotflorida@gmail.com

Miami Metropolitan Durga Puja: Sunrise, Florida

The Bengali Association of South Florida (BASFL) is credited with organizing a grand Durga Puja celebration in the Miami metropolitan area. Founded in 2007 as a nonprofit, socio-cultural organization, the Bengali Association of South Florida celebrates Durga Puja as part of their continued effort to keep up with the cultural heritage and traditions of Bengal. The two-day schedule of this Durga Puja 2017 in USA is full of musical programs, including an eclectic mix of old and new Hindi and Bangla songs. Below are the venue and schedule of this South Florida Durga Puja 2017:

• Venue: WestPine Middle School, 9393 NW 50^th Street, Sunrise FL 33531
• Dates: September 30 and October 1
• Contact: sf.bengali@gmail.com

Also Read: New English Biopic on Rabindranath Tagore

Cincinnati Durga Puja 2017: Ohio

The Cincinnati Durga Utsav is a grand cultural bash for and by Bengalis in Cincinnati, Ohio. In its tenth year, the Cincinnati Durga Utsav will be celebrated over great cultural programs including two live concerts by Rupankar and Sona Mahapatra, two popular singers from India, and a Bengali play ‘Pater Bibi’. Driven by the motto, “Together We Can,” Cincinnati Bengalis come up with new ideas and thoughts for the annual Durga puja celebration.

• Dates: September 29 – October 1
• Venue: Little Miami High School, 3001 E US Highway 22 and 3, Morrow, OH 45152 
• Contact:hellocci2014@gmail.com, 513-898-1462

Northern Virginia Durga Puja 2017: Herndon, VA

The Northern Virginia Bengali Association’s (NVBA) Durga Puja event deserves a mention on our list of Durga Puja 2017 in USA for its theme-based celebration. Banglar Anondo Dhara (Bengal’s Stream of Bliss) is the theme of Northern Virginia Durga Puja 2017. Bengali folk music and dance is at the core of their cultural celebration. The Northern Virginia Bengali Association sticks to their native culture and heritage on all occasions.

Write to novabacommittee@yahoo.com for venue and schedule of Northern Virginia Durga Puja.

Richmond Durga Puja 2017: Virginia

Greater Richmond Bengali Association is one of the thriving Bengali organizations in USA. They organize four major events every year: Saraswati Puja, Poila Boisakh, Annual Picnic and Durga Puja to connect their children born and brought up in USA with the culture and heritage of Bengal. They had imported Durga idol from Bengal for the puja in 2001. With the community strength growing over years, the Richmond Durga Puja has become a most awaited celebration for Bengalis in and around Virginia.

• Dates: September 23 and 24
• Venue:Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen, 2880 Mountain Rd, VA 23060

Also Read: Rabindranath Tagore’s Best Quotes about Life

Greater Baltimore Durga Puja 2017: Maryland

Prantik, a Bengali association in the Greater Baltimore Metropolitan Area, is known for its Durga puja celebration in Maryland. One of the oldest Bengali organizations in USA, Prantikhas been a host to many eminent artists from Kolkata, including SuchitraMitra, Hemanta Mukhopadhyay, Dwijen Mukhopadhyay, Chinmoy Chatterjee, Kanika Bannerjee, Aparna Sen, Ajay Chakrabarty, Utpalendu Choudhury, Sabita Choudhury to name a few. You can imagine how grand Prantik’s Durga Puja 2017 in USA is.

• Dates: September 23
• Venue: Long Reach High School, 6101 Old Dobbin Lane, Columbia, MD 21045

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