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 2023 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 2023 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, NY

Hindu temples in New York are among the best places for NYC Diwali 2023 events. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir at Melville, Long Island organizes children’s Diwali celebration every year to make kids understand the significance of the festival and walk them through the traditional rituals. Children learn the art of making diyas and traditional decorations such as rangoli. BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in New York will celebrate kids’ Diwali on November 04.

Indians of New York can visit BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Long Island for Diwali and Chopda Puja on November 12 this year. The ceremony ‘Chopda Puja’ is an age-old cultural tradition wherein Gujarati and Marwari business people close their old account books and open new ones in paper or electric form (or both), and seek blessings of Goddess Lakshmi for a new year as per the Hindu calendar.

Date: November 4 (10 am to 4 pm) and November 12 (5 pm to 8 pm)

Pelham Art Center Diwali 2023, NYC 

Among the places for Diwali 2023 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 19
• Time: 1-3 pm
• Venue: Pelham Art Center, 155 Fifth Avenue, NY 10803

Bhakti Center Diwali at Manhattan

Diwali at Bhakti Center in New York is out and out a community affair. Bhakti Center, a spiritual retreat of enlightening Bhakti yoga practices in New York City, hosts a Diwali mela every year. The Diwali mela is a cultural extravaganza full of culinary delights and musical revelry. Diwali celebration is more of a spiritual occasion to connect with the Divine than a mere celebration of light over darkness and that of knowledge over ignorance at Bhakti Center on New York City’s lower east side.

• Date: November 12
• Time: 5 pm – 9 pm
• Venue: 25 First Avenue, Manhattan, NY 10003
• Contact: info@bhakticenter.org

Brooklyn Children’s Museum Diwali 2023

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 and these include a mithai-making workshop and lantern-making at their ColorLab art studio. Children would love the storytime with author Navina Chhabria. 

• Date: November 9
• Time: 2PM – 5 PM
• Venue: 145 Brooklyn Avenue, NY 11213

Flushing Townhall Diwali 2023 in Queens, NY

Of all Diwali 2023 events in New York, the Flushing Townhall Diwali celebration is known for its cultural aspects. Their event features Bollywood, Kathak, and contemporary dance by Abha Roy and Ishita Mili. Abha is a Kathak exponent and the director of Srijan Dance Center. Ishita is a Bharatanatyam dancer. Celebrating the festival of lights at Flushing Townhall in Queens is a great opportunity to learn classical dance moves infused with hip hop.

You can take part in the rangoli design program, one of the mainstays of their annual event, this time with Anju Gupta. If you’re a foodie, you can binge on Indian foods there and also learn recipes from Chef Nupur, the founder of Queens Curry Kitchen. You can join various other workshops there, such as handicraft, henna art, calligraphy etc. Diwali at Flushing Town Hall is among the few ticketed Diwali events in NYC. Advance booking is recommended.

• Date: November 5
• Time: 11 am – 1 pm, 2 pm – 4 pm
• Venue: Flushing Town Hall Theatre, Queens

Diwali 2023 in Edison, New Jersey

After the success of Edison Township’s first Diwali celebration by Indian American Mayor Sam Joshi, the event is planned to be bigger and better this year. Edison’s Mayor Sam Joshi, who traces his roots in Gujarat, invites everyone to the Diwali 2023 event at Papaianni Park. You can participate in the Diya lighting ceremony there. Diwali being an Indian festivity, music and food are the mainstay of the event organized by Mayor Joshi.     

• Date: November 4
• Time: 12 to 9.30 pm
• Venue:  Papaianni Park, 100 Municipal BLVD, Edison
• Contact: 732-248-7283

Siddhachalam Jain Tirth Diwali Mela 2023, 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. On the day of the festival, i.e. Nov 13, they also organize Mahavira Nirvan Ladoo Puja as per Jain tradition.

• Date: November 4
• Venue: 111 Hope Road, Blairstown, NJ 07825
• Contact: (908) 362-9793
• RSVP at events@siddhachalam.org

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

Marlboro Indian Foundation Diwali 2023, New Jersey

One of the best Diwali events in New Jersey is organized by the Marlboro Indian Foundation, a non-profit community that was established in 2020. Named Diwali Milan, the celebration by the Marlboro Indian Foundation is a ticketed event. A ticket to the event costs $40-50 per adult, and it is $25 per kid in the age group of 5 to 16 years. The event comes with DJ music, dance, food, and of course, fireworks. This non-profit community has been felicitated by the Office of the Mayor, and the Senate of New Jersey State for promoting unity in diversity, organizing fund-raising drives, and spreading the joy of giving back. 

• Date: November 4
• Time: 5 pm to 11.30 pm
• Venue: Colts Neck Fire Company #2, 50 Conover Road, Colts Neck, NJ 07722
• Contact: marlboroindianfoundation@gmail.com   

Sanskriti of New Jersey Diwali 2023

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 2023 is back with its ‘Diwali Dinner and Dance’ gala on November 3 and a spectacular fireworks show on November 10. Miami-based record producer and rapper DJ Magic Mike will add a zing to the light-hearted evening on Nov 3. For families, there are lots of entertainment and special activities for kids from 7 pm to 9:30 pm. Dazzling firework is simply unmissable during the Diwali celebration by Sanskriti at Memorial Oval and Park in Livingston. 

• Date: November 3 (Dinner & Dance) and November 10 (Fireworks)
• Time: 6 PM to 11.30 PM
• Venue: Hotel Sheraton, 199 Smith Rd, Parsippany, NJ 07054 (Dinner & Dance); Memorial Oval and Park in Livingston (Fireworks)
• Contact: info@sanskritiofnj.org

The post Diwali 2023 Events in New York and New Jersey: Festival of Lights is Back with a Bang after Pandemic 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 2023 events in California.

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Los Angeles Durga Puja: Dakshini Bengali Association, CA 

Dakshini Bengali Association of California hosts one of the biggest Durga Puja events in the Great Los Angeles Area. A nonprofit, charitable, cultural organization; Dakshini Bengali Association of 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 are Padma Shri awardee Hariharan (on Oct 27) and famous Indian playback singer Shaan (on Oct 28). Dakshini members will get complimentary tickets to these concerts.

• Dates: October 27 to 29
• 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 2023

Bay Area Prabasi, a nonprofit Bengali Cultural Organization in Alameda County, is hosting the largest Durga Puja in North America this year as a mark of the community’s 50th 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. The elaborate celebration is filled with Bengali food, cultural programs, poetry nights and music concerts. For the poetry night on Oct 20, Bratati Bandopadhay will immerse you in her alluring recitals of well-known Bengali poems by Rabindranath Tagore, Sukumar Ray, and Shankha Ghosh among others. You can groove to some of the hit Bollywood numbers by Shaan during an electrifying concert on October 21 and reconnect with Bengali music as well as Rabindra Sangeet to be voiced by Srikanta Acharya and Subhamita Banerjee on October 22.

• Dates: October 20 – 22
• Venue: Chabot College, 25555 Hesperian Blvd, Hayward, CA 94545
• Contact: info@prabasi.org, 626-277-7932
• Website: Prabasi.org

BASC, Bengali Association of Southern California Durga Puja 2023

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, India. This year, the Bengali Association of Southern California will pay tribute to legendary musician Bappi Lahiri through an amazing musical event on October 21.

Live concerts by Iman Chakraborty, a National Film Award winner from Kolkata, on 20 October and Papon, northeast India’s singing sensation, on 21 October, will add a zing to BASC Durgotsav 2023. 

• Dates: October 20 to 22
• Venue: Monrovia High School, 845 W. Colorado Blvd. Monrovia, CA 91016
• Contact: info@bascweb.org, 786-970-3972
• Website: bascweb.org

Also Read: How Goddess Kali Came to California from Kolkata

Pashchimi Durga Puja 2023, Bay Area

Wondering where to celebrate Durga Puja in SF Bay Area? One of the most popular California Durga puja events 2023, 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 19 to 23
• Venue: Newark Pavilion, 6430 Thornton Ave, Newark, CA 94560
• Contact: contact@pashchimi.org, 408-883-5304
• Website: Pashchimi.org

Santa Clara WomenNow Durga Puja, SF Bay Area

Of Bay Area Durga Puja events 2023, 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 organizes 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 CEO.

• Dates: October 20 to 22
• Venue: 617 Jackson Ave, San Jose, CA
• Contact: info@womennow.tv

Los Angeles Durga Puja 2023: 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 Durga Puja event. The 8th Durgostav celebrations of Valley Bengali Community will see gripping performances by established singers such as Sahana Bajpai, Gourab Sarkar, Sanchari Sengupta and Bangla band Lakkhichhara. You can enjoy classic and contemporary music – from Rabindra Sangeet and retro tunes to folk and Bollywood hits.

• Dates: October 20 to 22 & November 4
• Venue: Birmingham Community Charter High School, 17000 Haynes St, Van Nuys, CA 91406
• Contact: vbc@valleybengali.org
• Website: Durga.valleybengali.org

SAIKAT Durga Puja 2023, San Diego

Among California Durga Puja celebrations, this Durga Puja is hosted by SAIKAT, the Bengali Association of San Diego in the Bay Area. The SAIKAT Durga Puja 2023 has a great lineup of musical programs including a melodious evening by Kiran and Nivi on OCT 21. SAIKAT is also an active philanthropic organization volunteering hours for and contributing to charitable efforts. On the occasion of Durga Puja, SAIKAT releases an annual magazine wherein their community members’ literary and creative writeups find space.

SAIKAT is organizing a special evening on October 28 which will be rocked by the Anupam Roy band from Kolkata.

• Dates: October 21 and 22
• Venue: Carmel Valley Middle School, San Diego
• Contact: ec@saikat.org
• Website: Saikat.org

Sacramento Durga Puja 2023: Ankur Bengali Cultural Organization

The Ankur Bengali Cultural Organization, a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization in Greater Sacramento Area, promises to offer cultural extravaganza on three days of its Durga Puja celebration in California. They celebrate the homecoming of Goddess Durga and her children with a lot more enthusiasm than other Durga Puja events in Sacramento, CA. Ankur Bengali Cultural Organization will organize Akal Bodhon, a dance drama by kids; Bengal to Bollywood, a dance extravaganza; Guldasta, a live concert this year.

Ankur Sacramento’s Durga Puja hangover will continue with Gaane Golpe Baithaki Adda on OCT 29 by Sohini Chakraborty, Ujjal Chowdhury, Ahana Paul, Debashis Maity, and Rick Chowdhury. 

• Dates: October 27 to 29
• Venue: Sacramento Turn Verein, 3349 J Street, Sacramento, CA
• Contact: +1 (916) 57-ANKUR | Ankursacpr08@gmail.com
• Website: Ankurinc.org

Also Check: What Makes Travel to Kolkata Cheaper and Better

Utsav Durga Puja 2023 in Orangevale, Sacramento 

The youngest of all Bengali communities in California, Utsav started celebrating Durga Puja in Orangevale in 2022. Their celebration of the homecoming of Goddess Durga is bigger and grander this year. The first day of the puja, October 21, will see a dance performance ‘Chromatic Symphony’, and a shruti natok by Sanjib Chattopadhyay, a renowned novelist and short story writer. A children’s play adapted from the Ramayana will give numinous vibes on the evening of October 22. 

• Dates: October 21 and 22
• Venue: Orangevale Community Center, 6826 Hazel Ave, Orangevale, CA 95662
• Contact: utsavpr@gmail.com
• Website: Utsavsac.org

Baybasi Sharod Utsav, Foster City

For the past 15 years, Baybasi has been organizing one of the best Durga Puja events in the San Francisco Bay Area. A leading non-profit organization of Bengalis in Foster City, Baybasi has come up with a crowd-pulling schedule of cultural programs including dandiya on October 20 and live concerts in the following days of the celebration. A special ‘Local Artist Program’ with live dance, music, and drama presentation on October 21 and a live concert on October 22 by Bengali singer Jojo Mukherjee are among the main attractions of the Baybasi Durga Puja in Foster City this year.

• Dates: October 20 to 22
• Venue: Leo J. Ryan Park 650 Shell Blvd, Foster City, CA 94404
• Contact: +1 650-489-8139 | baybasi@baybasi.us
• Website: Baybasi.us

Santa Barbara Vedanta Temple Durga Puja 2023

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 location of the temple in a scenic mountain range overlooking the Pacific Ocean is another pull.

• Dates: October 21 to 23
• Venue: 927 Ladera Ln, Montecito, CA 93108
• Contact: santabarbara@vedanta.org, 805 969 2903
• Website: Vedanta.org/santa-barbara-temple/

NorCal Bengali Association Durga Puja, SF Bay Area

The Northern California Bengali Association of Dublin is one of the best places to visit for Durga Puja events in the SF Bay Area. More than 100 members of the community will prepare the culinary offering (bhog) for Goddess Durga and her children. Various cultural performances including dhunuchi naach are lined up as part of the puja schedule. Award-winning singers Anupam Roy and Ankita Bhattacharyya from Kolkata, have been invited to grace the NorCal Bengali Association Durga Puja 2023.

• Dates: October 14 and 15
• Venue: Chabot College, 25555 Hesperian Blvd, Hayward, CA 94545
• Contact: +1 408-940-6846
• Website: Norcalba.org

The post Visit These Best Places in California to Celebrate Durga Puja 2023 and Other Indian Festivals 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 2023. 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 2023 celebrations in New York and New Jersey.  “Elo re Dugga elo re…” 

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Sanskriti Durga Puja 2023: 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. Their Durga Puja celebration was graced by such renowned performing artists as Purna Das Boul and Bhupen Hazarika in the years gone by.

• Dates: October 20, 21, 22
• Venue: Hindu Cultural Society, 1595 N French Road, Getzville, NY 14068
• Contact: president@buffalosanskriti.org, +1 716-331-7657
• Website: Buffalosanskriti.org

East Coast Durga Puja Association, New York 

The East Coast Durga Puja Association (ECDPA), the oldest Bengali community in North America, is recognized for their celebration as the best of all New York Durga puja events. Mayor Eric Adams presented them with a citation in 2019 recognizing their contribution towards creating a platform for themselves and other ethnic communities in the borough of Brooklyn. Like previous years, the ECDPA Durga Puja 2023 has a lineup of cultural programs, including a kids talent show.  

• Dates: October 14 and 15
• Venue: Gujarat Samaj Hall, 17315 Horace Harding Expy, Queens, NY 11365
• Contact: (516) 308-2246 or ECDPANY@gmail.com 
• Website: ECDPAnewyork.com

New York Kali Mandir Durga Puja, Baldwin

One of the most traditional Durga Puja events in New York is organized by New York Kali Mandir in Baldwin. 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. Located close to NY JFK International Airport, the temple has a well-stocked library for all age groups. Those interested in volunteering can serve the temple this Durga Puja.    

• Dates: October 21 to 23
• 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 22
• 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, is planning a large-scale Durga puja event this year to mark its second anniversary. Founded in 2022, the non-profit organization celebrates every event significant to Bengali culture in a grand way, bringing together the Bengali community in the New York, New Jersey and Connecticut areas. Their Durga puja celebration stands for cultural integrity and camaraderie. Their event schedule includes a Bollywood evening on OCT 20 with singer Vaishali Mhade of ‘pinga’ song fame in Bajirao Mastani. The ECCA Durga Puja organizers are yet to announce other cultural programs. 

• Dates: October 20, 21, 22
• Venue: Gujarati Samaj Hall, 17315 Horace Harding Expy, Queens, NY 11365
• Contact: eastcoastcultural@gmail.com
• Website: Eccany.com

Utsov Inc. Durga Puja 2023, Edison NJ

Utsov Inc. is known for one of the biggest Durga Puja celebrations in Edison, New Jersey. Utsov Inc. Durga Puja 2023 in East Brunswick has a number of ‘wow’ factors – delectable Bengali food, Sindhoor Kela, cultural programs, shopping stalls, art competition for kids and Dhunuchi dance competition for adults. Online or offline registration is mandatory to enter the venue. Raj Burman, a talented Hindi and Bengali artist (who won the “Best Bengali Playback Singer” in the Tele Cine Awards) will be entertaining the audience on a musical evening at the Utsov Inc Durga Puja in Edison.  

• Dates: October 21 and 22
• Contact: 732 648 7461 or 313 338 8678, 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: 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 2023 will celebrate its 42nd anniversary over foot-tapping numbers of rock bands, Lakkhichhara and the Anupam Roy Band. Nostalgic renditions of  Rabindra Sangeet by Sahana Bajpaie, a contemporary vocalist, will lend the vibes of Kolkata to the venue during the festivity.

Bongobhoj – a traditional Bengali food fare – is the mainstay of their celebration. Garden State Puja Committee, Jersey City is a non-profit community organization bridging the gap between their life in the US and their roots in Bengal, and providing gharoa paribesh for all festive celebrations. The funds it raises through the concert will be used for charitable and educational causes.

• Dates: October 21 and 22
• 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 2023  

Among the Durga Puja events in New Jersey, Kallol Durga Puja is an engaging celebration every year. Among the oldest Bengali organizations in the US, Kallol has grown from 24 members to a few hundreds now. Multicultural programs including musical performances by eminent artists from India are integral to their Sharodiya celebration. Prithibi rock band is all set to enthrall the audience with their electrifying performance on Friday, while Lopamudra Mitra, Joy Sarkar and Nirmalya Roy will take over the stage on Saturday.

Kallol Durga Puja 2023 will culminate with foot-tapping and soulful numbers by popular artists Shaan and Sandeep Bhattacharjee India. The four-day festivity is an absolute cultural and musical extravaganza at Kallol in Somerset, NJ.

• Dates: October 20 to 23
• 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

Alor Benu Durga Puja in Edison, NJ 

The ‘Ekchala’ style Durga idol is the main attraction of this simple, humble celebration by a few Bengali families in Edison. This is more a gharoa (family) puja than a community puja. The festive evenings from 20 to 22 October will see various cultural indulgences by the organizers and their families. The puja schedule is chock-a-block with traditional rituals from the morning till family dinner in the evening.

• Dates: October 20 to 22
• Venue: 2 Farmhaven Avenue, Edison, NJ 08820
• Contact: aamantran@aalorbenu.net

New Jersey Ananda Mandir Durga Puja 2023

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 for a slot. On successful booking of a slot, you would receive a confirmation email, which you can show to the volunteers at the temple complex.

• Dates: October 21 to 23
• 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 Durga puja events 2023 in New Jersey, Garden State Cultural Association (GSCA) is in the 32nd 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 event. You can register on their website given below. Popular Indian singers Papon and Aditi Munshi are among the eminent guests this year. Kumari Puja is a not-to-be-missed event at GSCA Durga Puja in New Jersey.      

• Dates: October 28 and 29
• 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 2023: South Jersey

Of Durga puja events in New Jersey, Bengali Cultural Society’s celebration is a lot more than food, fun and frolic. Rather, it mirrors the rich cultural and literary 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.

• Dates: October 27 to 28
• 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. Devotees are required to pre-register for the Durga puja event at Bharat Sevashram Sangha in New Jersey.

• Dates: October 20 to 24
• Location: 3490 Route-27 Kendral Park, New Jersey 08824
• Contact: 732 422 8880/ 347 735 2984 | devotees@sevashramsangha.org
• Website: sevashramsangha.org

Dakshineswar Ramakrishna Sangha Adyapeath Durga Puja 

Adyapeath in Edison, an extension of the Dakshineswar Ramakrishna Sangha Adyapeath in Kolkata, is a must visit for its atmosphere full of divine bliss during Durga puja festivities. Adya Maa (Primordial Kali) is the presiding deity of the temple where ‘Ekchala’ styled Durga idol is worshiped in the sabeki way. Established in 1995 in New Jersey, Adyapeath is dedicated to the service to the divine and humanity.       

• Dates: October 20 to 25
• Location: Kiddie Keep Well Camp, 35 Roosevelt Dr., Edison, NJ 08837
• Contact: 732-249-7077
• Website: AdyapeathUSA.org

Trinayani Durga Puja in Plainsboro, New Jersey

This is one of the most-anticipated Durga Puja celebrations in New Jersey. A not-for-profit organization established in 2022 with the aim to promote India’s rich art and culture, Trinayani’s inaugural Durga Puja was the first such event to worship an in-house protima (idol) created by the community members. It was also named third on the list of the best 25 Durga Pujas in Tristate in 2022. This year, Trinayani Durga Puja will give you a memorable year through cultural programs and Bengali feasts. The musical acts to be performed by famous urban folk music group, Bhoomi (on 28th), and Sounak Chattopadhyay, new-gen singing sensation, (on 29th) will immerse you in classic and folk tunes of Bengal. Registrations are already open on their website.

• Dates: October 28 and 29
• Venue: Community Middle School, Plainsboro Township, NJ, USA
• Contact: trinayaninj2022@gmail.com  
• Website: www.vibrnz.com/org/trinayani

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

India is all set to celebrate the 77th Independence Day this August 15, and so are Indians in America. The way Indians abroad celebrate the Indian Independence Day is not different from the celebration at home. A lot of evidence about them being Indian to the core and nurturing their roots can be witnessed during Indian Independence Day events 2023 in USA. Like previous years, the month of August is full of Independence Day events for America’s Indian Diaspora.

This exclusive list of major Indian Independence Day 2023 events in USA is brought to you by Travel Beats, a leading overseas Indian community portal by Indian Eagle. These events not only celebrate the Independence of Mother India, but also Indian Americans’ roots, culture, and pride of being Indian to the core.

New York India Day Parade 2023

The New York Indian Day Parade is a special mention among the India Independence Day events 2023 in America. Scheduled to be held at Madison Avenue on August 20, the NYC India Day Parade is as important as the Diwali holiday in New York City. Billed as the world’s largest Indian event held outside India, the parade saw the attendance of over 200,000 people last year. New York Indian Day Parade 2022 also set Guiness Records for featuring the highest number of varied flags and also the largest damaru ensemble as part of the ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ celebration. 

The 41st India Day Parade 2023 will be led by spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar from Bengaluru. Initiated in 1981 and organized by the Federation of India Association, the patriotic event was previously attended by some of India’s greatest legends from different walks of life, such as Raj Kapoor, A R Rahman, Anna Hazare, Ramdev Baba and Virendra Sehwag. FIA’s Empire State Building Lighting on August 15 is a must-watch. 

Atlanta Festival of India 2023

Since the 50th Independence Day of India, Atlanta Indians have been organizing the Festival of India as one of the biggest Indian Independence day celebrations in USA. One of the best Atlanta Indian events 2023, the Festival of India is a cultural celebration of Indian history and heritage. Organized by the India American Cultural Association, the 27th Atlanta Festival of India 2023 is scheduled to be held on August 13 at the Gas South Arena, located around 28 miles from Atlanta. With music, shopping, feasting, cultural performances, yoga, health fair, seminars and senior citizen meetup on the card, Atlanta’s 27th Festival of India is all set for a spectacular celebration of Indian Independence Day.

Boston India Day Festival 2023

Organized by the Indian Association of Greater Boston, India Day Festival 2023 is one of the major Indian events in New England. Boston India Day Festival will be held on August 19 at Hatch Shell Memorial. ‘India the Trailblazer’ is the theme of the program this year, and hence, the Indian Association of Greater Boston will honor some trailblazers from the local Indian community. The IAGB’s India Day 2023 has an interesting lineup of cultural performances, including the ‘Raaga Unleashed’ concert. Also, a grand food meal will be organized for participants to relish Indian food.   

Chicago India Day Parade & Celebration 2023

Indian Independence Day 2023 events in Illinois, USA include the most spectacular India Day Parade in Chicago. Organized by the Indian Community Outreach Organization, Chicago India Day Parade 2023 features a host of entertaining programs including fashion show and talent competition in the schedule. A one-mile parade with decorated floats, traditional Indian food, classical dance performance, modern music bands and fireworks are some of the attractions of the 9th Indian Independence Day celebration in Chicago.

A live performance by Daler Mehndi, a famous Indian singer known for his bhangra hits, will entertain attendees at the Chicago India Day Parade on August 13.

Fremont FOG India Day Parade, California

Celebrating whatever is Indian in and around Fremont is the objective of FOG India Day Parade & Fair 2023. One of the best Indian Independence Day events in California, Fremont’s Festival of India & Parade 2023 will take place on August 19 and 20 at Paseo Padre Pkwy. The celebration is a standout for its amazing India Day mela with more than 100 stalls and exhibits related to be put up by local Indian businesses dealing in different products and services, arts and crafts, literature and fashion. Dance competitions, health fair, and food fest are also a part of the two-day event.

• FOG India Day Mela: August 19 and 20 (10 am to 6 pm)
• FOG Dance Competition: August 19 910 am to 6 pm)
• FOG India Day Parade: August 20 (11 am to 1 pm)

Los Angeles India Independence Day 2023

The 24th Indian Independence Day 2023 in Los Angeles will be celebrated on August 26 in Birmingham Chatsworth High School. Indians of Southern California celebrate the Independence Day of India and other desi festivals with equal enthusiasm. Popularly known as Indian Independence Day Heritage Celebration, the event features a great selection of entertainment programs. The event venue will be dotted with food courts selling Indian dishes and shopping booths selling Indian ethnic dresses. Since 1999, Los Angeles’ India Independence Day celebration has been winning desi hearts.

Southern California Indians are eagerly looking forward to Air India’s nonstop service between Los Angeles and India, which is currently being planned as per reports.

Jai Ho! Indian Independence Day, Austin

Jai Ho! India Independence Day Celebration is what Indians in and around Austin are gearing up to with lots of enthusiasm. To be held on August 12 at Centennial Plaza in Round Rock, the event will feature a lively parade and lineup of spectacular cultural performances. At the celebration, you can groove to Bollywood music and DJ tunes and indulge in Indian food and shopping experiences.

India Day 2023 at Novi Michigan

Indians of Michigan get together to celebrate the Indian Independence Day as India Day in Novi, only 25 miles away from Detroit. Organized by India League of America (ILA), the India Day Michigan 2023 is more or less the same as other Indian Independence Day events in USA. Indian food, music, dance, and shopping are the major draws of the event which is to be held at Suburban Collection Showplace, Grand River Avenue, Novi. Michigan’s Indian Independence Day event is scheduled from 10 am until 8 pm on August 19. 

There is no dearth of celebration for Michigan Indians. Turkish Airlines’ one-stop Detroit to India service will take off in November 2023.

Namaste India at Cincinnati, Ohio

Namaste India, one of the best Indian Independence Day 2023 celebrations in USA, will be organized by the India Cultural Association of Cincinnati, Ohio. Scheduled on 20 August at the historic Fountain Square, the 4-hour event is packed with dance and music performances depicting the cultural heritage of India. The community parade, a highlight of the evening, will be accompanied by live music. And since no celebration is quite complete without food, there will be many booths to serve delicious Indian food.

Portland India Festival 2023, Oregon

The India Festival of Portland is one of the most popular Indian Independence Day celebrations not only in Oregon but in USA. Organized by the India Cultural Association (ICA), it is a meeting point for Portland Indians to get together and celebrate their roots. Unlike other Indian events in Oregon, Portland’s Pride India Festival 2023 is out and out a cultural gala with an array of activities including live music, dance performance, rangoli making, kids’ craft workshop, gastronomic euphoria, etc. Get ready to be part of the festivity on August 6 at Pioneer Courthouse Square.

Florida India Independence Day 2023

India Independence Day 2023 in Altamonte Springs is one of the best Indian events in Florida this year. Organized by Indian Horizon of Florida and Central Florida Indian Cultural Association, the event is held in remembrance of the Indian freedom fighters and their supreme sacrifice. Florida’s India Independence Day celebration will take place at Cranes Roost Park on 12 August. In a proud celebration of Indian art and culture, the event will host a plethora of cultural programs, art and craft booths, and food stalls as well.

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 2023 Events in USA This Month 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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