HOUSTON: The annual costume contest hosted by Hindus of Greater Houston took place in the ISKCON cultural hall. “It brought divine joy to our celebration, with children and families beautifully portraying Krishna, Radha, and the other cherished characters of our tradition,” said
Rachana Shah, president of HGH. “Their creativity and devotion added a divine vibrant spiritual
energy to the festivities.”
Sanjay Jajoo served as emcee and encouraged and introduced the children as they walked across the stage in elaborate and imaginative costumes. The primary goal of organizing events like the costume contest is to pass these cultural lessons and stories to the next generation in the U.S., said organizer Shita Rathi.
The contest has been running for approximately 37 years, with Shital ji serving as a coordinator since 2013. Preparations begin about six weeks before Janmashtami, she said. Participation has grown from roughly 30–60 children in previous years to a record-breaking 165 registrations this year. The costume contest even attracted participants from Austin this year.
Shital ji credited her husband Girish Rathi, children Shubh and Krupa Rathi, and nephew Sahaj
Bhutada for their unwavering support and volunteer work. Bharat Pallod, who once participated
in the contest and now watches his own children take part, recalled the early 1990s, when
Janmashtami festivities were held at the George R. Brown Convention Center.
“It was much bigger, obviously, then,” Pallod said. Although Houston’s Hindu and Indian population was smaller at the time, there were also far fewer temples and fewer places to celebrate Janmashtami, he explained. As a result, much of the community gathered for the festival at a single venue.
The theme for the 2026 costume contest was “Natkhat Krishna and Radha” Matangi Gopi Devi Dasi, Sejal Gadhia and Sangita Bhagwan Bhutada served as judges for the children’s costume contest. The winners from the three age groups are as follows:
Group A: 0-3 years
First: Shiven and Veer Pallod
Second: Diynaan Mehta
Third: Shivaay Gupta
Group B: 3-6 years
First: Ayansh Kohli
Second Tejas Srilatith
Third: Siya Nautiyal
Group C: 6-11 years
First: Ziva Dangre
Second: Shanaya and Ishana Awasthi
Third: Kiyaan Kohli
Photos by Bijai Dixit
