Category: Community

HOUSTON: The Shri Sita Ram Foundation, USA invites the Houston community to celebrate the 14th International Diwali-Dussehra Festival on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at Constellation Field in Sugar Land, Texas. This year’s celebration promises a vibrant blend of cultural entertainment, food, parades, performances, and spectacular fireworks. 

Diwali, the “Festival of Lights,” is one of the most cherished festivals of India, symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance. It is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists — more than a billion people worldwide. 

“Diwali is more than a festival for us,” said Dr. Arun Varma, founder of the Shri Sita Ram Foundation. “It represents good triumphing over evil and the idea that the world is one family. We encourage everyone to celebrate together, regardless of background or belief.” 

Highlights of the 14th International Diwali-Dussehra Festival 2025 

• International Guest Performance: This year’s festival will feature a special appearance by MC YOGI, the internationally acclaimed hip-hop artist and yoga teacher known for blending modern beats with stories of Indian culture, yoga philosophy, and ancient wisdom. His dynamic performances have captivated audiences worldwide, making his Houston debut a unique cultural experience. 

• Grand Parade: More than 40 floats showcasing dance, music, and artistry. This year’s theme is the Maha Kumbh, celebrated earlier this year, featuring a stage play, a Shiva Tandav dance, and a float on the role of the akhadas. 

• Family Fun: Children can enjoy a dedicated play area, games, and a costume contest (ages up to 14), along with youth performances in singing, dancing, and music. 

• Cultural & Religious Traditions: Chanting of the Sundarkand, a traditional Ram Leela play, and the Maha Aarti (prayers to Lord Ram). 

• Vibrant Marketplace & Food: Local vendors will offer handicrafts, art, and authentic, mouth-watering Indian cuisine. 

• Grand Finale: The festival concludes with fireworks and Ravan Dahan — the only large-scale burning of Ravan’s effigy in Texas. 

The Shri Sita Ram Foundation welcomes Houstonians of all backgrounds to experience this unique celebration of light, culture, and community. 

HOUSTON: On September 13, 2025, the city of Houston came alive with color, rhythm, and festive energy as T2 Dance Company hosted the first-ever HTx Diwali celebration at POST Houston in the heart of downtown. Drawing over 5,500 attendees, the free event showcased the spirit of Diwali – India’s festival of lights – through dance, music, wellness, food, and, above all, community.

Founded in 2020 by Anisha Gupta and Sonali Patel, T2 Dance Company was created to spread the joy of movement, wellness, and culture through the vibrant energy of Bollywood dance. Teaching students ages 3 to 70+, T2 makes dance accessible to all, focusing on expression, empowerment, and joy. Alongside associate directors Ritu Patel and Dhea Patel, the co-founders have built T2 into a group where women connect, uplift one another, and help those in need by giving back through monthly charitable donations.

The HTx Diwali celebration reflected this vision. The day was filled with classes that welcomed all ages and backgrounds. Black Swan Yoga opened with a calming mindfulness session, Houston Bhangra Academy energized the crowd with Punjabi moves, and T2 Dance Company led Bollywood and Garba classes, bringing India’s most beloved dance styles to Houstonians.

POST’s X Atrium transformed into an authentic Indian market, buzzing with over 25 vendors offering handmade crafts, jewelry, outfits and Diwali decor. Guests explored a Creative Crafting station with Omnaments, a Medical Mela, a vibrant Kids’ Korner, henna artists, and a Desi Dhaba serving up mouthwatering cuisine from Mirch Masala and Tandoori Hut. The aromas of festive food added warmth and flavor to the already lively atmosphere.

In the afternoon, the Diwali Baraat – hosted by T2 Dance Company – featured a festive rickshaw, live dhol player, and an energetic flash mob that had the crowd on its feet, dancing and cheering together. Soon after, the excitement shifted to a dazzling fashion show presented by Dakshin Fashion, taking the audience on a colorful “tour of India” through traditional and contemporary styles.

As evening set in, the celebration moved to POST’s rooftop, where Houston skyline provided the backdrop for a spectacular Diwali show. High-energy performances by T2 Dance Company, Naach Houston, ParDesi Pulse, Houston Bhangra Academy, and Doonya lit up the night, in addition to a song where Aarav Chauhan’s soulful vocals were paired with the mesmerizing flute melodies of Rayansh Pande. Together, the performers showcased Houston’s immense South Asian talent, unified by the joy of sharing culture and positivity.

The night concluded with a Bollywood rooftop dance party led by DJ Sandeep Sulhan. Under the stars, families and friends of all ages came together, dancing against the sparkling skyline and creating unforgettable memories.

HTx Diwali 2025 highlighted Houston’s cultural richness and the growing demand for inclusive celebrations. More than a festival, it was a platform where culture, connection, creativity, and community came together – embodying Diwali’s timeless message of light triumphing over darkness. With T2 Dance Company’s dedication to joy and giving back, HTx Diwali has established itself as one of Houston’s most anticipated cultural events where everyone can come together to Shine Their Light over Houston.

By Ujwala Bhat

Photos by Bharat Rao and Ashutosh Kak

On September 7, 2025, Chinmaya Mission Houston commenced a new year of Vedantic learning for the Bala Vihar children, and enthusiastic families gathered at Chinmaya Prabha to honor the enduring legacy of a spiritual movement founded 75 years ago by Pujya Swami Chinmayananda.

The Chinmaya Movement began in 1951 when Pujya Swami Chinmayananda gave lectures on the Upanishads at a Ganesha temple in Pune, India, to a small gathering. Over the decades, it has evolved into a global spiritual movement encompassing more than 350 centers worldwide.

On the auspicious opening day of Bala Vihar at Chinmaya Mission Houston (CMH), a beautifully decorated Saraswati Nilayam Hall came alive to welcome a new year of spiritual learning. Children, seated together with their teachers by grade, filled the hall with eager smiles and exuberant energy as they reunited with friends and immersed themselves in the sacred atmosphere. Pujya Acarya Gaurang Uncle then addressed the children and encouraged them to learn and live the values taught in Bala Vihar. His words set the positive and motivational tone for the year ahead.

Guided by their Bala Vihar teachers, the children then performed the Chinmaya Namavali puja with sincere devotion. In the adjoining Smriti Hall, adults watched the children perform the puja with quiet reverence as it was broadcast on the big screen. At the heart of the celebration was the theme Chinmaya Amrit Mahotsav with the highlight—a recitation of the Ashtotthara Shatanamavali, invoking Pujya Gurudev’s 108 divine names—evoked a deep sense of connection, drawing the audience into the chanting. This was followed by Chinmaya Mission pledge and the Vedic Aarti concluding the puja.

Following that important opening day celebration of Bala Vihar, there was another special ceremony in Chinmaya Prabha on September 14, 2025. In honor of Acarya Darshana Nanavaty who nurtured the outstanding Bala Vihar program in Houston since 1982 and created the teachers’ handbooks for the global Bala Vihar curriculum, Acarya Gaurang Nanavaty unveiled the new name, “Acharya Darshana Nanavaty Chinmaya Amruta Balamandir” for the building where Acarya Darshana Aunty had dedicated her entire life to the children of CMH. The large Chinmaya family felt blessed and grateful during the ceremony. It was a fitting tribute to the creative vision and tireless seva of Pujya Darshana aunty who empowered thousands of Bala Vihar children with scriptural values until her last breath in 2024.

Following the guidance of Pujya Darshana Aunty, CMH remains dedicated to ensuring that future generations have direct access to the timeless teachings of its founder, Pujya Swami Chinmayananda. What makes CMH a sought-after destination for spiritual education among Indo-American families is its unwavering commitment to quality education in spirituality and exemplary discipline. Both Bala Vihar sessions are at full capacity, with a growing waitlist of parents eager to enrol their children.

In addition to Bala Vihar, Chinmaya Mission Houston offers immersive Vedantic learning through study groups, Jnana Yajnas, and spiritual camps. Adults and householders engage in Satsangs and discussion circles that provide deep insights into Vedantic texts, fostering both personal growth and vibrant community gatherings.

For more information about Chinmaya Mission Houston, Sri Saumyakasi Sivalaya, and its activities please visit www.chinmayahouston.org, www.saumyakasi.org or call temple 281 568 1690 or Jay Deshmukh 832 541 0059 or Bharati Sutaria 281-933-0233

By Juhi Varma

Good news can feel scarce these days. Assassinations, terrorist attacks and tariffs dominate the news, making violence and division seem like the defining themes of our time. Stories of kindness rarely carry the same weight.

But a recent visit to the Zoroastrian Center in Houston was a reminder that, while compassion rarely makes headlines, it is still very much alive in the world.

More than 100 representatives from local faith and sub-faith communities came together for the annual Interfaith Dinner and Dialogue, sponsored by the Fort Bend Interfaith Council.

The spacious event hall was set with 12 tables, each holding eight or nine chairs. From the start, it was clear this wasn’t going to be an event where guests sat listening passively, half-focused on the (very impressive) snack tables outside. Instead, participation was the point.

Seats were carefully assigned, each table was arranged to include people of different religions, ensuring that Fort Bend County’s colorful diversity of faiths was reflected in every conversation.

“In a time when the world is often shaken by religious conflict, this gathering served as a powerful reminder of the importance of dialogue,” said Geetha Ravula, founder of non-profit organization Ashirwad A Blessing Temple. She has served on the board of the Fort Bend Interfaith Council for six years.

To help spur meaningful dialogue, the organizers provided the attendees with prompts.

It felt a bit like a workshop or a breakout session. We went around the table, answering questions, listening to each other, and noticing the common ground we shared. On paper, it might sound contrived, but in the room, the experience was genuine and unexpectedly moving.

“When we meet and have a dialogue with openness and sincerity, our differences become pathways to connection rather than division,” Geetha ji said.

Pastor David Sincere served as the master of ceremonies

“It was fascinating to learn about the things we have in common,” one attendee shared. “But it was also interesting to hear about the practices and beliefs that are unique to certain traditions.”

On each table lay a sheet of paper with a list of questions: What is your favorite festival? What does service look like in your religion? Share something you admire about another faith. The exercise was simple but powerful — it encouraged participants not only to learn about each other’s traditions but also to recognize how much they shared. By the end, I felt as though a heavy curtain had lifted, revealing a world without borders, prejudice, or religious hostility. For the purpose of this story, I’ll focus on just the first question we answered. One question is enough to illustrate the larger point.

What is your favorite festival from your faith?

Nazi Khadivian (Bahai Community Of Sugar Land & Fort Bend):  My favorite one is Nowruz  on 21 March. It means ‘new day’. It is a time of change. We celebrate the beginning of the spring. Everything grows new. We have great parties—huge halls, thousands of people. We share our calendar (partially) with Zoroastrians, because this is a Zoroastrian festival we adopted. So, Iranians were Zoroastrian before the attack from Arabs.

Lisa Lauve (St. Laurence Catholic Church): Always, as a child, being Catholic, Easter was important. But as I’ve gotten older, I’ve really come to appreciate the death and resurrection more deeply. It’s not just a church service anymore. We all go through times when we don’t know what’s happening, when everything feels uncertain. And then, somehow, there’s resurrection. I think age shifts your focus—you begin to see that cycle more clearly.

Juhi Varma (your reporter): We celebrate a lot of festivals—Diwali and Holi are big ones—but my favorite is Ganesh Chaturthi, especially in my state, Maharashtra. For ten days, families bring an idol of Ganesh into their homes, decorate an altar, and everyone comes to visit. On the last day, we take the idol—usually eco-friendly now—to the sea and immerse it. It’s a way of saying goodbye until next year.

Yasmin Engineer (Zoroastrian Association of Houston): There is a Parsi tradition called the Haft-Sin (or “Haft Seen”) table, associated with Nowruz where seven items starting with the “S” sound/letter are placed on a table, all symbolizing different things. Sabzi which means greens symbolize rebirth and renewal. Samanu,  a pudding for wealth and fertility. Sib, that is apple for beauty and good health. Seer, garlic for health. And more.

John Barzilla (St. Mark’s Episcopal Church): Mine would have to be Christmas. All the Sicilian families come together, and the women make fig cookies and all sorts of dishes. It turns into this big gathering where you end up seeing relatives you didn’t even know you had—because if you’re Sicilian, you’re related to just about everyone.

Davis Tolman (Thoreau Unitarian Universalist Congregation) We have a tradition called the water ceremony. It’s usually in late August when people come back after summer. We all bring water from a meaningful personal source to church, it’s poured into a little hole, mixed together.  It’s kind of like a symbolic homecoming.

Jessica Leavitt (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints): For me, it’s General Conference. All the members around the world participate at the same time. If you’re in Salt Lake, you can go in person, but most people watch the broadcast. It happens twice a year. Our Prophet and some of the apostles speak to us. Since we believe in living prophets, it’s really meaningful—we get to hear their words directly.

Festivals and traditions take many forms, but they all share common threads: a sense of community, reflection, renewal, and connection.

“Each faith carries profound wisdom that elevates our spirit, and together, we weave a vibrant tapestry that reflects the one Divine Source from which we all originate,” Geetha ji said. Geetha Ravula has been a representative of Hindus of Greater Houston for many years.

What is the Fort Bend Interfaith Council?

The Fort Bend Interfaith Council was created to foster meaningful connections among faith communities. Each year, it sponsors three signature events: an Interfaith Thanksgiving Service in November, a Martin Luther King Youth Day of Service in January, and the Interfaith Dinner and Dialogue.

Faiths represented included Baha’i, Muslim, Buddhist, Methodist, Hindu, Baptist, Ismaili Muslim, Jain, Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Sikh, Catholic, Unitarian Universalist, and Zoroastrian.

HOUSTON: Kirtan Fest Houston 2025 marked the powerful return of one of the community’s most beloved celebrations. Organized by the youth of ISKCON Houston, the festival brought together thousands of people for a weekend filled with sacred music, flowers, devotion, and community spirit. Over three days, more than 2,500 people attended the event, experiencing the joy of kirtan and the warmth of a community united in service.

The centerpiece of this year’s festival was the Flower Festival on Sunday night, held in honor of Radhastami, the appearance day of Srimati Radharani. More than 2,300 people gathered on this night alone, making it the largest Flower Festival in North America. Over 30,000 flowers were offered in a joyful abhishek, showering the deities and the crowd in color and fragrance. The atmosphere was electric as the temple became a living garden of devotion, celebrating the beauty and mercy of Radharani’s birthday.

Across the weekend, participants were immersed in 31 hours of kirtan led by renowned musicians from around the world. The sacred chanting created a spiritual sanctuary where people of all backgrounds connected through sound. This global gathering of musicians gave the festival an international spirit while remaining deeply rooted in Houston’s local temple community.

Service was another hallmark of the festival. More than 4,200 meals were served, ensuring that everyone who came was nourished and cared for. From volunteers preparing prasadam (food) to youth coordinating logistics, the entire event reflected the community’s values of hospitality and service.

Support for the festival was also evident in the overwhelming enthusiasm for merchandise, which sold out completely, with 80 percent gone on the very first day. Beyond those present, Kirtan Fest Houston reached far wider, with more than 90,000 impressions across social media, allowing thousands more to join virtually in the celebration of Radhastami.

What makes this year especially significant is that the festival was revived after a long hiatus by the youth of ISKCON Houston. For the organizers, it was an offering of gratitude to the temple and culture that shaped their childhoods. By stepping forward, the youth showed that tradition is alive, growing, and being carried into the future with devotion and energy.

Kirtan Fest 2025 was more than a festival, it was a testament to what is possible when love, music, and community come together. It is a way to bring people together, to celebrate through sacred music and flowers, and to show how youth can play an active role in sustaining traditions while making them accessible for future generations. With thousands attending in person, tens of thousands of impressions online, and every detail infused with service, the festival has set a new standard for what a youth-led celebration can be.

For continued updates on this year’s festival and future events, please follow @kirtanfesthou and visit kirtanfesthou.com