New York Phagwah Celebrations 2010 Including Phagwah Parade Information.

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Download Flyer for Saturday March 6th 2010 Phagwah Celebration
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phagwah 2010

The Festival Committee of HSFC presents its 3rd annual Holi Sammelan Festival on Saturday, March 6, 2010 from 2:00pm to 9:00pm at the Maha Lakshmi Mandir premises, 121-15 101 Avenue, Richmond Hill, New York 11419. The two sidewalks on 101 Avenue between 121st and 123rd streets will be partially closed to facilitate this program. The program consists of Holi songs, Holi dances, drama, magic, chowtals, speeches, ceremonials, chanting, and other forms of entertainment, like tassa playing. The program continues non-stop for about 6 hours and the audience flow will continue until the event ends at 9:00pm. TV monitors will be placed outside on the sidewalks so that people on the sidewalk could watch the stage performances. Tents with heaters will be assembled to provide shelter and house the make-shift kitchen. We will provide food and beverages to everyone.

The Holi Sammelan Festival is a major cultural event in New York City. For the Indo-Caribbean community, it has now become one of the biggest cultural activities of the year, where some 3,000 people participate and thousands more follow this program live on WICR radio 1620AM. Over 50 Non-Government Organizations (NGOs), including Mandirs are participating to celebrate one of Hinduism’s most significant religious/cultural festivals, called Phagwah or Holi, that dates back to over 5,000 years. Phagwah marks the beginning of the Indian spring and ushers in a time of the sharing of goodwill and our bounty.

Phagwah is also about the famous story of a young boy named Prahalad who was very devoted to Lord Vishnu. His father, Hiranyahashapu, abused the great power that was bestowed upon him and systematically carried out evil acts that hurt his people. Prahalad condemned such excesses by his father, who swiftly moved to kill him. Various modus operandi (methods) were tried, but those failed because of Prahalad’s intense devotion to, and therefore protection of, Lord Vishnu. Hiranyahashapu enlisted the help of his sister, Holika, who believed that she couldn’t be burnt by fire because of a special “boon.” The fire consumed Holika while Prahalad who sat in her lap continued to pray. Prahalad was saved, and Lord Vishnu came as the Narsimha Avatar (fourth avatar) famously known as Narsingh, and tore Hiranyakashapu apart. His tyranny ended and his subjects rejoiced.

Prahalad was an embodiment of devotion and “tapasiya” (sacrifice) and did not allow materialism to derail his spiritual journey.

The Holi Sammelan Festival is organized to inspire people to come together to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Indo-Caribbeans and Indo-Asians. Its lessons to the wider community are salient. The massive portrayal of goodwill on this occasion should generate positive feelings towards one another and help to heal deep-seated divisions within our community and beyond. It’s not only a celebration of a major Hindu Cultural Festival, but it’s also a celebration of the good and the virtuous. Holi Sammelan also sends a powerful message that we are proud of our cultural heritage and that our presence in the USA must not be taken for granted.

We commend our Project Director Srad Kublall, Program Coordinator & Indra Seet together with their respective teams, for doing a fine job. Please bring along your entire family and invite your friends to join us on this joyous occasion. Happy Holi!

Participating NGOs, Including Mandirs:America Sevashram Sangha ,Adi Shakti Kali Mandir, Bhuvaneshwar Mandir, Stars International Band, Natya Tilakam Dance Academy, Geet Aur Sangeet, Bhavanee Maa Mandir, Shri Maha Kali Temple, NY Sanatan Mandir, Prem Bhakti Mandir, Neel Kanth Dham New York Hindu Milan Mandir, Shri Latchmi Narayan Mandir, Jahajee Sisters Group, Natraj Center for the Performing Arts, Shahara Dance Group, Six Stars Auto Sales, Shri Devi Mandir, Zara Realty Corp Stars Party Rental, Law Office of Kawall Totaram, Dave WI Stores, Stars International Youth, Vijay Arts Production (VAP), Ganesh Temple, Maha Lakshmi Mandir, Nirvana Humanitarian Organization, Bhavani Shankara Mandir, Angels Caribbean Band, Maharshi Dayanand Gurukula, All Star Alliance Tassa Group, Dheeraj Dance Group, Vighneshwar Mandir, Cypress Hill Jyoti Mandir, Kali Travel & Tours, Mahatma Gandhi Satsangh Society. Bronx Hindu Temple, New York Jamaica Mission , New Jersey Arya Samaj Humanitarian Mission, Mahaicony Cultural & Humanitarian Association Inc (MCHA), Media Sutra Inc, Rajkumarie Cultural Center.

3rd Annual Holi Sammelan SATURDAY MARCH 6, 2010 There will be Holi messages, Chowtal Singing,Drama, Dancing, Holi Songs & Other Activities. Over 50 Non-Government Organizations (NGO