Vedic Cultural Center expects 20,000 at four-day festival
August 11, 2009
By Christopher Huber
By Christopher Huber
Approximately 30 volunteers have been working for the past two months to prepare for what Vedic Cultural Center organizers say is the largest Indian cultural festival in Washington.
Kumbhamela 2009 Cultural Festival runs Aug. 13-16 at the Vedic Cultural Center in Sammamish. Organizers say they expect up to 20,000 visitors from around the state to attend during the four days of festivities, which include India’s independence day celebration Aug. 15.
Festival participants will enjoy ongoing performances from singers and dancers and the work of local Indian artists, according to an event press release. The event will also have children’s games and traditional Indian cuisine and will feature the exhibition of a life-size traditional Indian village, said volunteer Veda Narayana.
“It’s not just experiencing the culture,” he said. “They can come and experience the food.”
Last year Kumbhamela was held at Redmond’s Marymoor Park and attracted about 10,000 people over two days, Narayana said. In 2009, he said the event will be larger and have more exhibits and food.
On Aug. 13 and 14, participants will celebrate the birthday of Krishna, the Hindu deity. The celebration runs 6 p.m.-midnight both nights.
Aug. 15 brings the Indian independence day celebration, which begins at 1 p.m. The festival of milk happens Aug. 16, according to the press release. It showcases the richness of Indian milk sweets. In vedic culture, cows are treated with respect and cared for like a family member, the release said.
Learn more about the upcoming Kumbhamela at www.vedicculturalcenter.org.
Reporter Christopher Huber can be reached at 392-6434, ext. 242, or chuber@isspress.com. Comment on this story at www.sammamishreview.com.
Approximately 30 volunteers have been working for the past two months to prepare for what Vedic Cultural Center organizers say is the largest Indian cultural festival in Washington.
Kumbhamela 2009 Cultural Festival runs Aug. 13-16 at the Vedic Cultural Center in Sammamish. Organizers say they expect up to 20,000 visitors from around the state to attend during the four days of festivities, which include India’s independence day celebration Aug. 15.
Festival participants will enjoy ongoing performances from singers and dancers and the work of local Indian artists, according to an event press release. The event will also have children’s games and traditional Indian cuisine and will feature the exhibition of a life-size traditional Indian village, said volunteer Veda Narayana.
“It’s not just experiencing the culture,” he said. “They can come and experience the food.”
Last year Kumbhamela was held at Redmond’s Marymoor Park and attracted about 10,000 people over two days, Narayana said. In 2009, he said the event will be larger and have more exhibits and food.
On Aug. 13 and 14, participants will celebrate the birthday of Krishna, the Hindu deity. The celebration runs 6 p.m.-midnight both nights.
Aug. 15 brings the Indian independence day celebration, which begins at 1 p.m. The festival of milk happens Aug. 16, according to the press release. It showcases the richness of Indian milk sweets. In vedic culture, cows are treated with respect and cared for like a family member, the release said.
Learn more about the upcoming Kumbhamela at www.vedicculturalcenter.org.
Reporter Christopher Huber can be reached at 392-6434, ext. 242, or chuber@isspress.com.
Other Stories of Interest: Vedic Cultural Center
Comments
Got something to say?
Before you comment, please note:
- These comments are moderated.
- Comments should be relevant to the topic at hand and contribute to its discussion.
- Personal attacks and/or excessive profanity will not be tolerated and such comments will not be approved.
- This is not your personal chat room or forum, so please stay on topic.
