Sammamish Vedic Center celebrates Kumbha Mela
September 2, 2010
By Christopher Huber
New: Sept. 2, 1:11 p.m.
The music, dancing and eating lingered late into the night Sept. 1 as thousands of families from around the Seattle area flocked to the Vedic Cultural Center along 228th Avenue Southeast. The line just to enter the temple stretched through the parking lot and down the sidewalk to the water district’s water tower.
Women hand out cakes at the altar in the Hare Krishna temple Sept. 1. Photo by Christopher Huber
This night was the main event of the five-day Kumbha Mela festival, one of the largest and most significant Indian cultural festivals of the year, said Nanda Suta Das, co-executive director of the center.
By some estimates, 35,000 people visited the Sammamish Hare Krishna temple to celebrate the birth of Krishna during Janmastami Sept. 1 and 2. The finale lasted until 2 a.m. Sept. 2.
“This is the biggest festival we have in this temple,” Suta Das said. “This year is the biggest so far; it feels that way.”
While children performed dances in traditional Indian garb and the older youth entertained visitors with a drum and chant routine, hundreds of families at a time enjoyed free meals at four food stations. The festivities spilled out onto the back patio and parking lot, too.
“It’s truly connecting the communities of varying ages and groups,” Suta Das said.
Throughout the night, various singers chanted and performed as the line of devotees eased toward the main altar. The deities were adorned with fruits, jewelry and fine garments, which were imported from India.
In addition to the new custom-made altar, the event featured a Vrindavan village and various other tents and exhibits.
“We have a lot of new exhibits this year,” said Jay Srinivasan, of Sammamish.
The village served to educate visitors about the life of Krishna, who is said to have spent his childhood days in the forest of Vrindavan, India.
Even though the event was late, on a school and work night, Srinivasan said he was impressed with he turnout and amount of people who volunteered to help. At work that day, he said most of his colleagues had planned to attend.
“That’s amazing to see,” he said. “It’s a pleasure to see people want to keep the culture up. It’s important to find a place to celebrate it.”
Reporter Christopher Huber can be reached at 392-6434, ext. 242, or chuber@isspress.com.
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On behalf of ISKON we are thankful to your work and pictures . this message forwarded to 1000s of devotees . we co-operate community works. thanks christoper hubb and i met you and you explained about camera & how it works,HOPE your cozy relationship continue with ISKON community,and we need your useful advise all the times. thanks raja tadvai