2024 ECC Diwali Mela Welcomes You
The Indian diaspora rings in the holiday season early every year with its own traditional celebrations. The festival of lights, Diwali or Deepavali, meaning a row of lamps in Sanskrit language, has its origins in Ancient India dating back to over 2,500 years ago according to some sources. Today it is an important festival for the majority across India and South Asia for Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and some Buddhists, with varying traditions, mythological, and historical significance. In its contagious festive spirit that transcends religious boundaries, it has come to symbolize the celebration of the victory of light over darkness, right over wrong, good over evil – universal themes that resonate across cultures around the world.
Ekta Community Center (ECC), a new nonprofit organization in town, with a mission to bring together the Indian American and South Asian communities in the area, is bringing in a taste of the Diwali spirit to Ridgefield on Saturday, October 19, 2024, at the Ridgefield Recreation Center Gymnasium from 11am – 5pm. Ekta means unity in several Indian languages. For the second year, ECC is hosting a Mela, or a marketplace, showcasing food vendors, Indian clothing, accessories, and craft vendors, a henna stall, and a slew of cultural programming that celebrates the rich cultural heritage of India and attempts to recreate the unifying spirit of Diwali.
The event is open to the public and promises something for all age groups. Dhabewala Indian Shack, from Stamford, CT, will be serving an array of Indian street foods, chaat, along with other meal options. There will be instructor-led Bollywood and garba (traditional western Indian group dance) sessions for attendees. Talented community members from elementary school age to seniors will be presenting a host of Classical and Bollywood dance performances and group songs, culminating in a grand finale by UConn’s competitive dance team Husky Bhangra. A Fashion Show will present various Indian celebrations complete with costumes, music, and props. A novel sari folding contest lets you try your hand at folding the sari in the shortest amount of time. “It is a fun and engaging cultural experience”, says Sangeetha Basker, on behalf of the organizing committee. “We warmly welcome everyone to attend our event and participate in our festivities”, she added.
In its first year of existence, ECC has introduced BollyX dance fitness classes in Ridgefield, hosts a book club, activities for seniors, and organizes volunteering opportunities for youth. The Diwali Mela is the biggest event of the year and hopes to attract hundreds of attendees from Ridgefield and surrounding towns.
More details about the 2024 Diwali Mela are on ECC’s website ektacc.org. Early bird admission to the Diwali Mela, $10, ends on October 12, 2024.