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– EDISON, New Jersey
The Edison sky exploded into a riot of colors as fireworks lit the sky Oct. 12, as part of the 16th Annual Dushahra celebrations here. The crowd cheered and applauded as the 40-feet Ravan effigy burst into flames to celebrate the victory of good over evil. The burning of the effigy was preceded by Lanka Dahan, where Ravana’s palace was burnt to the ground.
Lake Papaianni Park was packed with more than 8,000 people from all across the tristate area to enjoy the festivities, including the Ram Leela presented by 75 artists of Navrang Dance Academy. The artists brought to life the ancient Indian epic of “Ramayana” as the crowd watched with rapt attention. Beautiful costumes and props were imported from India just for this day. The crowds cheered as artists enacted important events in Lord Ram’s life, culminating in the burning of Ravana’s Lanka and the ultimate triumph of good over evil.
The festival was inaugurated by Dr. Pankaj Naram’s assistant Dr. Marian, along with Indo-American Festival Chairperson Chanchal Gupta and President Raj Mittal.
Other dignitaries who attended the event were New Jersey Assemblyman Upendra J. Chivukula; Dr. Sudhir M. Parikh, publisher of Desi Talk and recipient of the Padma Shri award;
Gulshan Chhabra; Robert Karabinchak, president, Edison Council; Michael Lombardi, vice president, Edison Council; Puja Shah from Sony Entertainment Television Asia, among others.
Organizers told Desi Talk that through the years, the burning of the Ravana effigy remains a major highlight of this festival. Ravana was believed to have abducted Rama’s wife Sita, and was terrorizing other kingdoms.
The importance of Dushahra emanates from this story, when Lord Ram, with the help of Lord Hanuman and his army of monkeys, vanar sena, defeated Ravana, thus paving way for the defeat of evil and all its vices. Twenty days after Dushahra, Hindus celebrate Diwali, when Ram is said to have returned to his Kingdom Ayodhya after killing Ravana.
The festival included something for everyone – a four-hour-long cultural program with dances and music performed by over 200 artists, ethnic Indian food, a crafts bazaar, and ethnic Indian dresses, jewelry, arts and artefacts.
Currently in its 16th year, the New Jersey festival has been inaugurated by several elected officials included former New Jersey governors Christie Whitman, Jon Corzine, Congressmen Frank Pallone and many others. The New Jersey Senate and General Assembly have awarded the festival a Joint Resolution, recognizing the significance of the annual event.
The annual festival was initiated by Mangal Gupta, the late founder and chairman of Indo American Festival Inc., fifteen years ago. The committee members, with the leadership of Gupta’s wife Chanchal Gupta, have continued the tradition, two years after his death, for two years ago.
A similar festival was held on Sept. 21 at the South Street Seaport in New York.
