Thousands attend spectacular Dusshera-Diwali festival event in Houston
Houston, Oct., 24, 2018: Thousands of Indian-Americans gathered for a spectacular annual Dussehra-Diwali festival event in Houston.
The event, a regular feature in Houston for the last seven years, was held at the sprawling Skeeters Stadium on Saturday and also saw the participation of Texas Governor Greg Abbott. This was the first time that any high ranking public official joined the Indian-American community to celebrate an Indian festival.
Watch Governor Greg Abbott speaking at the Dusshera Diwali celebration 2018 in Houston
Representatives of the consulates of India, Indonesia, Brazil and Mexico also joined the celebrations.
The Diwali-Dusshera festival event was organised by the Shri Sita Ram Foundation, a non profit engaged in 
promoting Vedic culture – the ancient culture and heritage of India.
Watch event video here
The entire stadium was decorated with a million multi-coloured lights, floral garlands and a large figure of Ganesha adorned the entrance.
Children acted in plays of Indian epics on a stage in the middle of
Constellation Field, and families took photos with people dressed as gods and goddesses from Indian scriptures. A parade and fireworks closed out the celebration.
Event had a bazaar, food court with Indian street food
The event featured a ‘mini-India Bazaar’ with beautifully decorated red satin-draped shops glittering with lights adorning the entire concourse, selling traditional jewellery, clothing and sundry items and a food court offering various Indian street food.
Congressman Pete Olson was the parade marshal for the Dusshera Parade, which was the highlight of the evening.
Priests from different temples in Houston together performed the ‘Maha Aarti’ – final prayers to conclude the event.
Governor Greg Abott video courtesy: Shri Sita Ram Foundation
Pictures Courtesy: chron.com
