Thousands enjoy Navratri garba hosted by Indo-American Cultural Fdn. Of Central Jersey

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The Indo-American Cultural Foundation of Central Jersey – IACFNJ, held its Navratri Garba celebration in South Brunswick October 4 & 5, 2024, at South Brunswick High School in NJ.

More than 3,000 people came to enjoy the celebrations, according to a press release from the organization.

Navratri celebration marks the festival of nine nights during which Hindu devotees worship the Goddess of Shakti Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati. The Hindus believe Goddess Durga destroys all the evil propensities lurking the minds of her devotees, Goddess Lakshmi implants divine qualities in the devotee’s minds and Goddess Saraswati bestows true knowledge to her devotees.

The tenth day, also known as Vijay Dashami, commemorates the victory of good over evil.

Indians from the surrounding towns in South and North Brunswick, Franklin Park, Somerset, Princeton, Hightstown, Princeton Junction, Monroe, East Brunswick, Robbinsville and East and West Windsor attended the event.

People of all ages enjoyed the traditional community garba which also displayed the cultural diversity of Central Jersey where the attendees hailed from various parts of Indian subcontinent.

The Goddess Amba Maa’s divine traditional Aarti and prayer was performed on both days followed by the Prasad to all attendees. The center stage was decorated with Goddess Amba Maa’s statue in a temple setting. Food was servedby Honest Restaurant in North Brunswick. Local vendors with various clothing, jewelry and traditional items had curious crowds at their stalls.

Local entrepreneurs, community leaders, and local public officials joined the celebrations. Officials included South Brunswick Councilwoman Archana Grover, North Brunswick Councilman Rajesh Mehta, South Brunswick School Board members Barry Nathanson, Dr. Smitha Raj, Deepa Karthik and Mike Mitchell.

Faith Home Healthcare and Royal Basmati Rice were the Grand Sponsors of the event.  Royal Basmati Rice – LT Foods sponsored two prizes for the Best Dress and Best Dance categories.  Kaushik Vyas from LT Foods presented two prizes to the winners