Submitted by: Atmarama Das – Secretary, Festival of India-Lagos Organizing Committee
In the final countdown to the much anticipated first-ever Festival of India in Nigeria, hundreds of thrilled Indians and Nigerians witnessed the colourful Chariot Inauguration Ceremony which took place at the expansive compound of Gaurapad Charities, an ISKCON affiliated Non-Governmental Governmental Organization (NGO), at Maryland, Lagos on Sunday the 31st of July 2016.
The three towering, beautifully decorated Chariots are the central spectacle of the Festival of India which has an unforgettable impact on the minds and hearts of its countless visitors and active participants in major cities worldwide.
In celebration of ISKCON’s 50th year anniversary, devotees in Nigeria have planned for this year’s Ratha Yatra Festival to be an “international media event for distributing Lord Jagannatha’s Mercy, centred around Vaisnava seva, preaching and entertainment.”
The proposed venue for the 2016 Festival is the historic landmark Tafawa Balewa Square, Race Course, Lagos Island where the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode is participating as the Chief Host.
Bali Das, the founder of Gaurapad Charities and a former President of the Performing Musicians’ Association of Nigeria (PMAN), who is also the Chairman of the Festival of India Organising Committee explained, “The Festival of India is not only about fashion, jewellery, culture and Bollywood. There is a higher purpose. We are also using the Festival platform to forge diplomatic, cultural and commercial ties with the world’s fastest growing economy – India.”
Co-Chairman of the Festival Organizing Committee, Mr Diwesh Mishra reminded the audience that the Festival would include a colourful display of various Indian costumes, dressing and dance groups representing different states in India as well as cultural groups from Nigeria – “This is in line with the overriding goal of the Festival which is “Celebrating Cultural Unity & Diversity for national and global peace – vasudhaiva kutumbakam (the world is one family.)”
The Festival of India’s stage will host an unprecedented kaleidoscope of internationally renowned traditional and contemporary music stars from India and Nigeria such as the multiple-award winner Anup Jalota, as well as a host of other traditional and contemporary stars, dancers, and dramatic artists.
ISKCON GBC, HH Kavicandra Swami, Regional Secetary of ISKCON West Africa, HH Bhakti Dhira Damodara Swami, and other visiting sannyasis – HH Bhakti Nityananda Maharaj, HH Bhakti Nrsimha Swam, HH Bhakti Carudesna Swami and other senior devotees from different countries will be at the Festival to speak to the up to 50,000 guests expected at the event.
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