A recent decision by the Hindu Mandir’s management to transition from Dusshera celebrations to Diwali aligns with the themes of light overcoming darkness and the victory of good. The evening Diwali Mela under the clear & calm Vegas sky brought in over 400 attendees, which started with devotional songs in Hindi and Sanskrit.

Diwali, the most auspicious of Hindu festivals, is celebrated in India and by diaspora worldwide. Known as the Festival of Lights, it emphasizes and brings joy, togetherness, and India’s cultural richness among communities worldwide. The local celebrations were filled with cultural activities and delicious food. Most attendees were newcomers to Las Vegas and were delighted to enjoy the mela.

The delicious street food from Vada Pav, Biryani, Pani Puri, and Dosa were crowd-pleasers and captured the diversity of Indian street food. The dedicated teams of volunteers were involved in preparing the food, which added a special touch to the community spirit of the event. However, many of the food pavilion tent spaces were empty. With only six food stations for the burgeoning attendees, the slow-moving lines added a galling long wait. “I have been waiting in line at the same spot for half an hour; this is unacceptable.” said one attendee. “Based on the prior experiences, it is expected that the management should do a better job in organizing such events, especially food stations,” said another attendee who was frustrated standing in line for a long time and even for a cup of chai made attendees wait for an inconceivable long wait. 

Many of the vendors from previous years, like those at the Dusshera Mela, were noticeably absent this time. The vendors’ tent felt sparse, with only one local vendor present, showcasing a lovely collection of women’s outfits and costume jewelry. Their vibrant displays brought a touch of life to the otherwise empty space, but it was clear that the bustling atmosphere of past events was missed.

Multiple groups of community volunteers were at the Mandir directing the traffic, parking, selling food tickets, managing the audio system, and assisting the volunteers from the LV Metro Police Department. However, the major disaster was dodged. Except for a few parents, there was no hired supervision help at the kid’s play area with multiple bouncy houses. Multiple kids got hurt and sustained minor bruises. It is reported that one aggressive boy, in particular, stopped the inflator machine, which resulted in the collapse of a bouncy house while some kids were still inside the playhouse. It’s crucial for events like this to have adequate supervision to ensure safety and prevent serious accidents. 

The blend of traditional and contemporary vibrant Bollywood music and dance performances by children brought the spirit of Diwali in a shared celebration of culture, diversity, creativity, joy, and fostering friendships. The evening entertainment brought in local singers in multiple Indian languages, from Hindi to Tamil to Telugu, while children performed classical group dances. The entertainment segment, with a diverse medley of songs, music, and dances, provided a vibrant atmosphere where everyone seemed to enjoy the performances. 

Hon. Reuben D’Silva, the only Indian-American elected official in Nevada, delivered an inspiring message to the community. He congratulated everyone for coming together to celebrate this significant festival of lights. He announced that he is sponsoring a bill during the upcoming legislative session and looking to make Diwali a officially recognized holiday by the State of Nevada. “I hope you join me in supporting this bill,” said D’Silva. The announcement was met with enthusiastic applause from the attendees, highlighting the growing recognition and appreciation of cultural diversity in the state.