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Dusshera Festivities Bring Throngs of Community Members to Hindu Mandir

After over two years of coronavirus pandemic-related restrictions with no significant celebrations at the Mandir, Hindu Mandir saw over one-thousand members of the community coming together to celebrate the Hindu festival of Dusshera. The carnival-style celebrations brought the enthusiastic Indian community from all regions of India, with volunteers serving regional Indian cuisine.   

The packed crowd of attendees was enthusiastic about meeting friends and enjoying the vast array of street food prepared by the volunteers and local children’s entertainment. The eventful stage was busy with engaging and entertaining performances from local children from varied age groups. Children’s entertainment included a fancy dress competition, delightful cultural dances, and singing routines. The children’s gameplay area with multiple bounce houses under parents’ supervision brought in a brisk playful evening of fun activities. Women attendees enjoyed shopping with local vendors focusing on colorful women’s outfits and costume jewelry. Nothing for Indian men, though.

Sheriff Joe Lombardo with Hindu Mandir Priest Brijesh Rawal

Nevada gubernatorial candidate Sheriff Joe Lombardo was there to meet and mingle with the members of the Indian community in his bid to unseat the current Nevada Governor. Las Vegas City Councilman Stavros Anthony and a Nevada Lt. Governor candidate was in attendance to introduce himself to the attendees. Also mingling in the crowd was April Becker, a Republican candidate for the US Congress, and her opponent, Democratic Congresswoman Susie Lee. Judge Joanna Krishna, a regular Mandir visitor, and a yoga practitioner, was seen mingling and enjoying the festivities.

Hindu Mandir management and volunteers had put hundreds of hours of their own time into bringing the Dusshera celebration back to its hay days. The performance stage and the food stall tents were packed in a small parking area, while almost all of the parking lot near the east and west gate areas were empty. The unmanageable crowd and long wait lines at the food stalls contributed to some frustration for the hungry masses. However, food aficionados cheerfully enjoyed their insatiable appetite for freshly prepared masala dosas, vada pav, banana fritters, multiple roadside chaat variations, mango lassi, delectable Indian sweets, and more.

As the Indian community continues to grow and attendance increases, the planning committee should consider expanding seating space and utilizing the expansive temple grounds for food and vendor stalls. Except for the absence of fireworks and an extremely crowded food area with unpleasantly limited seating, the Mandir had successful Dusshera celebrations, with the burning an effigy of Rawana to acknowledge the victory of good over evil. 






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