Dusshera Mela

On Oct 13th there was a Dusshera Mela or fair in my vicinity. These fairs are held during the Hindu festival of Dusshera and Navratras ( nine nights) during which the goddess Kali or Durga is worshipped in her various avtars or incarnations.

This festival is celebrated with most enthusiasm by the people of Bengal.Besides the temples they erect worship venues or pandals ( elaborate marquees) where Durga is worshipped with music and dance. A nine day fast is also observed during which a special Navratra diet is consumed.
People are known to participate in various forms of black magic and sacrifices to ward off the evil eye and please the goddess (similar to voodoo).
In my city Dusshera is celebrated with street fairs and religious processions called Ramdal.
They begin a week after the birthday of god Krishna. The festival concluded yesterday with the burning of the effigy of the demon god Ravana and immersion of the idols of Durga.


I went to click some photos the procession with the pageants and floats comes out very late at night. An elephant makes the rounds.

There are stalls with cheap toys, jewelry and food and games and rides for children.

The chaat wala (street fast food)

Colorful glass bangles.

The bangle wala. Indian women are very fond of tinkling glass bangles. We used to buy lots when my sisters were all here.

Cheap sunglasses

Jewellery

Steel kitchen toy utensils for children.

A mother carrying her little one.

Pottery

Plastic dishes.

Fresh coconuts

Lamps and decorations

Plane ride

A boy selling bows and arrows for kids

Chinese noodles and burgers - vegetarian

A take away from a posh sweet shop

Vegetarian burgers called Pav Bhaji

Garlands to decorate idols

Artificial flowers

More jewellery

Stuffed toys

Naag devta or serpent god

Balloons

Hot pop corn made in a wok over charcoal.

Rice and sesame sweets called andarsay ( I bought some)

Sweet light

Laddus

Son papri ( sweet)

Peanuts being roasted.

Ornamental figures

Sweet and snack kiosk

Little purses

I hope you like these photos.

India Is ...

This evening I went to the Bible College

for a celebration of our Independence Day

The students and teachers presented a colourful program

representing our cultural, lingual and ethnic diversity.

Lighting of the ceremonial lamp.

A painted map of India was decorated with

earthen oil lamps

A war dance from Nagaland
The dancers in the photo above are from Mizoram.
The North Eastern States of Nagaland and Mizoram
are predominantly Christian. Before Christianity came to these parts,
the war-like tribes were head hunters
Now they are sending missionaries to various states
of India

Tribal leg covers.
They are hand woven on special looms.

More Mizo dancers.

There are two little girls too,

daughters of teachers

This sister from Europe teaches Hebrew.

Here she is taking part in a skit.

She is wearing a beautiful Indian saree.

She had henna on her hands

I really liked that I told her

Musicians from South India.
They are playing a variety of drums

These are folk dancers from the

neighbouring state of Jharkhand.

The women have henna on their feet and are wearing anklets

This group represents a number of

North Western States.

Here they are performing a Gujarati dance

It was a fun evening followed by a vegetarian dinner.

There were prayers for our country

and good fellowship with believers.