Another Festival of Lights, No Menorah Required

Fireworks and ashrams don't often mix, but behold the exception this Saturday at Bharsana Dham, a Hindu religious center just outside of Austin. That's where you can join a celebration of Divali, the Hindu Festival of Lights.

A kind of uberholiday, Divali commemorates multiple events. Bharsana Dham's ceremony happens to focus on the victory of Lord Ram (an ancient Indian King) over Ravana (an awful tyrant). The underlying spiritual significance of the event? It's the triumph of good over evil. To learn more about the epic tension between these two forces, look into Buffy's vanquishment of The First.

Now back to you, prospective revelers: Saturday's Divali jam on the southwestern outskirts of town (think beyond Circle C) will feature dinner, and we have it on excellent authority that the food is dee-licious. An official religious service follows, so please: decorum. Don't be rollin' in with a six pack of beer and flashing your longhorn hands, 'kay?

But do come prepared to shake your moneymaker. There will be traditional, lively Indian garba dancing throughout the evening, and a finale fireworks display.

Divali Celebration at Bharsana Dham
Saturday, October 21st
400 Barsana Road [directions/map]
5:30pm - 11pm
Free

Photo of Divali celebration courtesy of Kokeshi