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https://www.dallasnews.com/news/faith/2019/11/05/hindu-festival-of-lights-draws-thousands-to-cotton-bowl-in-fair-park/

NEWSFAITH

Hindu ‘festival of lights’ draws thousands to Cotton Bowl in Fair Park

Diwali Mela features community performances, plenty of Indian food and a Ramlila play — where the “magic happens.”

Sixteen-year-old Sanjana Shangle performs Saturday in the Ramlila, a musical drama and dance production that depicts Hindu mythology during Diwali Mela at Fair Park in Dallas.(Kara Dry / Special Contributor)

By Sriya Reddy

10:06 AM on Nov 5, 2019

A Hindu celebration of the triumph of good over evil drew more people to the Cotton Bowl in Fair Park this weekend than the last bowl game to be played there.

Sonam Modi and her son Kush Gupta place a light at a traditional altar during Diwali Mela on Saturday in Fair Park.(Kara Dry / Special Contributor)

A crowd of about 15,000 gathered Saturday night for the 14th annual Diwali Mela, commonly known as the “festival of lights.” The DFW Indian Cultural Society organized community performances, numerous vendors and booths, and a Ramlila play depicting the Ramayana, an epic from Indian mythology.

One of the most widely celebrated Indian holidays, the Diwali Mela started in Dallas because the cultural society wanted to preserve the culture and share it with the community, board member Chat Ganesh said. In its first year, the Indian Cultural Society expected about 2,000 attendees. Instead, about 30,000 showed up.

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“This gave us a lot of courage to keep hosting it,” Ganesh said. “The growth has been very encouraging for us.”

The last bowl game played at the Cotton Bowl was the First Responder Bowl on Dec. 26, which got called off in the first quarter because of a thunderstorm. Before that, about 16,400 tickets were sold or given away for the game.

Ganesh said that one of his favorite parts of Diwali Mela is seeing those who are not Indian come to learn and celebrate Diwali.

“Seeing local Americans come to understand what it is promotes the unity in diversity,” Ganesh said.

A group from Kalachandji’s, a Hare Krishna temple and vegetarian restaurant in Dallas, dance with other attendees at the Diwali Mela festival outside the Cotton Bowl in Fair Park.(Kara Dry / Special Contributor)

Sarah Rayas was there with a group of fellow Christians to learn more about Diwali. She teaches in a primarily Hindu community and wanted to see two of her students perform, as well as observe the similarities between Diwali and her own religion.

Mangala Kagal helps Dr. Prakash Kagal straighten his Ravana costume, a 10-headed demon portrayed in Ramlila.(Kara Dry / Special Contributor)

“We believe in Jesus as light and light over darkness,” Rayas said. “Diwali is the festival of lights, so we wanted to explore that connection.”

The Ramlila performance was the main event of the night. Kalpana Fruitwala has coordinated the performance for 12 years and said the play is the best part of Diwali Mela.

“Every time it comes on the stage it looks spectacular,” Fruitwala said. “It looks out of this world because once you see the entire Ramayana acted with costume, it gives you goosebumps. Magic happens.”

Balayashmitha Allada gets a high-five Saturday after performing with her troupe from Nrithya Dance Academy at Fair Park in Dallas.(Kara Dry / Special Contributor)