AYAMONTE, SPAIN, August 14, 2011: Hundreds of people gathered Friday evening at the Plaza of Spain in the riverside town of Ayamonte, to kick off the Festival of the Five Senses which this year pays tribute to Indian culture.
Festival goers were able to enjoy various activities including performances of a fusion of Indian dance and flamenco, Indian dancing, and Tibetan storytelling. Besides the entertainment, there were workshops on meditation, yoga and tai-chi, and booths selling Indian handicrafts and food.
The mayor of Ayamonte, Antonio Rodriguez Castillo, who was present at the opening ceremony, highlighted the success of last year’s edition of this event, and observed that the festival provides a great activity for summertime visitors to the city and a good opportunity for everyone to enjoy and learn about Hindu culture.
An Aarti ceremony of fire and water, similar to what is performed on banks of the Ganges, was enacted daily as an offering to the nearby Guadiana River. There was also an opportunity for visitors to witness and enjoy a recreation of a Hindu wedding.