TRINIDAD & TOBAGO, October 17, 2008: The Divali Nagar (Village of Lights) festival, held annually here during the nine days preceding Divali, is well under way and will culminate on October 27, the night before Divali, with a tremendous fireworks display.
Divali Nagar is the flagship project of the National Council of Indian Culture (NCIC). It centers around the festival of Divali and features the best of Indian culture as practiced in Trinidad and Tobago. Indian culture is showcased through religious songs (bhajans), dances, folk songs, theater, bhajans, and religious dramatizations. Worship to Mother Lakshmi is conducted each night.
Other attractions include annual displays by various Hindu sects and Non Governmental Organizations; the food court where Indo-Trinidadian vegetarian food in all its forms can be bought; art exhibitions of painting and sculpture; and the commercial area where one can purchase Indian clothes, jewelry, furniture, art, and religious items, including books, tapes, CDs, and DVDs. Divali Nagar has gradually become a tourist attraction, with average attendance exceeding 100,000 persons.
Divali is observed by 3 religions, Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism. In addition to its strong religious significance (Rama returned to Ayodhya, Shakti joined Shiva, etc.), it is also a cultural festival, marking the New Year in some parts of India.
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