Sivapalan and Murugathasan playing Indian instruments, the naathaswaram and thavil (drums), at the Sanatana Dharma festival in Springvale. By Sarah Schwager
SPRINGVALE’S Hindu festival on Sunday was a big success, allowing people from around the area to learn about other cultures, to feast and be entertained.
The Sanatana Dharma festival, organised by the Hindu Society of Victoria, was the first ever and featured various programs and stalls.
Hindu Society of Victoria’s chairman of the subcommittee on spiritual affairs, Kumaran Thangarajah, who coordinated the function, said free lunch and admission were sure to make the event a success.
“We had to prepare 400 packets for lunch,” Mr Thangarajah said.
“It included Indian rice, dahl, curry and sweets.
“Most people who came didn’t come for the food. But they were very pleased when they found out.”
The festival, which was held at Springvale Town Hall, included live music featuring Indian instruments, a twohour yoga session, Ayurveda (Chinese herbal medicine), 12 stalls and mehandi, a type of henna tattoo.
“The programs were excellent,” Mr Thangarajah said.
“They aimed to help people understand Indian culture.”
Mr Thangarajah estimated 350 to 400 people attended over the whole day.
“It was really nice to see all the groups come together,” he said.
“We wanted to reach out to the public about our religion. The drawcard was the free food.”
Mr Thangarajah said making money had not been an issue for the festival.
“The event was more of a promotion of culture rather than selling things,” he said.
He said the Hindu Society were pleased with the response and said it was a good move having free admission.
“The main focus was on the openness of Hinduism, which accepts all religions as the true way of life.”
He said he and other groups at the festival had been able to brainstorm for the next festival.
“We came up with lots of ideas for next time. We might have it during summer.”
