Priest Premakantha Kurrukal will play a role in the Santana Dharma Festival, to be held at Springvale Town Hall later this month.By Rebecca Fraser
BRIDGING the gap between Hindus and the broader community will be the main aim of the first Santana Dharma Festival.
The festival aims to emphasise the happiness that can be gained through respecting different cultures and traditions.
Partially sponsored by the Victorian Multicultural Commission, the day will promote a greater understanding of Hinduism, as supported by the Interfaith Network of Greater Dandenong.
Hindu Society of Victoria (HSV) president Sudhir Rastogi said the general public was welcome to attend the festival.
He said the festival would introduce people to Hindu culture.
The festival seeks to provide the general population with an understanding of the essential values of Hinduism, including universal tolerance, HSV spiritual affairs chairperson Kumaran Thangarajah said.
“The day will create an awareness of the Hindu philosophy and talk about the universality of mankind,” he said.
“Hinduism is not a religion but more of a teaching.
“People can come along and pick and choose out the parts of Hinduism that they want to learn.”
The Santana Dharma Festival will showcase many aspects of Hinduism through exhibitions, cultural artefacts, music and dance performances, discussions, demonstrations and workshops.
A highlight of the festival will be a yoga course.
The Shiva Vishnu Temple in Carrum Downs will provide free Indian food on the day.
Other events on the day will include performances by Bhajan Music students.
Information on meditation techniques for busy workers will also be included in the day’s events.
The festival will be held at the Springvale Town Hall, Springvale Road, on 21 August 2005 from 9am to 5.30pm.
For more information, phone Kumuran Thangarajah on 0411 269 318 or the Shiva Vishnu Temple, Carrum Downs, on 9782 0878.
