Community members gathered on the Sri Venkateswara Temple on Saturday to rejoice Indian tradition with meals, music, dance and academic programming.

The annual competition, which started 13 years in the past, began as a neighborhood well being honest to offer free providers, akin to medical exams and blood strain checks, based on Chairman Rajan Ahuja. The competition returned this 12 months after being canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The South Texas Hindu Society was fashioned in 2002.

“It’s always been about giving back,” Ahuja mentioned. “Our community has been blessed with Corpus Christi and we have a lot of doctors who are Indian who wanted to get together and give back to the community.”

The festival kicked off with a group prayer, followed by a performance by Garjana Dhol Tasha, a 16-person band from San Antonio. Some band members carried large double-headed drums, or dhol tasha, tied around their waists with rope, while others held hand cymbals.

The band formed a circle outside the Sri Venkateswara Temple, as women from the crowd performed traditional dances in the middle while children waved bright orange flags.

Attendees browsed through booths, trying 12 different varieties of Indian food, getting henna tattooes and buying Indian jewelry and clothing. The event also featured educational programming about India.

Hindu society committee member Sonali Joshi, 42, said the festival is a way to allow Corpus Christi residents to experience Indian traditions, culture and dance.

“It’s open to anybody and everybody,” Joshi mentioned. “You can come and experience our music, fashion and prayers, and of course our food is so famous and you know everybody wants to try it. If we don’t showcase, how will everybody know what we have to offer?”

For more information or to donate to the South Texas Hindu Society, go to www.southtexashindusociety.org.

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