Saturday, May 13, declared a day of Hindu Heritage, by the Governor of Massachusetts had historic significance. Over 1,350 people attended the tenth anniversary celebration mela made auspicious by life giving rain, a record assembly for HHD, and second largest gathering of people of Indian origin to take place in the Boston area to date. The auditorium of 1100 seating was filled to capacity with some people standing in aisles to view the cultural program, causing excitement in performers as well as safety disquiet in volunteers. The hallways with stalls full of artists, vendors, information booths, charitable organizations, health foods, and meditation centers saw an unprecedented number of people stop by. Not to be compared with the incomparable Kumbh Mela of India, this little mela of our Indian community, organized by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America, generated the same feeling of unity in the 29 participating organizations and attendees. This unity was visible in all aspects of the mela. A united Indian community participated in providing for 41 Ekal Vidyalaya (one teacher schools) with one anonymous generous donor matching each school donation. In total, in one afternoon alone, donations were received for 82 one teacher schools for providing basic education in different parts of rural India, no small contribution from Boston area residents.

The mela catered to the interest of all ages; and in the process 70 long tables were utilized by various organizations and businesses. In total, 744 indoor games were played by children that included Wishing Well, Darts, Tower-Building, Basketball, Artsy-Craftsy, Bhagwan Moves, Bowling, The Empty Pitcher, The Prized Cup, Ring toss, and The Skinny Heavyweight. The cafeteria became a cozy place to get mouth watering bhel, samosa, dosa, tikki, chole bhature, kadhi chawal to be washed down with lassi, chai, and soft drinks while conversing on topics light as well as serious in the company of friends and new acquaintances. A large screen movie played Sri Hanuman and other classics. One mother confided that the children ate without fuss with the attention engaged in the movie. A large exhibit of different aspects of Hindu thought and philosophy in extremely well done colorful posters attracted a lot of interest among parents and children alike. The families were able to get the much sought for Amar Chitra Katha booklets suitable for summer reading besides information on VHPA annual camp to be held in August. The kite flying had to be canceled due to the command of Mother Nature, but all the other activities took place on schedule. The mehndi, face painting, the portraits, and picture coloring have been traditionally popular with children and mothers alike, but some new events were extremely well received. The strains of music for Kathak dance demonstration could be heard in the hallway with appreciative audience applause. The allotted space for music and dance mini-lessons was found to be inadequate with the volunteers making a mental note to get a bigger room next year. There were no less than five organizations offering different forms of meditation that was received extremely positively. People got mini-sessions in concentration and meditation while music and laughter could be heard inside the room without the participants feeling ruffled and exhibiting the slightest annoyance. This represented the true essence of mela and the Hindu personality where all aspects of life are combined and accepted in a holistic fashion.

The mela was not just fun and games, but had its serious side to it. Hindu Values, the main theme of the mela was discussed with participants from high school age to grandparents. There is a great interest in acquainting the next generation with Hindu values thereby preserving them. The two criteria essential for acceptance of any ideal as a Hindu value are those that allow for individual growth or evolution in harmony with others. The comprehensive Vedic value system gives importance to the cultivation of all ideals that support the main purpose of human birth: Liberation. The supporting values are similar to the needle of the compass that always points to the North Pole of Self or God-Realization. Any principle that fails to advance man in his earthly sojourn towards this ultimate goal is discarded as having no inherent value. The uniqueness of the Vedic system is that the rishis (seers) not only uncovered the ultimate value of Self or God-Realization but gave mankind several practical methods of realizing that supreme value. The values are not just lofty ideals but are meant to be practiced actively and attained while living. All in all, the mela provided a forum for thinking about our values in all aspects, from dance, music, and art, to service to others in its myriad forms. For additional information and pictures of the mela, visit http://boston.vhp-america.org.

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