Lokvani wishes all its readers a very happy Navaratri and Vijay Dashmi!

Besides Hawaii, California ($764K) and Massachusetts ($662K) are two of the most expensive states to own a house.

Composer, singer and vocal coach, Sudha Subbraman is presenting a beautiful concert - "Antarmann" on Oct .25, 2026 at the Om Center in Billerica, MA. She shares insights into her personal musical journey and details on this concert. The concert is a fund raiser for Support-a-Child. 

by Pandit Bharani 
Across the Hindu communities around the world, devotees organize Mata Ki Chowki to express their love and gratitude to the Goddess, seek her blessings and find peace through prayer and devotional singing. For many families, this sacred gathering is an expression of faith during difficult times, a thanksgiving for blessings received, or an opportunity to celebrate an important milestone in life.

Philanthropy met high-energy celebration on October 10th as the Desai Foundation hosted its signature Lotus Festival at Gillette Stadium.

by Aarti Khurana
What began as an idea for Ekal New Hampshire’s first fundraiser turned into an unforgettable afternoon of music, community, generosity and impact. Held on September 13 at Nashua High School North, Assi Nabbe Poore Sau marked a major milestone for the newly formed Ekal Vidyalaya New Hampshire Chapter. The community came together with a shared purpose, supporting education and opportunity for children in rural and underserved communities across India.

 Theater lovers in Greater Boston were treated to an unforgettable cultural evening as legendary actors Anupam Kher and Swaroop Sampat took the stage in the Hindi musical comedy-drama Jaane Pehchaane Anjane.

Over the past month, IITAGNE hosted its Annual Picnic, a 3D Printing Workshop and the IITBHF UnIITy Walk/Hike.

On October 3, the Littleton High School stage came alive with an extraordinary celebration of devotion, dance, music, and storytelling through Soodi Kodutha Sudar Kodi, a spectacular dance production presented by the students of Hema Iyengar (Nritya-Anjali School Of Dance) on the occasion of celebrating 20yrs of her dance school. [more]

by Priyanka Mishra 
On September 26, 2026, despite rain and storm predictions, Chinmaya Mission Boston’s new Vanaprastha Program welcomed an almost full house for its inaugural gathering. What began as a sankalpa by our Spiritual Leader, Dr. Shashi Dwarakanath Ji, to create a meaningful and vibrant community for senior participants came alive with tremendous warmth, enthusiasm, and joy.

Dancilla YogaFusion made its first-ever theatrical production in Massachusetts with Neelkanth: The Rise of Shiva, an ambitious fusion of dance, theater, music and visual storytelling presented at the J. Everett Collins Center for the Performing Arts in Andover on October 3rd.

Sri Lakshmi Temple, Rhode Island Hindu Temple Society, Vallabhdham Temple, Sri Siddha Lalitha Peetham and Braj Mandir are celebrating Navaratri !

Diwali Gala, Navaratri, Divine Vibes and Shlokathon at Chinmaya Mission Boston.

Vibha Garba Night 2026 is bringing friends, families, Garba lovers, first-timers, and the wider Boston community together for an evening of Garba, music, culture, food, and community on October 17 at Newton North High School.

Free Health Fair at Sai Unity Center on Saturday October 17th.

Audiences across Greater Boston are invited to experience the magic of the Indian epic Ramayana through Ramleela Reimagined, a vibrant theatrical production presented by Hub of Myths. Scheduled for Sunday, October 18, 2026 at Regis College in Weston, the production offers a fresh, engaging interpretation of the Ramayana and is performed entirely in English.

Come celebrate Diwali with South Asian Nation on October 24th in Watertown, MA !! A fantastic event catered towards families and folks in the community that want to have fun!

Boston Bhangra, North America’s largest independent Indian dance competition, has announced the 12 teams that will be competing for the title this year on Saturday, November 14, 2026, at the Strand Theatre in Dorchester. For the first time in its 23-year history, the celebration of northern Indian dance and culture will be split into two categories, Live and Music. [more]

On September 12, 2026, Aishwarya Balakrishnan, lovingly known as Aishu, presented her Bharatanatyam Arangetram at the Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library, in a program dedicated to the timeless tradition of the dance, the enduring guru-shishya bond, and the community whose encouragement made the milestone possible. Aishu is a devoted disciple of Guru Smt. Sunanda Narayanan, an acclaimed exponent of the Vazhuvoor tradition and director of the Thillai Fine Arts Academy in Newton, MA.

by Suryaa Ramaswamy
I still remember the first time I saw Madhumita Nambiar dance. I found myself watching her far more than I was watching anyone else. About nine years later, I had the privilege of watching her perform a full margam, this time - her 10th Arangetram anniversary performance on September 12, 2026. What unfolded on stage was not simply a celebration of a decade since her debut, but a portrait of a dancer who had grown enormously in both technique and expression.

by Amrutha Ananth 
I first saw Ananya Magesh in August 2023 at her arangetram, when the stage carried the anticipation of a beginning. Three years later, watching her perform a full margam, I became aware of a different measure of growth. The changes were not merely technical. They appeared in the confidence of her pauses, the clarity of her rhythmic choices and her willingness to let a moment unfold before moving on. I was no longer watching a young dancer full of promise, but an artist beginning to inhabit that promise with conviction.

The Carnatic music maestro Saikrishna Mohan, who is one of the Trichur Brothers talked to Lokvani about his musical journey and their teaching platform for Carnatic music. [more]

The Indian-American community joins millions worldwide in celebrating the extraordinary courage and quick thinking of Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian airline pilot hailed as a global hero after thwarting a life-threatening cockpit attack aboard a Flydubai flight.

by Dr Indrajeet Tyagi and Dr. Iranna Hirapur
Acute bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchial tubes that carry air into the lungs. It commonly develops after a viral respiratory infection and may cause persistent coughing, mucus production, chest discomfort, sore throat, fatigue, and sometimes, mild fever. Although the cough can last for two to three weeks, most uncomplicated cases improve with supportive care.

The Mediators of Atherosclerosis in South Asians Living in America (MASALA) Study is the largest and longest-running research study of heart disease and diabetes of South Asians in the United States to explain why South Asians develop heart disease at rates two to four times more often than other groups and often a decade earlier. ICC is partnering with other organizations to raise $500,000 for critical biomarker and genetic analyses—helping turn 15 years of research into new insights that could improve and save lives in the South Asian community.

by Pandit Bharani 
Navaratri is one of the most sacred and spiritually uplifting festivals in the Hindu tradition. The word Navaratri means “nine nights,” a period dedicated to the worship of Devi—the Divine Mother, the eternal source of Shakti, or divine energy. For nine nights and ten days, devotees turn inward through prayer, fasting, meditation, music, chanting and worship, seeking the blessings of the Mother Goddess for strength, wisdom, prosperity and spiritual transformation.

During the sacred nine nights of Navaratri, devotees across India worship the many forms of Shakti—the Divine Mother. Among these powerful manifestations, Maa Chamundeshwari holds a special place in the hearts of devotees, particularly in Karnataka. The Karnataka government identifies Chamundeshwari as the presiding deity of Mysuru and the tutelary deity of the former Mysuru royal family.

The Platform, a new performing arts center at 585 Kendall, will hosts a free Opening Day on Sat., Nov. 7. Designed for artists, audiences, community gatherings and creative exchange, the state-of-the-art venue welcomes the community to experience the vibrant new cultural destination in the heart of Kendall Square

O Maa Durga, Mother divine
In every heart, may Your blessings shine
Give us courage when we face the night
And fill our lives with wisdom and light

Nine sacred nights, the lamps brightly glow,
As Mother Durga blesses all below;
With prayers and devotion, our hearts become light,
And faith fills our homes with hope and delight...

O Maa Durga, Mother divine Let Your light in our hearts forever shine With lion's courage and love so deep Your children You protect and keep ... [more]

by Madhumati Tyagi
Dates (Phoenix dactylifera) are sweet, nutrient-rich fruits that have been valued in traditional Indian, Middle Eastern, and Ayurvedic food practices for centuries. They provide natural sugars, dietary fiber, potassium, copper, and other nutrients. Dates can be a healthy addition to a balanced diet when eaten in moderate quantities.

by Geetha Patil 
Masoor dal, also known as red lentil soup, is a traditional Indian dish that is nutritious, comforting, and easy to prepare. Rich in plant-based protein, dietary fiber, folate, and iron, it can be a valuable addition to a balanced diet. When prepared with ginger, turmeric, cumin, and fresh vegetables, Masoor dal offers both flavor and nutritional benefits.

 'Like a treasure hidden in the earth, like a fragrance hidden in a flower, God resides within the heart.' - Akka Mahadevi.