IRCC is gearing up for the highly anticipated Anand Bazaar on January 29 at Miramar Regional Park! Come enjoy the festivities and celebrate Republic day, Uttarayan (kite flying), and Lohri with us. Students – take this opportunity to join a youth club or even run for office – youth club election forms are open until January 24th. We’ll have plenty of exciting items available for purchase including kites and thread. Registration for food vendors ends on January 24th, so sign up fast! Join IRCC in beautiful South Florida to experience Anand Bazaar at its finest. And don’t forget to renew your IRCC membership as well, since annual memberships expired on December 31!
What is Lohri?
Lohri is a popular Hindu festival celebrated mainly in North India to mark the end of winter solstice and onset of longer days. It is a joyous occasion which signifies warmth, joy and positive energy that bring cheer among everyone. People perform a bonfire ceremony on Lohri by singing around the fire and making offerings into the fire with heart-warming devotion. Everyone revels in its festive atmosphere making it one of the most beloved festivals in the region.
Uttarayan and Kite Flying explained…
Uttarayan, or the kite flying festival, is celebrated on Makar Sankranti – a Hindu solar event – in India and other parts of South East Asia. Traditionally, kite flying was associated with good harvests, lots of colors signifying joy, and competing to see who could fly their kites higher in the sky. Today, you can see people of all ages enjoying this festive activity – huge multi-colored kites decorate the skies across India during Uttarayan, which is most popular in western India. It has become a popular sport as well, with teams competing in kite battles, maneuvering their kites to try and cut off rival competitors’ strings! This vibrant event lightens everyone’s hearts and helps strengthen bonds between family and friends.
Republic Day – a solemn occasion and a celebration
Republic Day is an annual event celebrated across India on 26th January to mark the formation of the Indian Constitution. It is one of India’s most cherished public holiday with grand events including flag hoisting ceremonies, parades, and other festivities. The Indian capital, New Delhi witnesses a spectacular march past in an elaborate parade that showcases India’s cultural diversity as well as its military prowess. Celebrations also reach out to many corners of the country where local festivals and fairs are organized in honor of Republic Day. From dance and music to patriotic speeches, people across the country come together on this day in honor of this national occasion.
As we can see, even formal occasions like Republic Day are akin to festivals like Uttarayan and Lohri because Indian culture is full of celebrations and festivities that bring the community together. With people scattered around the world, it can be difficult to participate in such events. The Indian Regional and Cultural Center (IRCC) was created to bridge this gap and enable individuals near and far to stay connected with their culture. Through hosting events like Anand Bazaar, IRCC helps foster a sense of belonging for those who are celebrating these events away from India. By preserving Indian traditions and festivals in an overseas setting, IRCC allows us to share our customs with others – both within the community and outside of it – which can result in increased understanding and cross-cultural dialogue.
Renew your membership online: visit https://irccflorida.org/pages/membership_signup.php.
Sign up as a food vendor at the event: submit your form online at https://irccflorida.org/anand-bazar-vendor/.
Enroll in the youth club or to run for office: submit your form online at https://irccflorida.org/youth-club-enrollment/.
