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Diwali and its Cultural Importance to India, Nepal and Sri Lanka

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Diwali, Deepavali or the Festival of Lights, is a culturally important holiday in India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.  Its origins have roots in the Hindu religion.  It’s celebrated in October or November, falling on different days, since it’s based on the lunar calendar. The main night of the holiday falls on the darkest night of the month. Diwali represents the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness, and overall hope over despair. The festival is celebrated in many countries outside of South Asia.  While it is a national holiday in India, Nepal and Sri Lanka, it is also officially recognized in Fiji, Guyana, Malaysia, Mauritius, Myanmar, Singapore, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago.

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Flavors of South Asia… continued!

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Thank you for your amazing support in making our April 2017 Flavors of South Asia event a success.

Please check out photos from our event here:  Flavors of South Asia – April 2017

 We are pleased to announce that due to the wonderful feedback and level of interest we received, we have added another date for this cooking class.  See details below.

Vibrant South Asian presents: Flavors of South Asia

Vibrant South Asian is pleased to announce that we have added another cooking event on July 27, 2017.
We are partnering with Stir Cooking School again to showcase the many different Flavors of South Asia.

At this event, you will be cooking a delicious five-course meal while learning about South Asian cultures.  A portion of ticket sales will go towards our mission of building libraries in South Asia and continuing educational programs here in Colorado.

On the menu:
Raita, Naan, Chicken or Vegetarian MoMos w/ chutney,
Lamb Vindaloo, Saag Paneer, and Kulfi Ice Cream.
Please note that dietary restrictions can be accommodated.
Please make a notation in the comments when registering for class.
A full cash bar is also available.

Click here, to purchase tickets.  Space is limited so buy your tickets soon

How to Give a Gift in South Asia

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As with most traditions, the origins are rarely known or have many stories behind them.  In South Asia, there are many traditions for gift giving.  Culture and religion often influence gift giving across South Asia, regardless of global consumerism influencing these countries.  When visiting someone’s home, the host or hostess may give you a gift on your initial visit to their home, especially if you are younger than them.  In return, you should bring flowers or sweets as a token of appreciation for their hospitality.  These gifts are commonly given to the head of the household upon arrival and you may notice the gift is received with both hands.  It is also not offensive to ask close family or friends what they would like to receive as a gift ahead of time.  Use bright colors for gift wrapping, particularly green, yellow, red or gold.
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The man from Bangladesh who reached for the skies!

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Today marks what would have been Fazlur Rahman Khan’s, a structural engineer who helped design some of America’s most iconic skyscrapers, 88th birthday.  Khan’s most important contribution to modern day skyscrapers is his “trussed tube” system.  Through his firm, Skidmore, Owing & Merrill, Khan’s design was first used in the Hancock building and then again in the iconic Sears Tower (Willis Tower today).  This new system made it cheaper, safer and easier to build tall structures, especially over 40 stories high.  His work shaped the way our cities look today.

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The Many Different Religions of South Asia

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To the unaccustomed eye, the medley of 1.7 billion South Asians spanning across six countries may look very similar.  However, many different cultural practices, languages, and even religions make up this region.  Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism are some of the most widely practiced religions in South Asia.

While India and Nepal make up the majority of the Hindu population in South Asia, there exist many beautiful temples and places of worship in widely Islamic countries like Bangladesh and Pakistan.  Similarly, historic mosques, prominent Buddhist and Jain temples, one-of-a-kind Sikh gurdwaras, and amazing churches exist across all countries in South Asia.

 Katas Raj Temple in Pakistan

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