On 22nd October, the Bowman Hall in Blacktown was packed with ladies dressed in traditional lehengas and saris, palms covered with mehendi, all gathered to partake in the Karva Chauth Mela 2013.
Karva Chauth is a one-day Hindu festival, where women fast from sunrise to moonrise for the longevity of their husbands.
For a few years now, Event News Australia has been organising the Karva Chauth Mela in Blacktown. The event, which has grown in popularity over the years, is the only one in Australia.
As they waited together for the moon to appear, Pandit Narendra Dev ji narrated the story of the Karva Chauth pooja, after which prayers were said and good wishes exchanged by the women folk. After the pooja and other rituals, there was a whole range of cultural performances organised for the fasting women. Various interesting competitions like ‘Bride of Australia’ and ‘Best couple’ were also organised, which were thoroughly enjoyed by the participants and the audience, complete with their talent rounds and Q&A sessions.
The prizes were equally exciting — return air tickets to New Zealand by the Patel Brothers, Harris Park, the main sponsor of the Mela; prizes from Jadoo TV, Haveli Harris Park, Agam Group, Spoons Function Centre, Milan Bazar and more.
Live Strings, bhangra, choreography, lucky draw, DJ, food and drink stalls were the other attractions of this Mela.
Michelle Rowland, MP of the area, was the chief guest, and she looked fabulous in her ethnic Indian wear.
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