From 11 to 14 August, the 7th India Day Festival will take place in “Dream Island” park, organized by the Indian National Cultural Centre “SITA”. The large-scale summer holiday is dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Russia and India. One of the most popular ethnic festivals in Moscow will take place for the first time after a two-year break and will bring together the most spectacular events and activities that mysterious India is known for. The program includes – carefree dancing and henna painting, a variety of Indian bazaars, masterclasses to learn Hindi, medical and sports competitions and talks, watching Indian movies and a grand chariot procession, and much more. All activities are free.
The festival has been held in Moscow since 2014 and every time its scale grows. India Day has become one of the brightest events of the summer, loved by Muscovites and guests of the capital.
Guests of the festival will immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the country of Bharat – as the Hindus themselves call their homeland – with its aromas of spices and incense, the taste of ripe mangoes and fresh chapatis, traditional music and dances.
The theme of the India Day festival this year is ecology and a healthy lifestyle. The initiative was backed by the global Save the Soil movement, initiated by Indian yoga guru and spirituality advocate Sadhguru to save the planet’s rapidly depleting soil. A rich program awaits guests, including a dance flash mob to the legendary hit from the movie “Disco Dancer” Jimmy Jimmy Aaja, film screenings of Bollywood films, fashion shows of Indian designers, and a children’s chess tournament.
In the recreation area, more than 200 professional masters will conduct meditations and yoga workshops to promote a healthy lifestyle, especially after the pandemic. Special classes will be held for children and pensioners. The Indian Bazaar with more than 120 shops will feature spices, natural cosmetics, jewelry and souvenirs, tea and even mahogany furniture. In the huge food court area, you can taste spicy dishes from 30 restaurants with cuisine from different parts of India. Also, more than 20 experienced Mehendi masters will apply henna drawings to the guests of the holiday, and the best Indian astrologers will make predictions for any life situation.
The educational part of the program includes Hindi lessons, master classes in cooking Indian dishes, national dance classes, and lectures on Ayurveda – the ancient system of medicine. Fashion shows will introduce guests to the peculiarities of national costumes – guests of the show will be shown dozens of models of modern and traditional saris.
One of the most striking events will be the Ratha Yatra Chariot Festival, during which a procession of dancers and musicians led by a cart filled with flowers and fruits will pass along the main avenue of the park – they will be presented to all festival guests. All 4 days of the festival, Russian and Indian performers will perform on the main stage, including a bewitching show of wandering drummers.
On “India Day” it will even be possible to become participants in a traditional Indian wedding ceremony. The mandatory program includes participation in quests and drawings and receiving prizes.
