PAST EVENTS
Celebrating Children's Day, IUAC and the community will be presenting donations to the Foundation 33 Suenos, which supports children from the poorest areas of Bogota by providing education, activities, clothing, food and clean water. The foundation is run by volunteers who have grown up in those communities, understanding the hardships faced by the children of these areas. IUAC, with the support of the community will be distributing donations for these children and spending the day with them to give the children the love and affection they deserve.
Although an Indian festival representing the victory of good over evil, Holi is now celebrated not only in India but across the globe. A festival full of colour, laughter and joy. Enjoy this festival with family, friends and the wider community.
IUAC and Embassy of India invite the community to join in the festive season and participate in the Christmas celebration taking place on 16th December. Lots of fun filled activities for families and a visit by a special someone!
Guru Nanak Jayanti this year falls on Monday 27 November and will be celebrated in Bogota with Shri Sukhmani Sahib Path taking place on Sunday 26 November. Guru Nanak Dev ji, founder of Sikhism, taught righteousness, compassion and equality to his Sikhs. He established many modern day fundamental values and reinforced the importance of three basic principles: Naam Japna (recitation of God's name); Kirat karni (earning an honest living); Vand ke shakna (sharing with others)
Diwali known as Deepawali or the festival of lights or row of lights is one of the most important festivals in Indian religion. It symbolises spiritual victory of light over darkness,good over evil and knowledge over ignorance. Diwali is connected to various religious mythological events. The day celebrated Lord Rama's return to his kingdom Ayodhya with his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana after defeating the demon Ravana during his 14 years of exile. During the festival,Indians illuminate their homes temples and workspaces with diyas(oil lamps),candles and lanterns.It is also marked with bursting fireworks,decoration with rangoli(flowers or coloured powder) and with other decorative pieces.Food is a major highlight with families partaking in feasts and sharing delicacies.Diwali is celebrated twenty days after Vijayadashami festival with Dhanteras. The second day is Naraka Chaturdashi and the third day is the day of Lakshmi puja which is the darkest night of the traditional month and hence homes aglow with lights thereby making it the "festival of lights". Diwali celebrations include puja of Lakshmi and Ganesha and lay offerings of puffed rice, candy toys,rice cakes and batashas (sugar cakes). On the night of Diwali,rituals across much of India are dedicated to Lakshmi, Goddess of wealth and prosperity to welcome her into their cleaned homes and bring prosperity and happiness for the coming year.Family members unite to light up firecrackers which is considered to be a way to ward off all evil spirit and add to the festive mood. During Diwali,numerous rural townships and villages host melas or fairs where local producers and artisans trade produce and goods. The families in particular adorn themselves in colourful traditional Indian attires. In some places, Diwali Fairs are held that include a variety of music,dance, arts performances,food,crafts and cultural celebrations. Diwali, the Festival of lights, is celebrated with grand vigor not only in India but also in various countries around the world The Indian diaspora in countries Ike the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia comes together to celebrate Diwali with grand cultural events, colorful decorations, and traditional rituals.
IUAC INVITES YOU TO A HALLOWEEN PARTY FOR KIDS - 29 OCT (FROM 1-4PM)
Durga Pooja is one of the main festival in India particularly for eastern part of India. The unification of Goddess Durga ties all Indians in a cohesive bond across the planet. It is jointly celebrated with Navaratras which is most popular in the Northern and Western part of India. Durga pooja’s essence is to commemorate the victory of good over evil and divine feminist. It begins with the welcome of Goddess as Mahalaya and ends with Vijaya Dashami. To fight off the demon king, Mahishashura, all gods came together to worship Adi Shakti and what emerged out was Goddess Durga who killed the demon on the 10th day of fight. Durga Puja is celebrated with much pomp among all Bengalis from Indian community across the globe. ”Daandiya” is a very popular dance form that is observed during these nine days of celebration, where men and women dance with colorful sticks on music beats that is said to be a recreation of battle between the Devi and demon. Colombia is primarily a Catholic country however, Colombia has embraced Durga Puja as their own festival and equally love and respect our Indian tradition and customs. They perform and participate with us with the same enthusiasm in all the cultural activities that takes place during the time. Durga pooja is a festival that brings people together. Durga pooja is organized every year to celebrate one out of many Indian Culture in Colombia. Durga Pooja celebration in Bogota, Colombia had started in 2015 and this will be the 9th year of the celebration in Bogota. The event runs purely on donations and different people serve voluntarily. During the pandemic, we organized Durga pooja on a smaller scale. The Indian Community at Bogota served more than 400 lunches to express our gratitude to the first-line Doctors, nurses, and medical staff for their tireless efforts to fight against Covid 19. We also donated to the Mission of Charity. In 2019, Durga Pooja, Bogota got 10th position among Durga Pooja held worldwide. Durga Pooja 2023 was organized on a magnificent scale with various activities including both Colombian and Indian cultural performances being a major attraction. Government officials from both countries had been invited to grace this auspicious occasion. Please visit the page for more information. https://www.facebook.com/BogotaDurgaPuja