Our Bureau
South Brunswick, NJ
The Indo-American Cultural Foundation of Central Jersey (IACFNJ) is hosting its Grand Navratri Garba celebration on October 4 and 5, 2024, from 8:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. at South Brunswick High School, 750 Ridge Road, Monmouth Junction, New Jersey. This annual event marks the festival of Navratri, where Hindu devotees worship Goddess Durga, Lakshmi, and Saraswati, representing the destruction of evil, the implanting of divine qualities, and the bestowing of knowledge, respectively. The tenth day, Vijay Dashami, symbolizes the victory of good over evil.
This year’s Garba will feature live music by renowned singers Mahesh Mehta and the Entertainment Unlimited band. The event, now in its 20th year, is expected to attract around 2,000 attendees each day. The celebration will take place in a secure environment, with participation from students, families, and members of the diverse local community, which includes South Asians from nearby towns such as South & North Brunswick, Franklin Park, Somerset, Monroe, Princeton and more.
Attendees of all ages will enjoy the high-energy Garba dance in a festive atmosphere. A special feature of the event is the participation of high school students from various cultural backgrounds, a rare sight at Garba celebrations in the U.S. Aarti and prayers will be performed daily, and prasad will be offered to all attendees. The center stage will be decorated with a statue of Goddess Amba Maa in a traditional temple setting, recreating the divine atmosphere of Navratri celebrations in India.
Food stalls by Honest Restaurant and ICE Gola Express, along with local vendors selling clothing, jewelry, and traditional items, will add to the festive ambiance. Local businesses, community leaders, and public officials will also be present to support IACFNJ’s efforts in preserving Indian culture in New Jersey.
The event is organized by IACFNJ’s executive committee, trustees, & committee members & dedicated volunteers who have been united for the past 20 years to keep Indian culture, heritage and traditions alive in New Jersey by organizing cultural and educational activities throughout the year. For more details, visit its website.
