Music, movies, dance and the auspicious arrangement of home furniture are featured in this year’s Cultural and Arts Festival of India at the Victoria Hindu Temple.
A Mosaic of Music, Movies and Dance is this year’s cultural theme for the festival, running today and Sunday, and the temple wants to honour more than 100 years of Indian film.
Suresh Basrur, temple trustee, said the first Indian movie was created in 1913, a black-and-white, silent picture called Raja Harishchandra, in which the heroine was played by a boy. Indian cinema has since exploded into the colossal, colourful art form it is now.
Other elements of this year’s festival are palm readings, astrology sessions and the always popular (and hilarious) lessons in how to wear a sari.
And this year, for the first time, the temple will erect a tent to teach about Vedic architecture. Visitors can ask questions about “Vastu alignment” of the home to maximize the health and fortune of the occupants.
“Without making any extensive renovations to your home, you can incorporate some of these ideas,” Basrur said. “You learn things like which is the best direction to sleep in.”
The Victoria Hindu Temple in Central Saanich dates back to 1995, when Hindu families in the Victoria area banded together to buy the 100-year-old, no-longer-used St. Mary’s Anglican Church.
After repairs and renovations, especially to the kitchen area, the little church has been rejuvenated as a house of worship, prayer and gathering.
Now, about 200 Hindu families, nearly 400 people, count themselves as temple members.
In recent years, a high point of temple life has become the annual cultural festival, where members open their doors to the entire community.
In years past, more than 1,000 people have visited each year to enjoy Indian classical and folk dances, purchase crafts or have their palms dyed with temporary henna designs.
Of course, Indian food is always on sale. Samosas are a big hit to eat on site or to take home.
The Cultural Festival of India is on today and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., at the Victoria Hindu Temple, 1934 Cultra Ave., Saanichton.