SUGAR LAND, Texas (Diya TV) — The Shri Sita Ram Foundation hosted its 14th International Diwali-Dussehra Festival at Constellation Field in Sugar Land on Saturday, attracting more than 9,000 attendees. The event has become one of the largest Diwali-Dussehra celebrations in the United States.
Founded in 2012, the Shri Sita Ram Foundation is a nonprofit dedicated to promoting the cultural and social aspects of the Indian community in the U.S. The foundation has hosted the festival annually to celebrate Indian traditions, showcase cultural performances, and foster community engagement.
“I am humbled that we were able to share the message of our ancient and proud civilization not only with the Indian diaspora but also with all other communities in the Greater Houston area,” said Arun Verma, founder of the Shri Sita Ram Foundation. “We showcased our culture, our brotherhood, and moral values.”
Families explored more than 50 vendor booths, cultural exhibits, and activity zones along the ballpark’s wide concourse. The open layout allowed visitors to watch stage performances while strolling. Several non-Indian families joined in the celebration, learning about Hindu traditions in a welcoming environment.
“My favorite part was seeing the satisfaction and smiles on the faces of the people who attended the event,” Verma added.
A major highlight of the festival was the grand parade around Constellation Field. The parade featured 37 floats, live music, and dance performances by local cultural organizations. Parade marshals included Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham and Consul General of India in Houston, DC Manjunath.
“We took Ram and Sita in a pickup truck around the stadium the first time in 2012, and people stood up to clap,” Verma said. “That inspired other organizations to join and create floats, starting the parade tradition.”
The floats represented various aspects of Indian culture, including Vedic education, mythology, and festivals. Volunteers decorated the floats early in the morning. Many children in the audience were inspired to join the parade next year.
The festival also featured messages from dignitaries. A recorded message from Gov. Greg Abbott thanked the Shri Sita Ram Foundation for promoting positive values such as faith, family, and community service. “Diwali is the celebration of the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness. We lit a Diwali lamp in the Governor’s mansion,” Abbott said.
Baba Satyanarayan Maurya, a spiritual leader, artist, and orator, amazed the audience by painting an image of Bajrangbali Hanuman on stage in minutes. He reminded attendees that just as Lord Ram defeated Ravan, people must confront modern challenges like pollution and terrorism.
The Ram Leela play, performed in English, retold the story of Diwali. Prince Ram is sent into exile by his stepmother and journeys into the forest with his wife, Sita, and brother, Lakshman. When Sita is kidnapped by the demon king Ravan, Ram raises an army to rescue her. The play concludes with their victorious return, which Diwali celebrates by lighting thousands of lamps, or “diyas.”
This year’s theme highlighted the Maha Kumbh, an event of spiritual significance. Over 1,000 volunteers and participants brought the performances and parade to life, emphasizing the unity of diverse organizations. The festival ended with a dazzling fireworks display and the traditional burning of Ravan’s effigy. The audience cheered as his head dramatically fell off, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil.
Diwali, known as the “festival of lights,” marks the Hindu New Year. Celebrated by Hindu, Jain, Sikh, and Buddhist communities, the five-day festival begins this year on October 18 and ends on October 23. Dussehra, which comes weeks before Diwali, commemorates the defeat of Ravan, the ten-headed demon king.
The International Diwali-Dussehra Festival has grown into a platform for cultural exchange, education, and community unity. “This festival is not just about celebration,” said Geetha Ravula, an emcee and cultural leader. “It honors the triumph of good over evil and strengthens bonds among communities.” The Shri Sita Ram Foundation continues to expand its outreach, hosting large-scale events that promote Indian culture and values across Texas and the U.S.
