Sharad Purnima Garba Event

Monday, 26 October 2015 12:15

The Gujarati community of Woodstock, London and St. Thomas came together for a huge celebration Sharad Purnima.

WOODSTOCK - Almost 400 people attended the Sharad Purnima Garba event hosted by the Gujarati culture of St. Thomas.

The Gujarati community of Woodstock helped with the event and many people from Oxford were in St. Thomas to celebrate the official day of his birth. Local dignitaries were in attendance for the event including MP Karen Vecchio, MPP Jeff Yurek along with Oxford MP Dave MacKenzie and MPP Ernie Hardeman. One of the organizers Bob Pate tells Heart FM why they celebrate Sharad Purnami.

" The ‘Sharad’ in Sharad Purnima signifies the ‘Sharad ritu’ (season) of the year. Basically a harvest festival, it also has religious significance. It is believed that whoever worships Goddess Lakshmi on this night and observes a fast is blessed even if Lakshmi Yoga does not exist in his/her horoscope. Another belief is that Goddess Lakshmi was born on Sharad Purnima. Anyone observing this fast avoids solid foods. Upon completion of the fast, he/she must first taste a mixture of cold milk and rice flakes. The practice of drinking cold milk during this fast has its origins in science. Sharad ritu brings in very hot days and cool nights. During such weather, ‘pitta’ or acidity becomes predominant in our body. Consumption of milk & rice flakes is a good remedy for ‘pitta’."

Pate says the group also does a lot of work in the community including donating blood to the Canadian Blood Services.

"We are donating our blood to the Canadian Blood Services, we do the community services, community hours, and also now we are going to be a partner with the immigration of Canada. We support all the students at present time with the partnership with immigration Canada to file their paperwork and get their visas and citizenship smoothly to this great country. We are setting up an example to all communities if we all work together or inside in your community we all stay to together then we can built a strong community with great unity."