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SARASHI, the South Asia Religion Art Science and Humanism Institution, and the Foundation of Light will jointly celebrate Sharadotsav 2025 with the Finger Lakes, Southern Tier and Central New York community on Oct 4-5 at the Foundation of Light in Ithaca, NY.Sharodotsav (Autumn Festival) is one of the most popular festivals in South Asia that celebrates the rites of the Fall season through the worship of Mother Goddess Durga who symbolizes the power behind life and creation, the source of all blessings and bounties that sustain life on earth and the force that enables good to prevail over evil. Festivities marking this event in South Asia are often spectacular and involve scripture recitations, high voltage performance arts, revelry, gift-giving, family homecomings, feasting, and public processions. The New York Times has described it as "a Hindu Mardi Gras", and UNESCO has listed it as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The South Asian diaspora has taken celebration of Sharadotsav to different parts of the globe in recent decades. It will be celebrated for the second time here as a community event in Ithaca with puja (worship), a variety of cultural performances, and delicious meals.
THIS EVENT IS OPEN TO EVERYONE! WE ENCOURAGE PEOPLE FROM ALL CULTURES AND BACKGROUNDS TO ATTEND FOR A CROSS-CULTURAL AND INCLUSIVE EXPERIENCE.
Cost: Admission is FREE for puja (worship), prasad & bhog (blessed food from worship) and for all cultural programs. Please pre-register for this event, if possible, to help our planning. Click here and scroll to the bottom of the page to register for free (or add in some meal tickets!). This is a "HOP IN & HOP OUT" event, so you can come as go as you please.
We depend on the generosity of donors and your voluntary donations of any size are greatly appreciated to support this as an inclusive and free event. Click here to donate to the festival. Your donations are made via SARASHI, our co-host and a tax-exempt 501c3 non-profit organization. Tax receipts will be provided for every donation.
Sponsorship: We are looking for additional sponsors for this event. There are multiple sponsorship tiers, ranging from $175 to $2500, with various promotional benefits. We offer deep gratitude to all the event sponsors! Click here for the Sponsorship Form.
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Ticketed Meals: Click here for Meal Tickets - Saturday dinner and Sunday lunch
The SHARADOTSAV 2025 Special Dinner on October 4 and Special Lunch on October 5 have ticketed admission. Early Bird discounted ticket prices are available ONLY till September 8. After that general pricing will be in place. No tickets are needed for children below 9 years of age.
Saturday, Oct 4, Special Dinner Ticket:
Individual (Veg Option) $33; Individual (Non Veg Option) $39; Family (max 4 people) $125; Student $27
Sunday, Oct 5, Special Lunch Ticket:
Individual (Veg Option) $22; Individual (Non Veg Option) $28; Family (max 4 people) $80 ; Student $20
Maniltha's Dosa Cart - This delicious food truck from Syracuse will be here all day on Sunday, with a variety of options for quick snacks and larger meals.
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Schedule:
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4
8:00am to 1:00pm - Puja (worship) with several different ceremonies (details below)
1:00 to 2:30pm - Prasad & Bhog Lunch (blessed food from worship)
3:30 to 5:30pm - Dhak and Dhunuchi Nach (traditional drum & dance ceremony), Sandhi Puja (Goddess Durga at her fiercest!), Arati (incense offering)
6:00 to 8:00pm - Cultural Programs with children's play, dances, music & singing
8:00pm onwards - Catered Dinner (advance registration required)
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5
8:00am to 12:00pm - Puja (worship) with several different ceremonies
12:00 to 1:00pm - Catered Lunch (advance registration required)
1:30 to 3:00pm - Cultural Programs: Celebrations with South Asian folk and classical dances and music (details below)
3:00 to 5:30pm - World Music & Dance: Beats for peace and prosperity as South Asia meets the world in music and dance. In this interactive session attendees will learn about rhythms from around the world, with opportunities for hands-on (and feet-on) participation! Includes Afro-Cuban rhythms with Adolfo Castillo and Lisbet Lopez, Middle Eastern rhythms with Don Baragiano, and more TBA.
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
391 Turkey Hill Rd., Ithaca, NY, United States, New York 14850
Tickets
