On Thursday, Aug. 13, members and visitors to the Vedic Cultural Center in Sammamish took part in the opening of the Festival of India, known as Kumbha Mela.

Kumbha Mela festivities will continue through Sunday.

In India, Khumba Mela is a mass Hindu pilgrimage which occurs four times every twelve years, at different locations around the vast country.

A major event during this pilgrimage is the ritual bath on the banks of the rivers. The next Kumbha Mela in India will take place next spring.

The event this weekend in Sammamish is one of the largest Indian events in the state and will include local artists performaning in concert, plays and interactive displays.

The local event is held to celebrate the birthday of Krishna, a deity worshipped by those of the Hindu faith.

On Thursday and Friday, the birthday of Krishna was celebrated in the traditional style, until midnight both days, with continuous concerts, plays, singing, and dancing with traditional ceremonial decorations.

Volunteers at the Vedic Cultural Center have been preparing for this special event for more than two months.

Last year, about 10,000 people came from all over Washington to celebrate, and observe, Khumba Mela in Sammamish.

Tomorrow, Saturday, the center will celebrate India’s Independence Day and on Sunday, Aug. 16, the Festival of Milk. In the vedic culture cows are treated with respect and cared for as a member of the family.

For more information, go to the center’s web site, www.vedicculturalcenter.org/.