Continuing a Way of Life

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Continuing a Way of Life

• Aditi Shah

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Being Indian (South Asian) in America

• To retain background and culture
• To embrace their roots
• Build an identity that includes their heritage
• Done in various ways

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Temples

• Crucial aspect of Hinduism
• Most commonly followed religion
• Today, the Hindu gods and their powerful places
  of worship in India have been transposed to the
  West (Eck 77)
• Built in many cities across the nation

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Kashi Vishvanatha Temple Flint, Michigan
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Vraj

• Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania
• re-creation of lord Krishnas mythological
  homeland

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Shree Swaminarayan Mandir (BAPS)

• Bartlett, Illinois

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Inside (BAPS)
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Inside (BAPS)
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Holidays and Festivals

• Coincide with religion
• Gather mainly in temples for celebration
• Honor tradition
• Navratri, Diwali, Bestu Varas, and Holi
• The major ones

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Navratri

• Nine Nights
• honors the Mother Goddess, Durga
• Dance in celebration

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Diwali

• Festival of lights
• Earthen lamps
• fireworks

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Holi

• Spring holiday

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Dance

• Regional
• Bhangra (Punjabi)
• Garba-Raas (Navratri)
• Classical
• Bharat Natyam
• Kathakali

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Bhangra
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Garba-Raas
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Bharat Natyam