Indian community stage environmental festival in County Kildare town

The BJAI (Bihar Jharkhand Association of Ireland ) Indian community is hosting Chhath Puja Festival in Naas Racecourse, on Thursday-Friday November 7-8. Bihar Jharkhand refers to parts of eastern India.

The festival is, say the organisers, one of the oldest and probably the only environmentally friendly festival celebrated in the world. Chhath Puja festival is celebrated to thank God for supporting life on earth and seek blessings from the divine sun to protect entire living beings. This festival reminds the participants that protecting the environment is vital for safeguarding biodiversity, ensuring human health, combating climate change, supporting economic stability, and fulfilling our ethical duties. 

Environmental stewardship helps create a sustainable world where both nature and humans can thrive.

The BJAI is a social group and we have been organising various events and festivals in County Kildare since 2018. 

There are more than 350 families involved in the organisation and it is continuously growing. All the  events are open to all communities and one of its main aims is to promote integration.

BJAI president Dr Deepak Kumar said: “We encourage everyone in the community to attend the festival, meet each other and make friends. We showcase our own culture to each other and above all celebrate life. We have a strong belief that good integration will lead to a peaceful society.”

The group has hired the venue to make the event accessible.

It will be a socio- cultural extravaganza with adults and children from the local community participating in dance, music, songs and Indian cuisine will  be available. This will be a half daylong event and we are expecting a huge crowd. For all the expenses, we rely solely on volunteer contribution, sponsorship and support from local councillors. 

It started at 4pm today and takes place again at 6am before sunrise tomorrow (Nov 8).