Go fly a kite | Makar Sankranti Celebrations in Houston

Event: Makar Sankranti
Venue: George Bush Park , Houston , Texas
Date: Sunday, Jan 11, 2009

Inspite of a very cold day in Houston nearly 3,000 men, women and children gathered at the park to celebrate Makar Sankranti and fly kites.

The Makar Sankranti and Swami Vivekanandaji’s birth celebration was first started by three or four families from Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America and Hindu Swayam Sevak Sangh in 1989. This annual event has grown steadily in popularity over the years and in mid-1990s Gujarati Samaj of Houston joined to organize the event. By late 1990s and early 2000, it regularly drew between 3,000 to 5,000 people. Hindus of Greater Houston has joined this year.

Consul General Sanjiv Arora attended with his wife Chhaya and son Akash. Arora flew a kite. The event was sponsored by Vishwa Hindu Parishad of American-Houston, Gujarati Samaj of Houston, Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS), Vallabh Priti Seva Samaj (VPSS) and Hindus of Greater Houston.

Khichadi and spicy buttermilk was provided by volunteers of Gujarat Samaj. Masala tea was provided by volunteers of Ekal Vidyalaya-USA.