premier cultural events
OTA celebrates two grand cultural events with up to four hours of programs by our members in an auditorium that is followed by awards and ethnic dinner. The programming in the event is dominated by Children with their power packed performances in traditional dance, drama, vocals and various arts. We encourage our members and their children to learn and perform various classical and modern art forms
Regional political leaders grace their presence without fail while local businesses showcase their products and services by sponsoring part of the event cost. These events are generally attended by about 500 – 700 people.
'ugadi' festival event
Marking the arrival of spring when seeds sprout from soil and flowers bud on trees, Ugadi (Yugadi) in March - April every year is our New Year celebrated on the first day of Chaitra month as per Hindu lunar calendar. This Telugu tradition dates back to 57 BCE in recorded history during the rule of great king Vikramaditya.
This is an auspicious festival for Hindus across several countries in Asia and is a New Year for many of them.
'deepavali' festival event
The festival of lights which literally means a garland of lamps symbolizes the spiritual victory of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance. Deepavali lightens up homes and hearts in fall when the days start darkening faster. Fresh yields of summer crop is offered in prayers and shared with friends, family and the needy.
This Hindu tradition of worshipping the Goddess of wealth (Mahalakshmi) for prosperity in the forms of money, grain, cattle, offspring, courage, victory and knowledge has a recorded evidence from at least 537 BCE.
festival programs
OTA organizes and participates in festival programs at the Ottawa-Carleton Hindu Temple. Festivals where OTA primarily organizes elaborate rituals and food service are very popular in our community and draws a large number of Telugu families to the programs. Some such festivals are
- Makara Sankranthi
- Vinayaka Chaviti
- Bathukamma
In addition, some other festival rituals organized by the temple that are popular among our community are
- Mahasivaratri
- Saraswati Pooja
