When Chairman of the Festival of India Arun Agarwal got married, 1,300 guests attended.
In India, it’s not uncommon to have that many people in attendance; weddings in India are grand occasions, usually days-long and elaborate with colors and high-energy entertainment, Sangeeta Mahta, co-chair of the festival, said.
“At the end of it, people are just done; it’s like they need a vacation to overcome the time,” she said.
A lot of planning and thought goes into an Indian wedding as well.
“It’s really about bringing the extended family and community together,” President of the Hindu Temple of Toledo Atul Agnihorti said. “It’s not considered as just a relationship between a man and a woman, it’s considered to be an integral part of how society grows.”
The Festival of India, like an Indian wedding, will be on a grander scale this year. To celebrate its 25th anniversary, the Festival of India has the theme “My Big Fat Indian Wedding.” Guests will be greeted to plenty of color, music, food and dancing.
Agnihorti said the festival will include close to 100 performers, all volunteers.
One of the main events during the festival is the stage show, which will show a couple reminiscing from the early days to the later years of their lives. The stories will be told through songs and dances in Bollywood style. This show is choreographed by Mahta.
“It’s absolutely impossible to capture every single event [of an Indian wedding], so we kind of capture the major events that are apart of most of the weddings,” Mahta said. “We are going to depict that with the dance and the significance of what’s going on and why it is done … it’s not learning or teaching; it’s more of an exposure and entertainment.”
Mahta used to teach dance classes and is excited for people to learn moves at the festival.
Other entertainment will include an Indian drummer, a face painting booth for kids and plenty Indian street food that are delicacies from different parts of India.
The food is Agarwal’s favorite part of the festival. It’s something he looks forward to when he returns to India for business as well.
“I am a foodie so I go to eat,” he said.
Some foods that will be featured include: an Indian vegetarian burger which includes a potato patty in between two Indian-style breads with Indian chutneys and Indian-style chex mix, Bombay Style Mega Sandwiches, Pav Bhaji (an Indian-style Sloppy Joe) and more.
“We are going to give everybody and experience of India but with a touch of American,” Agarwal said. “We try to keep it less spicy so that people who don’t like spice will still enjoy.”
Usually the favorite dish is Paani Poori, a Tamarind juice with puffed round chips.
The Temple of Toledo is an Ohio landmark, Agnihorti said.
“Temple today is not just a place of worship. It is a place where Toledo connects with a part of the world,” Agnihorti said.
The 25th anniversary of the festival coincides with the expansion of the Temple of Toledo, which is currently under those renovations. The temple is usually the venue for the festivals but, because they are expecting a bigger celebration, this year’s festivities will be from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Aug. 10 at the Centennial Terrace & Quarry, 5773 Centennial Road. This is a free event and it’s open to the public.
“You have to spend nothing to come and experience an Indian wedding,” Agnihorti said.
Agnihorti, who is from North India, said his heritage means a lot to him and sharing it with Toledo is important.
“It’s a five to seven thousand-year-old culture so it rubs on you pretty well and it gives you a lot of pride,” he said. “Amongst all the conflicts that happen in the world, a pleasant way to interact is always a good way to interact.”
