The Barrie Hindu Group will be hoping to get eyes on their religion and culture with an event filled with dance, food and celebration.
The second Annual Mata Ki Chowki (Hindu Religious Event) taking place in Barrie on July 22 at the Southshore Centre and marks what the group calls a momentous occasion.
Sankalp Gupta is a volunteer with the event and said he is excited to see the community come together.
“For this occasion, we honour a deity, a Goddess, and do so by singing songs, dancing and performing as the kids get involved as well,” said Gupta. “We have a capacity limit at the Southshore Centre to be mindful of, but throughout the day as people come and go, we believe we’ll see about 300 people.”
Gupta said that after last year’s event, the organizers were inundated with questions about the next time an event like this would take place in Barrie.
“I think we are seeing a larger Hindu community than ever before in Barrie,” said Gupta. “My wife and I used to organize monthly meetings where the community could meet up, because we don’t have a temple here. It is something we would love to one day have but until then, we will find ways to meet.”
When he came to Barrie seven years ago, Gupta said there were less than 500 Hindus in the city. Now, he estimates there are over 3,000.
“An event like this in the city and seeing so many people come out really means a lot to us. It lets us know that we are part of the city, too,” said Gupta.
The event runs from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and attendance is by RSVP only, to control numbers.
Those looking for more information can check out the Barrie Kirtan Group at this link.
