Special Shout-out to Media Sponsor of Holi 2024

The Bedford Citizen informs and engages the Bedford, MA, community through reporting news of local significance, promoting local events, fostering connectivity, and encouraging participation.”

Bedford South Asian Association Invites Residents to Celebrate Diwali

Oct 11, 2024

The Bedford South Asian Association (SAAB) invites the Bedford community to celebrate Diwali, the Festival of Lights. This year’s event will be held from 5 to 10 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 10 at the Sons of Italy at 520 Pleasant St. in Watertown. Building on the annual tradition of Diwali, this event features dazzling performances by more than 80 Bedford school students.

A Celebration of Light and Heritage

Diwali, a vibrant festival celebrated across South Asia, symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. SAAB’s mission is to foster cultural understanding, especially among the children growing up in Bedford.

The annual Diwali celebration is a cherished tradition that enables young people to connect with their heritage while sharing it with the wider community.

The annual Diwali celebration is a cherished tradition that enables young people to connect with their heritage while sharing it with the wider community.

Read more

Celebrating Diwali in Bedford: A Festival of Lights and Vibrant Rangoli Art

November 6, 2024

Diwali, the festival of lights, was celebrated this year on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 around the world and here in Bedford. The South Asian families in Bedford celebrated Diwali by lighting diyas, candles, and string lights, decorating their homes, preparing festive food, and offering prayers.

One of the traditions of Diwali is to create patterns on the floor using colored sand or powder, known as Rangoli.

Read more

Revelers Celebrate Holi Festival with Dazzling Colors

May 8, 2024

Sunday afternoon on Field E between the library and Town Center felt more like early November than early May: low clouds, a chilly breeze, and occasional sprinkles.

And something else… Mist – Red, yellow, green, blue, pink, orange, and purple mist, exploding skyward, drifting in shapeless forms filling the space with dazzling colors.

What else would you expect at the second annual celebration of the Hindu festival of Holi, presented by the South Asian Association of Bedford (SAAB)?

More than 300 people of all ages flung, plastered, or sprinkled colored powders on each other for a couple of hours on the field in what is often described as an exercise in pure joy.

Read more

Celebrating Diversity: SAAB’s Journey to Unite and Illuminate Bedford with South Asian Culture

April 16, 2024

In recent years, Bedford and its residents have increasingly embraced a vibrant cultural tapestry, integrating diverse communities to strengthen and further unify the town. Among these, the South Asian community has made significant contributions with the South Asian Association of Bedford (SAAB) at the forefront of introducing South Asian culture to the area.

Read more

Bedford South Asians Citizens celebrate Diwali with a Grand Celebration

November 14, 2023

Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a significant Hindu festival celebrated globally. It symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. During Diwali, families illuminate their homes with lamps, exchange gifts, and participate in various religious and cultural activities to mark the joyous occasion.

Bedford is not new to this festival and has celebrated it grandly for the past several years.

Read more

Reflections on Diwali by a BPS Parent

November 10, 2023

Every year around October and November, Hindus around the world celebrate Diwali, or Deepavali — the Festival of Lights, the origins of which stretches back more than 2,500 years.

The name is derived from the Sanskrit term “dipavali” that means “row of lights.” In 2023, Diwali occurs on Sunday, Nov. 12. This five-day celebration traditionally marks the biggest holiday of the year for Hindus, during which homes are cleaned and decorated with small clay lamps (diyas).

Read more

Hundreds Celebrate Festival with a Spectacle of Color and Delight

May 9, 2023

Mehul Shah, who is a member of the South Asian Association of Bedford, wanted everyone to appreciate the spirit of the traditional celebration of Holi as it unfolded on the softball outfield next to Town Center under brilliant skies on Sunday afternoon.

“As we indulge in the playful madness of Holi, let’s also take a moment to understand the significance of this festival,” he declared. “Holi is not just about colors, but also about the spirit of love, forgiveness, and harmony,” he declared, adding, “It’s messy, chaotic — and absolutely delightful.”

Read more

Kadak Chai Rocks Bedford Holi Celebration

May 25, 2023

The South Asian Association of Bedford hosted their annual Holi Celebration on May 7th, 2023, and it was a joyous and colorful affair. Attendees were treated to a spectacle of color and delight, with live music, dance, and delicious food.

One of the highlights of the event was the performance by Kadak Chai, a Boston-based band that specializes in blending traditional Indian music with modern rock and pop influences.

Read more

Get Ready to Paint the Town Red: The Vibrant and Joyful Festival of Holi

April 3, 2023

The Bedford Desi Group invites all communities to Bedford’s 1st Annual Holi Festival! The celebration will take place on Sunday, April 30th at E Field from 2-4 PM (rain date May 7). [Please note, this event will be occurring on the rain date, May 7, 2-4pm.]

Holi, also known as the festival of colors, is an ancient Hindu tradition. It marks the end of winter and the start of a new season, and new beginnings. It also signifies the triumph of good over evil, and love for family and friends.

Read more

Media Partners.

For media inquiries or if you're interested in covering any of our vibrant events, we warmly invite you to get in touch with us. Our community's celebrations are a tapestry of rich traditions and modern vibrancy, and we'd love to share these moments with a wider audience.