Dallas Festival of Lights | Diwali Mela
Wishing your Diwali and life to be abundant with joy, light, and love.
May the divine light of Diwali illuminate your life with joy, peace, and prosperity," is a popular quote that encapsulates the spirit of the festival. Other quotes highlight themes of new beginnings, chasing away darkness, and spreading love and positivity.
Our Why?
Led by Congresswoman Carolyn B Maloney from New York, a bill has been introduced in the House of Representatives to declare Diwali, the festival of lights, a federal holiday. Today we see many countries across the world recognizing and embracing the holiday known as the “Festival of Lights.”
Our recording breaking festival featured on WFAA, FOX NEWS and Dallas Morning News. The celebration includes cultural performances, dance and music performances, cultural food market and vendor market.
This accomplishment is thanks to our team, sponsors and community supporters.
Our Founders
Vijay Moksha Founder, Mystic Mandala
For over two decades, Vijay Moksha has dedicated himself to strengthening community through wellness, culture, and service. As founder of Mystic Mandala in Plano, Texas, he creates welcoming spaces for meditation, learning, and cultural connection.
Guided by the spirit of seva (selfless service), Vijay brings people together through workshops, community gatherings, and festivals that celebrate both tradition and unity. As the visionary behind the Diwali Mela / Dallas Festival of Lights, he has helped shape one of the region’s most vibrant celebrations—an event that shines a light on culture, family, and togetherness.
Vijay’s mission is to build bridges across communities, preserve heritage, and create opportunities for people of all backgrounds to connect, grow, and celebrate.
Ananda Kripa Co-Founder
Over twenty years ago, Ananda Kripa embraced Hinduism and began a lifelong journey of honoring and sharing the traditions of Eastern philosophy. Her dedication lies in advocating for culture, heritage, and practices that bring people closer together in understanding and celebration. With a professional background in public relations and event management, Ananda combines organizational expertise with her passion for community. She has played a key role in shaping cultural programs, festivals, and gatherings that highlight the richness of tradition while remaining inclusive and welcoming to all.
Through her work, Ananda continues to create meaningful spaces where heritage is preserved, voices are celebrated, and communities connect across generations.
Our Community Partners
Celebrating 50+ years of food and culture, Patel Brothers is the nation’s largest Indian grocery chain. With multiple locations across the DFW area, Patel Brothers proudly supports the community by presenting the Diwali Mela and sharing the rich traditions of South Asia.
From authentic spices and fresh produce to snacks, sweets, and cultural essentials, Patel Brothers continues to be a trusted destination for generations. Their commitment goes beyond groceries—fostering community connections and celebrating heritage through events like Diwali Mela.
In 2023, Ethnique Performing Arts achieved a remarkable milestone by securing a Golden Ticket to the finals of the prestigious World of Dance Championship. This achievement placed them among the elite dance teams globally, reflecting their high-caliber training and performance standards.
Ethnique Performing Arts is a Bollywood dance school dedicated to celebrating culture through movement, creativity, and community. With classes designed by industry professionals, Ethnique trains dancers of all ages while producing vibrant stage performances that showcase the energy and artistry of Bollywood.
RAM LEELA PRODUCTION
BY DFW'S BEST!
Key Initiatives by Sewa International DFW:
Disaster Relief– Swift, on-the-ground response to emergencies across Texas and beyond.
Family Services – Providing vital support and resources to families in times of crisis.
LEAD Program – Empowering the next generation through leadership, civic engagement, and structured volunteering.
Sewa Mobile Food Pantry (New!) – Fighting food insecurity by bringing groceries directly to underserved communities.
We’re inspired by their dedication to uplifting lives, empowering youth, and strengthening our communities—one act of service at a time.
Thank you, Sewa DFW, for leading with heart and serving with purpose!
A heartfelt welcome to our incredible friends at Sewa International USA! Rooted in the spirit of selfless service, Sewa International is a leading humanitarian nonprofit with 43 active chapters across the U.S.—and the DFW chapter is a shining example of compassion in action.From disaster relief to youth leadership, their mission is simple yet powerful:
“Together, We Serve Better.”
Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh USA (HSS or HSS USA) is a voluntary, non-profit, educational, culturual and social organization. HSS USA conducts regular values-based education programs for children, youth and adults through more than 250+ chapters nationwide.
Through its education programs based on Dharma, HSS USA instills and promotes discipline, self-confidence, teamwork, and the spirit of selfless service. Through service activities and outreach projects, HSS USA fosters a sense of civic duty, responsibility, and volunteerism.
Key Initiatives by Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh USA (HSS or HSS USA)
Guru Vandana – Honoring our educators, Sewa Diwali – Organizing food donation drives, Universal Oneness Day – Celebrating with first responders, Yogathon – Promoting yoga and wellness, Adopt-a-Street – Keeping our cities clean, Hindu Culture Awareness Programs – With public officials, Temple volunteering – Supporting religious and cultural eventsWe are inspired by their dedication to promoting civic engagement, volunteerism, and the rich heritage of Hindu culture in America.
With a mission rooted in service, cooperation, and civic engagement, Hindus of DFW is making an extraordinary impact across the region.
Let’s celebrate their dedication and join hands in building a stronger, united DFW community!
Hindus of DFW is a united coalition of Hindu faith-based organizations, temples, and community groups in the Dallas–Fort Worth area, working tirelessly to foster unity, preserve culture, and strengthen community representation.
Through their advocacy, they engage with local leaders to ensure the Hindu community’s voice is heard. Through cultural preservation, they celebrate our vibrant traditions, festivals, and values. Through community resources, they connect people to priests , events, services, and educational guidance. Through collaboration, they bring temples, organizations, and groups together as one vibrant family .
Agasthiyar Kalai Mandram (AKM) is a 501 c 3 non profit Hindu Tamil cultural organization serving the Tamil community in Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex since 2024. AKM operates across four key towers
1. Culturals and Festivals - Celebrating festivals and events such as as Pongal, Tamil New Year, Aadi Perukku and Deepawali.
2. Agasthiyar Academy Tamil School and educational initiatives.
3. Tamil literature, arts and drama with monthly literature meets and discussions
4. Community Services - AKM serves the community, provides helpline, organizes meditation sessions, partners with like minded organizations such as Hindus of DFW, HSS, Sewa International and other organizations to serve the community.
AKM also supports traditional folk artists from India, maintains a gardening group, and empowers women through its dedicated women’s group. Since its founding, it has held five major events with thousands of attendees across the metroplex.
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SPS(Samast Patidar Samaj) a community-driven organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the rich cultural, social, and educational values of the Patidar community. Rooted in the legacy of the Samast Patidar Samaj-Surat,India since 2010, we are expanding our reach to the United States to foster unity, tradition, and progress among Patidars worldwide.
Samast Patidar Samaj USA (SPS) is dedicated to uplifting the community through a wide range of service and cultural initiatives. We organize food drives, cleanliness programs, health and wellness seminars, and support those in crisis with care and compassion. Our members regularly host cultural awareness events, volunteer at temples, and collaborate with local officials to promote civic engagement. SPS also celebrates all major festivals with unity and joy, bringing people together while preserving our rich heritage and values.
With a strong foundation in Seva (service), Samaj (community), and Sanskruti (culture), our mission is to connect Patidars, empower the younger generation, and uphold the values that have shaped our identity for centuries.
Vaishnav Milan of Texas is Hindu Faith based, Pushtimargiya vallabhiya Vaishnav organization for last 40 years in Texas and is Non profit, 501(c)3 organization, conducting regular, Satsang, utsav celebrations ,spiritual discourse, senior Milan, weekly yoga, children’s religious classes, Hindu library , weekly fruits and vegetables distribution to our needy community.support cow shelters, Gaushala in India, our services are for any noble cause.
we support, sponsor and collaborate with other local nonprofit charitable organizations for cause .or any cultural events.to preserve our heritage ,irrespective of any race, color, gender or nationality .
we are 100% volunteer driven. our helping hands are always ready to serve.
Vaishnav Jan to tene re kahie je peed parai jane re , par dukhe upkar kare toy man abhiman n aane reFor more information you can visit our siteWww. Vaishnavmilan.org
Our motto is community service, which is - स्नेह, सेवा, समर्पण - Sneh, Seva and Samarpan ,true meaning of Love, Service and Dedication to any living creature on earthand that’s our true identity
Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America is one of the oldest Hindu organizations in America. Established in 1970 in New York, It now has chapters all over USA. It is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization. VHPA is dedicated to preserve, protect, promote hindutva and educate and involve hindu youth in its programs. Some of the programs it runs are 1. Balvihar, 2. Hindu Business Network (HBN) 3. Hindu Heritage Month 4. Hindu Mandir Empowerment Council (HMEC) 5. Hindu Mandir Priests Conference (HMPC) 6. Hindu Vishwa – A print collaboration 7. Hindu Women Network (HWN) 8. Om Hindu Community Center 9. Reflections @ 50 10. Seva in America 11. Sharda Hindu Scholarship, 12. Stop Hindu Dvesha 13. Support a Child 14. Threads 2019
It has recently hosted a Ram Leela show in Dallas, brought from India, to educate and raise funds for Support a Child program. Last month it hosted an all Mandir’s executives and priests conference in Dallas (HMEC) and distributed awards to priests.
To get involved in any of its initiatives, volunteer, or to become member, please visit www.vhpamerica.org or contact Dallas chapter president Mr. Vigyan Gotewal at (214) 566-2171.
Vishnu Vidya Foundation, a non-profit charity organization, founded in 2007, in Texas, assists critically ill or injured patients who can’t afford necessary medical treatment. Their livelihood is broken and family falls into distress let alone suffering and pain. Vishnu Vidya Foundation officers personally visit such patients in government hospitals, interview and assess their conditions and grant appropriate amount of financial aid to patients nearest family member in cash, check, or direct pay their medical bills.
VV Foundation has helped over 500 such patients so far. 109 patients this year (in 2025) alone.
VV Foundation also provides scholarships to meritorious yet economically challenged students in India and USA alike. This year alone it has granted scholarships to 5 students in college. VV Foundation is a zero cost overhead organization has a target to raise US $15,000 this year. It has already distributed over $16,000 (Rs. 14 lacs) this year alone in 2025.
Public and corporate donations are appreciated in any denomination. 100% of these funds go towards medical aid and scholarships. Please zelle payments to vvfoundation@yahoo.com To get involved in any of its initiatives, volunteer, or to become a member, please visit www.fb.me/VVFound or contact Dallas chapter president Mr. Vigyan Gotewal at (214) 566-2171.
