Curry Fest
Sahaja Yoga music group, Curry Fest 2014
On the weekend of 25-27 April 2014, a large contingent of Queensland Sahaja Yogis travelled to Woolgoolga, NSW for the 9th annual “Curry Fest”.
Woolgoolga has a large population of Indians of mainly Sikh origin, and the Sikh Temple is clearly visible when driving through.
On Saturday morning, our music group performed a number of musical items, beginning at 9.30 am. Although we were early for our stage spot, the “roadies” were in hyper mode, sorting out all the cables, microphones and speakers.
Eventually our “sound check” became our first number, “Jai Gana Raya”. Onlookers, finally aware of our presence, started to approach the stage. This was followed by “Namami”, “Mahamaya” and “Jogawa”, with a good response from the growing crowd.
Sahaja Yoga stall, Curry Fest 2014
Then the musical performance was over, and we headed to the Sahaja Yoga stall. We had a lovely spot overlooking the beach, away from the noise of the main stage. About sixty people got their Self-realisation, and many more took brochures and information about Sunday’s follow-up program, which was booked in a local hall.
People who came to the stall on Saturday at the Festival came to the follow-up program on Sunday to receive more information and to experience the meditation again. The people who attended enjoyed the meditation and a talk by Shri Mataji (the founder of Sahaja Yoga). Overall, it was a very gentle and loving program, with every hope that people will continue at the local program in Coffs Harbour and at a possible new program in Woolgoolga.
A large contingent of Sahaja yogis, including many yuvas (young people), returned to Woolgoolga (6 hours drive north of Sydney) in buses for the annual Curry Festival. The weather forecasts had predicted heavy rain, and even storms, for the day of the event, but we all gave bandhans and Shri Mataji created a little bubble of sunshine over the seaside town in the wet weather that seemed to cover most of the coast of New South Wales. (It’s interesting to note that since Shri Mataji visited Australia last year, and it was brought to Her Divine Attention that there was a serious drought problem in the country, it has since rained an incredible amount.) It was really a perfect day, just a tiny brief sprinkle of rain, which felt like a spray of holy water, as a local Aboriginal elder opened the event.
Two of the yuva boys started things off with a rousing drum performance and later in the day the crowd was entertained by Freya and Neesha’s classical Indian dance, Music of Joy and Jhoom Kawali. The local Bangra dancers were also marvellous. In addition to the weather miracle, at the last minute the organisers of the Festival moved the Realisation tent from a very peripheral position to a location where the crowd congregated. They also gave us a tent much larger than planned.
As at other events, the yoginis offered face painting for children, and mehndi hand decoration, which attracted people to the tent. I noticed one lady looking very intently at the yogis giving realisation, and I asked her if she would like to try it. At first she made an excuse that she had to go and get lunch. Then I felt a blast of the Cool Breeze and the lady suddenly changed her mind, coming in for her Realisation and having a very powerful experience.
Last year, members of the local Sikh population, which makes up a large proportion of the population, were reluctant to try, but this time a few Sikh ladies came in and got their realisation.
Graham Brown
(Photograph: curryfest.com.au)
You are invited to the Woolgoolga Curry Fest, to be held at Woolgoolga in northern New South Wales on Saturday 19 April 2008. As in previous years, there will be a Sahaja Yoga stall at the festival.
It is planned to present Sahaja Yoga music in two one-hour time slots. The music will include devotional music with an international flavour, traditional Qawwali music and drum music. There will also be Indian traditional dancing. There will be a meditation tent in which meditation sessions will be held for people who want the experience of thoughtless awareness and realisation.
The main music organiser was very impressed last year with the Sahaja yogis’ performances and gracious nature, and so is insisting that Sahaja Yoga play a big part in this year’s festival.
The Sahaja Yoga stall will be on the grass next to the beach. From here, the Fest will spread out along the road to the grassy area around the pool.