Month: August 2026

On Saturday, October 17, we will celebrate the Hindu festival of Navaratri from 5:00–7:00 pm at the Hindu Cultural and Educational Center (1960 E. Army Post Rd.)

Navaratri is a nine-night Hindu festival worshipping nine different forms of the Goddess Durga. For our site visit, we will join the Hindu Cultural and Educational Center for a bhajan, including songs and dances for different Hindu deities. The bhajan will conclude with aarti (offering of flame to the gods) and prashad (meal of blessed foods).

Visitors should dress modestly, remove shoes at the door, and avoid pointing outstretched legs at holy objects or people.

This event is part of the “Meet My Religious Neighbor” series, which is co-programmed with CultureALL, the Des Moines Area Religious Council, and Interfaith Alliance of Iowa.

On Sunday, October 25, we will celebrate the annual holiday of Boun Ok Phansa at 10:00 am with the Lao Buddhist temple, Wat Lao Buddhavath (1804 E Park Ave).

Boun Ok Phansa celebrates the end of the three-month rain retreat (Vassa), during which time Theravada Buddhist monks traditionally remained indoors at a single location (during the monsoon season) to devote themselves to study and meditation.

The event will include chanting, prayers, and an offering of food to the monks (tak bat). More details to follow.

Visitors should dress modestly, remove shoes at the door, and avoid pointing outstretched legs at holy objects or people.

This event is part of the “Meet My Religious Neighbor” series, which is co-programmed with CultureALL, the Des Moines Area Religious Council, and Interfaith Alliance of Iowa.