Mangal Mandir Bal-Gokulam and Durga BalGokul instituted by Vishwa Hindu Parishad celebrated their Annual Day on the 13th March 2010 at Eleanor Roosevelt High School Green Belt, Maryland. This volunteer run organization put in tremendous effort towards teaching little kids the Knowledge about Hinduism, Santana Dharma , Hindu Culture etc.,

The flood of rain did not stop the participants and the parents to enthusiastically participate in the event. Approximately 535 people attended the program. Kids of all ages participated with intense excitement and adults did the same as well. The program consisted of 20 programs and each and every one of them reflected the Hindu culture and tradition.

The event started with a "Mangalam Ganesh" bhajan in glorification of Lord Ganesh by young childrens age 8 to 10 years. The festival of color (Holi) was the main focus for this event and little kids ages 5 to 8 year olds form Durga BalGokul performed "Holi Khele Raghuveera" and demonstrated their culture of celebrations. Some of the concepts also included but not limited to Bhajans, Holi dance, Garba, Bhangra, Bharatnatyam, Kathak and folk dance, skits etc.

The kids did a phenomenal job. There was tremendous work behind every performance. Achythum Keshavam, a celebration was recited as Bhajan and a dance by performers from both institutes. This song/dance explains the grace and blessings that one can get from praying to Lord Vishnu who takes many forms and shares his love with anyone who prays to him wholeheartedly. "Mahabali Hanuman" was performed by about thirty 8 to 10 year olds from Mangal Mandir BalGokul. It was a dance-musical celebrating the strength, wisdom and character of HanumanJi. This was the most popular item and was requested by audience to perform again and the kids yet again did a wonderful job.

Parents exceeded everybody's expectation and set a great example for the kids by performing items to enlighten the celebration. Holi is a festival that celebrates the triumph of good over bad. This is generally celebrated towards the end of February or the beginning of March, on the 1st full moon day of the lunar month called Falgun. The main ritual of the festival is the burning of the Holi bonfire, or Holika, attributed by some to the burning of demonesses like Holika, who represent evil. The colorful festival bridges the social gap and renews relationships gone sour. On this day, people forget their animosity and old grudges and play with colors (gulal) by rubbing these on the faces of one another. This cultural and tradition event ended with a prayer that filled everyone's hearts with tears of Joy.

This will remain as one of the most eventful day in all our lives. We appreciate each and every Hindu that were part of this event After the program, a tired but happy parent chasing a 6 year old said, "It used to be difficult to get them out of the house on Sunday mornings. Now, it is difficult to herd them back in the home....they just don't want to leave!"