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The Association of Indians of Sun Prairie (AISP) hosted its annual Janmashtami & Dahi Handi Celebration on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at the Sun Prairie West High School Performing Arts Center. The celebration brought together approximately 500 community members and families from Sun Prairie and surrounding communities for an afternoon and evening of cultural performances, family activities, food, and celebration of Indian traditions.
The event began with a drawing competition featuring participants across multiple age groups, followed bya diverse lineup of cultural performances featuring dance, singing, instrumental music, and more. The celebration also included an adult fancy dress competition, a kids fancy dress competition, a traditional Indian dinner, and the Dahi Handi auction.
Drawing Competition Winners
The drawing competition recognized talented artists across five age groups:
| Age Group | Winner |
|---|---|
| 3–5 years | Anayra Gupta |
| 6–8 years | Anwita Choudhury |
| 9–12 years | Debashreeta |
| 13–17 years | Sanjana Kamat |
| 18+ years | Sudhanshu Chawhan |
Kids Fancy Dress Competition
The kids fancy dress competition showcased young participants dressed as inspiring figures and cultural icons. The winners were:
| Position | Winner | Character Name |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Place | Hridhaan Singh | Bhagat Singh |
| 2nd Place | Arshi Jain | Kalpana Chawla |
| 3rd Place | Sri Uma | Swami Vivekanand |
Adult Fancy Dress Competition
The adult fancy dress competition celebrated India’s rich regional diversity. Ajay Chauhan and Priyanka Chauhan were named the winners for their representation of the state of Maharashtra.
Dahi Handi Auction
A highlight of the celebration was the Dahi Handi auction, which was won by Easwaran Subramanian Thirthala with a winning bid of $520. All proceeds from the auction will be donated to the Sun Prairie Police Department, supporting AISP’s continued commitment to giving back to the local community.
The celebration provided an opportunity for people of all ages to come together and experience the richness and diversity of Indian culture. Through cultural performances, competitions, children’s activities, traditional food, and community participation, the event reflected AISP’s mission of preserving Indian heritage while fostering meaningful connections among families and community members.
The Association of Indians of Sun Prairie extends its sincere appreciation to all performers, volunteers, sponsors, participants, families, and community members whose contributions helped make the celebration a success.
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