The carrying of the mikoshi (portable shrine) will begin the 103rd anniversary Omatsuri Festival of Izumo Taishakyo Mission of Hawaii tomorrow.

The autumn thanksgiving festival gives thanks for the blessings bestowed during the year on families, businesses and the nation, and expresses hope for the coming year.

Services at 2 p.m. will be followed by a stage program at 3:30 p.m.

Entertainment will include mochimaki, the sharing of mochi with the crowd; nihon buyo, a traditional Japanese performing art of dance and mime, by the Bandoryu Dance Group; a performance by the Ryukyukoku Matsuri Taiko (drum) Class, and karaoke.

A complementary dinner and continuing entertainment will follow.

The mission is at 215 N. Kukui St., across from the Chinese Cultural Center.

For information, call 538-7778.

5-DAY HOLIDAY OF DIWALI MARKED ON BIG ISLAND

See sari fashions and henna body art as the Indian national holiday of Diwali is observed on the Big Island.

The Hindu religious celebration, Diwali, the "Festival of Lights," will be celebrated Wednesday by the Center for Global Education and Exchange of the University of Hawai'i-Hilo.

The five-day Hindu holiday is intended for the "uplifting of spiritual darkness," and celebrates the return of the God, Rama.

Included in the local celebration will be the program, "Take a Journey Through India," at 11 a.m. in the University Classroom Building, room 127, on the Hilo campus. Highlighted will be Indian spices and cuisine, a sari fashion show, Bollywood dance, and henna body art.

At 5:30 p.m., the English-subtitled Bollywood film, "Diwale Dulhania Le Jayenge," will be shown in room 118. The events are free and open to the public.

For information, call, 933-8809.

PRO-LIFE ROSARY RALLY AT HOLY TRINITY CHURCH

A Pro-Life Rosary Rally and crowning of the statue of Mother Mary will be held following the 6 p.m. Mass next Saturday at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Kuli'ou'ou.

Guest speaker will be Sister Mary Jo McEnamy of the Benedictine Monastery.

Planned is a family rosary led by many religious communities.

Attendees are asked to bring a flower for the decoration of the statue.

The Daughters of St. Paul will have religious items from their bookstore for sale. For information, call 396-0551