Deepavali Celebrations in the presence of Shri Hari
The festival of Deepavali was celebrated with great fervour in the inspiring presence of Shri Hari and Pujya Bhaishri at Shri Hari Mandir from 13th to 14th November 2012.
The celebrations began on the 12th November on the day of dhanteras with the worship of Maa Lakshmi which included offering 501 lotuses to the divine Goddess.
On the morning of Deepavali, the hoisting of the sacred flags was performed on the spires of the five temples of Shri Hari Mandir. At midday, the divine goddesses: Maa Lakshmi, Maa Saraswati and Maa Kali were worshipped with a ritual commonly known as chopda poojan. Thereafter, at night, the evening aarati was carried out in Shri Hari Mandir followed by the kindling of many lamps in the presence of thousands of devotees. The night was joyously and excitedly ended with the bursting of several colourful fireworks.
On New Year’s Day of the Hindu calendar, 14th November, devotees who had gathered from early morning were blessed with a divine darshan of Annakut (offering of several foods to God). Pujya Bhaishri distributed clothes and prasad to all the devotees present.
On the occasion of Deepavali, Pujya Bhaishri’s message was that instead of criticising darkness, let us light a lamp and get rid of the darkness of sins. With the blessings of Shri Hari let us gain a divine energy of devotion and spread infinite brightness in this world.
