IndiaPost.com - Holi-Shivratri at Gayatri Shaktipeeth

India Post News Service

CHICAGO: The festival of Holi was celebrated by Gayatri Parivar last week with great enthusiasm at Gayatri Shaktipeeth here. The celebrations began with the singing of devotional songs pertaining to the festival Holi by Kusumben and Dewani, the Haridwar saint. The devotees joined the singing with full zest.

Kusumben Patel, the main organizer, then narrated the story of mythological character Prahlad's firm determination of his belief in God Vishnu despite great opposition from his father Hirayan Kashyupa. Prahlad through a young boy of only 10 years, never changed his devotion, whatsoever hurdles placed by his father.

The father decided to burn him in fire having her sit in the lap of his aunt Holika who had a boon of God that she could never be burnt by fire. Miraculously, Prahlad was saved but the aunt died in fire. Hiranya Kashyupa was stunned to see Prahlad alive.

Hence Holi is celebrated on this day to remember the devotion of Bhakta Prahlad and Holika's sacrifice. This is a great message to everyone in order to achieve one's goal one should be fully determined and abide by truth always, she said. A Yagya was performed by Kusumben thereafter. She chanted the pious mantras and the steps of yagya.

The aspirants followed her in the ritual. The Yagya was over by 8:30 pm followed by a magnificent Aarti. The devotees played Holi with dance, abir, gulal and enjoyed the festival with a great joy. It was indeed a colorful and charming celebration at the Gayatri Shaktipeeth. Dilipbhai Thakkar invited everyone to participate in Pragya Puran Katha, performed at the Shaktipeth every Saturday at 5:30pm to 7:00pm. At the end Prasadam of Dhani, Khjur (dates), channa (gram) etc, was distributed to all devotees.

A week before the Holi celebration, Gayatri Parivar in Chicago celebrated Maha Shivratri Parva at Gayatri Shaktipeeth with great enthusiasm and good participation by devotees. The highlight was Shiva abhishek and Akhand Maha Mrityunjay Mantra Jap. Priest Diwanji explained importance of the festival and significance of different ornaments of Lord Shiva. For continuous Mantra Jap of Akhand Maha Mrityunjay Mantra, CDs and audio cassettes have been prepared for devotees.