FREMONT: Diwali was celebrated on a grand scale at Fremont Hindu Temple on Tuesday, November 13. Fremont’s Hindu community poured into the temple to pray and celebrate Diwali with lights, feasting, and prayer.
Starting early in the evening, Puja was held to commemorate the occasion. At the beginning of the function, an idol of goddess Lakshmi was paraded in a palanquin to the center of the temple to be revered and elaborately decorated. After Shree Lakshmi Utsav, Sahasra Deepalankarana lighted the temple grounds with twinkling lamps and pious hymns.
One thousand lamps were lighted. Couples lined up to offer a special group Shree Lakshmi puja for the occasion. Panditji helped devotees in conducting abhishek and puja.
In the main temple hall, a throng of devotees lined up for darshan and prayers. Dr. Romesh Japra, the temple founder, led everyone in Samhoooik puja. The whole temple reverberated with mantras of Hanuman Chalisa and Lakshmi Arti.
Diwali celebrations at the temple resounded with the fervor and devotion found in Indian celebrations. Diwali is a time to celebrate Lord Rama’s victory over the demon king Ravana, and of the inevitable triumph of good over evil. Diwali is also a day to pray to goddess Lakshmi for wealth.
Diwali marks the biggest day of five-day celebrations that started with Dhan Teras, when Ayudh Puja is performed and people buy jewelry and other expensive items for their homes.
Anu Agarwal, a local devotee, said, “I’m a regular worshipper at the temple, and the Diwali celebration is always the high point of the year’s festivities. This year was the best one so far, with the Sahasra Deepalankarana as a touching reminder of the victory of good over evil.”
Events for the day ended with Prasad and Priti Bhoj offered by the temple.
Ritu Maheshwari
India Post News Service
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