CHICAGO: With a beautifully decorated Mandir, fireworks lighting up the night sky and displays of various types of sweets and food dishes, a festive ambiance was created at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Bartlett recently to observe one of the most renowned Hindu festivals of the year.
The foundation of Diwali is based in the belief of dispelling darkness with light. The festival is celebrated over five days, with each day carrying its own unique significance. Festivities began on Saturday, October 26 with hundreds of kids and parents coming for Children’s Diwali Celebration. The program included fun-filled games and activities to help learn more about their cultural traditions. Carnival games were set up to illustrate traditions and teachings from the epic story of the festival.
Celebrations continued on the actual day of Diwali with a grand fireworks show on November 3. A unique production that combined inspiring videos, traditional dances, and energetic music was organized in conjunction with the show. As fireworks soared over the Mandir, children waved glow-in-the dark wands while enjoying the breathtaking colors of the Mandir.
Monday, November 4, was the very first day of the Hindu New Year, time of reflection, and resolution. It is also an occasion for giving thanks, and is traditionally celebrated with the Annakut – literally, ‘a mountain of food’. This is a grand offering of hundreds of different vegetarian food items, prepared lovingly by devotees, to thank God for His providence over the past year and to seek His blessings for the year ahead.
Each year, the BAPS Mandir also holds a themed exhibition showcasing important values and Hindu traditions that give a deeper meaning to the significance of this holiday. This year, in a technology-driven exhibit with laser equipment, videos, social media, and environment-friendly decorations, traditional values were combined with modern science to celebrate the theme of “Mandir Inspires…”
Several of the attendees included school groups from the surrounding DuPage County. Dr Vieille, a teacher at Carpentersville Middle School, has started a globalization program at the school to teach students more about diversity. She especially made sure that her class came to the BAPS Mandir on a field trip during Diwali to learn more about Hinduism and Indian traditions. She said, “I’m really glad I had the chance to visit the Mandir today with my class and appreciate the cultural diversity that this community has to offer. By coming to the Mandir today, I was really able to develop an understanding of Hinduism and Indian culture and the children really gained an appreciation for it as well.”
Reflecting on the scenes of the day compared to celebrations back home in India, Consul General of India, Dr Ausaf Sayeed said, “This is my first Diwali in the US and it has been an extremely humbling experience and a bonding factor in the Indian community. I am so amazed by seeing how Diwali is being celebrated here and how it has been spiritualized. The use of modern-day technology to explain the importance behind the Mandir is a great message to give to young children today and everybody deserves great appreciation for putting together this celebration! In this world, we are often separated by our different ideologies, but at the Mandir here today, a message of peace is given to everyone and it is great that everyone can experience it.”
The dedication and tireless efforts of the volunteers was evident in every aspect of the celebration as well. Peter Roskam, US Congressman from the 6th District, was extremely impressed with the festivities and seeing participation from youth in particular. “By fostering a spirit of volunteerism, BAPS has found a nice balance with community members helping each other and also helping others outside their Indian community – that’s really the spirit of America!”
Sandip Patel
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