CHINO HILLS, CA: This year’s Diwali festival was celebrated with great devotion at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Chino Hills, CA. On Tuesday November 14, devotees gathered at the Mandir with family and friends to participate in the Chopda Pujan, a special ceremony for business owners to receive blessings for the upcoming New Year.
This is traditionally the day when business owners close their existing account books for the year and open new ones in preparation for the upcoming year. Through chanting Vedic hymns and prayers, hundreds of ledgers were blessed during the ceremony.
On November 15, devotees gathered early in the morning to offer their prayers on the first day of the New Year. Devotees graciously greeted each other and spread wishes for a happy and prosperous New Year. All were dressed in traditional attire and shared mutual feelings of excitement and joy. The hall was packed for the first aarti, a Hindu ritual of waving lighted wicks before the murti of Bhagwan as an act of spiritual enlightenment, which took place at 7:00 am. Throughout the day visitors poured in to the hourly services to see the beautifully arranged lights as well as the Rangoli, unique floor design made with colored rice and powder.
One of the unique aspects of celebrating the New Year is offering a feast of food items called Annakut, literally meaning “a mountain of food”. The devotees of the Mandir, through their devotion, prepared this colorful array of vegetarian food items to be offered to Bhagwan. This created a sense of togetherness amongst all who were involved.
Despite residing in India, His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj continually inspires devotees all over the world to celebrate their Hindu heritage and customs. These festivals allow for families to celebrate the Hindu festivals and pass on traditions to future generations.
India Post News Service
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