CHINO HILLS, CA: This year’s Diwali festival was celebrated with great devotion at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Chino Hills, California.
The festivities commenced with the Children’s Diwali Celebration on November 2. Before making their way to the carnival games, rides, and food, children and their parents participated in an interactive exhibition explaining the significance of the five days of Diwali. Zina Patel, a volunteer for one booth, especially enjoyed explaining background basics to children. Zina mentioned, “It helps other kids learn about the significance of Diwali, and I get an opportunity to expand my knowledge, too.”
The Ferris wheel, pony rides, and rock climbing, among other rides, contributed to the festive atmosphere of the Children’s Diwali Celebration. A train ride circled the carnival game booths and food booths. Megha Joshi, mother of two young children, was touched by her daughter’s active volunteer involvement, saying, “Culture and family fun come naturally here at the mandir.”
In the evening, devotees joined in a Hanuman Puja, offering prayers for a prosperous year ahead. The evening aarti was followed by a beautiful light show. Chino Hills Mayor Peter Rogers commended the light show, saying he was “appreciative of the aesthetics…to see the combination of the lights on the Mandir coordinated with the music.”
On November 3, devotees gathered with family and friends to participate in the Chopda Pujan, a special ceremony for families to receive blessings for the upcoming New Year. Traditionally, this is the day to close account books for the year and open new ones in preparation for the year ahead. Hundreds of ledgers were blessed during the ceremony to the accompaniment of Vedic chants and prayers. A Saraswati Pujan for children was held alongside the Chopda Pujan.
Children offered their prayers for excellence in education for the New Year.
As the sun began to set, families gathered around the mandir and lotus fountain for the outdoor Diwali Cultural Program, showcasing a musical drama capturing the story of Bhakta Prahlad. The audience joined in a maha aarti, a Hindu ritual of waving lighted wicks before the murti of Bhagwan as an act of spiritual enlightenment. The night concluded with a spectacular a light and music show, as colorful lights illuminated the exterior of the mandir, complemented by the dancing water fountain and traditional music in the foreground.
On November 4, devotees gathered early in the morning to offer their prayers on the first day of the New Year.
Devotees graciously greeted one another and spread wishes for a happy and prosperous New Year. All were dressed in traditional attire and shared mutual sentiments of excitement and joy. Throughout the day, visitors attended the hourly services to see the beautifully arranged lights and rangolis, unique floor designs made with colored rice and powder.
One unique aspect of celebrating the New Year is the offering of an arrangement of food items called Annakut, literally meaning “a mountain of food.” The devotees worked tirelessly for a number of weeks to prepare the colorful array of vegetarian food items to be offered to Bhagwan, creating an aura of togetherness amongst all those involved.
Congressman Ed Royce of California’s 39th district and Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee attended the New Year celebrations. Representative Royce was honored during the event and was pleased by the lively, festive atmosphere.
Visitors to the mandir walked through a unique and interactive exhibition designed and created by a collaboration of youth volunteers. The exhibition highlighted the significance of mandirs, Hinduism, and BAPS, inspired by Pramukh Swami Maharaj.
India Post News Service
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