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In
the presence of Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the Diwali festival was celebrated
with great enthusiasm at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, London on Saturday
21 October 2006. Swamishri arrived at the Mandir for his morning darshan
of the murtis lit with lamps, and then proceeded to the Haveli for pooja.
Following the pooja darshan,
Swamishri expressed his wish to offer his blessings on this auspicious
occasion. Swamishri talked of removing the darkness of ignorance in our
lives and becoming permanently enlightened with the gnan of Atma &
Parmatma through the association of the Gunatit Satpurush.
Throughout the morning and
afternoon streams of devotees and visitors arrived beholding the majestic
murtis adorned with rich clothes and ornaments. Following the Sandhya
Arti at 6:30 p.m., the sadhus commenced the Chopda Poojan ceremony, where
business owners close their accounts and open new accounts on this auspicious
day. Hundreds of new account books were sanctified by Pramukh Swami Maharaj
with the showering of flower petals and rice grains, amidst the chanting
of vedic hymns and prayers to Bhagwan Swaminarayan.
A
short evening sabha was held following the Chopda Poojan ceremony in which
Viveksagar Swami explained the significance of the festival. In his blessings,
Swamishri spoke of the importance of devotion to God who has provided
us with the wealth. Swamishri also emphasised that inner peace cannot
be attained through mere materialistic possessions but only through Satsang.
Diwali is the ‘festival of lights’ and a fitting exhibition
of this festival was provided with a grand fireworks display that lit
the skies of North London with a thirty-minute performance. Countless
spectators, including local residents and passers-by were awestruck by
the light and beauty of Indian culture with a crescendo of sound and colour
providing a fitting climax. As the crowds dispersed, the preparations
for the following day’s Annakut programme began in earnest.
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