Diwali and Annakut Celebrations at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Green Fields, Adelaide

The multifaith, multiday celebration of Diwali was joyously celebrated at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Green Fields, South Australia, concluding with a Grand Annakut. The Indian diaspora, political leaders as well as community members and well-wishers all gathered to celebrate the festival of lights.

On October 24th, Diwali Chopda Pujan ceremony was conducted to mark the closing of existing home and business accounts and open new books followed by a spectacular display of fireworks.

A kids Diwali celebration was also held consisting of interactive games, thrilling activities and programs covering the history and purpose of Diwali.

The Mandir was beautifully decorated with a series of lights. On the following day, Hindu New Year was celebrated.

Samuha Aarti was performed early morning followed by Maha Puja with devotees coming to do darshan of the adorned murtis throughout the day. The Grand Annakut took place on 29th October. An Annakut (“a mountain of food”) of vegetarian food, treats and desserts was arranged by volunteers. Attendees were dressed in their colorful and bright traditional Indian attire. The aura and atmosphere of the Mandir was warm and festive. The morning started with the offering of thaal to Maharaj and Swami, with 1001 food items being made by dedicated devotees and served to the deities, commemorating the Hindu New Year and Pramukh Swami Maharaj Centennial Celebration.

The celebrations offered attendees an opportunity for darshan of the Annakut and divine murtis of God while aarti and thaal were sung throughout the day. Visitors also viewed an exhibition depicting the selfless service of Pramukh Swami Maharaj in commemoration of his centennial celebration. The afternoon assembly was based on Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s virtues ‘In the Joy of Others – Love, Peace and Harmony’. In expressing the warmth and goodwill of Diwali, prasad in the form of dinner was served to all those joining in the celebrations. The festivities were open to all members of the local community.

The Annakut was also celebrated in the valued presence of many luminaries including Mayor Gillian Aldridge OAM – City of Salisbury, Mr John Fulbrook – Member for Playford, representing Hon Zoe Bettison – Minister for Tourism and Multicultural Affairs, Councillor Chad Buchanan – Deputy Mayor, City of Salisbury, Councillor Beau Brug – City of Salisbury and Councillor Surender Chahal -City of West Torrens.

Volunteers who helped with the decorations emphasized how rewarding it felt to take part this year and celebrate with community members after so many months of the pandemic.

About BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha

Established in 1907, the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha is a global non-governmental Hindu socio-spiritual organisation in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha reaches out to each individual through its mandirs and centres. These are places of worship and also permanent centres of peace and reformation for people of all ages, backgrounds and beliefs. Spread across the world, the BAPS Global Network is composed of more than 1,100 mandirs and 3,850 centres. In Australia, BAPS has representative centres (temples) in some of the major cities, including Sydney, Perth, Melbourne, Adelaide and Brisbane. BAPS is dedicated to the collective spiritual and social progress of society by promoting harmony between individuals, within families and amongst diverse communities.

Visit our global website at www.baps.org/adelaide for further information on BAPS Australia in Adelaide.

You may also visit our global websites for additional information about BAPS and its activities: www.baps.org;

https://research.baps.org/; www.bapscharities.org; https://pramukhswami.org/;