Lansdale's Hindu New Year, Diwali Festivities Draw Thousands

Over 1200 members of the Lansdale area community came together on November 11 to celebrate Diwali and the Hindu New Year, according to celebration organizers.

Diwali serves as a time to gather with friends and family to welcome the New Year and celebrate the year past.

During this time of togetherness, reflection, and introspection, devotees at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Lansdale, organized various events to share in ancient traditions with the local community.

Across North America, thousands of volunteers begin preparations months in advance of the festivities - from decoration design and creation to food preparation for the annakut (offering of vegetarian dishes to the sacred Hindu images). Celebrating Diwali with great enthusiasm and excitement inspires every generation of Indians to honor their deeply rooted Hindu heritage.

This year’s celebration brought together over 1200 local community members and included honorable dignitaries, Congressman Michael Fitzpatrick, Township Commissioners Tom Zipfel and Scott Brown, and Souderton Police Chief James P’ Leary.

The annakut food display included over 600 vegetarian delicacies prepared by local devotees.

The five days of Diwali are filled with optimism and enthusiasm as volunteers and devotees work side by side, looking past their differences, to build the annakut and prepare for Diwali events at each mandir. Inspired by His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the spiritual leader of BAPS, devotees welcome guests to the mandir with well wishes for the New Year.

Swamis visit with community members to offer their prayers for peace and prosperity among families. This year, BAPS Mandirs across North America marked the auspicious festival of Diwali with fireworks and cultural exhibitions so visitors would find their experiences both entertaining and educational.

“Diwali is my favorite festival because of the excitement that fills the air when the festival nears. But having recently migrated to US, I did not know what to expect.” said Rikin Patel, “But after coming to the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Lansdale, I felt like I was in India. I experienced Indian culture while getting a taste of fine Indian cuisine. Every person I met had an expression of warmth and happiness on their face. I truly felt at home.”

“Diwali is that time of the year when family, friends and relatives get together and strengthen their bonds through various festivities. Being away from India should not cause a lapse in our traditions”, said Shirish Patel, the temple coordinator. “Preparations for the festivities begin months in advance. Devotees, young and old, sacrifice their time to help in creating decorations, food preparation, children’s Diwali celebration arrangements, as well as decorating the stage for the most significant ritual of Diwali, the Annakut,” Shirish Patel added.

Diwali is also a time when children look forward to the joy it brings. On Saturday November 20, the Children’s Diwali Celebration will take place. Children will learn about the history and origin of this festival, will play a variety of exciting games, and will be given an assortment of gifts and goodies.

About BAPS: The BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), a worldwide socio-spiritual organization is dedicated to community service, peace and harmony. Motivated by Hindu principles, BAPS strives to care for the world by caring for societies, families and individuals. Through social and spiritual activities, BAPS endeavors to produce better citizens of tomorrow who have a high esteem for their roots. Its 3,300 international centers support these character-building activities. Under the guidance and leadership of His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, BAPS aspires to build a community that is morally, ethically and spiritually pure, and free of addictions.