BY MAHADEV DESAI

‘The Diwali celebrations at the BAPS (Bochasanwasi Shree Aksharpurshottam Swaminarayan Sanstha) Temple in Clarkston, Georgia were marked, as always, with color, spectacle and festive fervor. Flags of many nations fluttered in the gentle breeze and colorful eye-catching rangoli (floor decoration) near the entrance greeted thousands of attendees as they entered inside the temple. 

A giant TV screen showed a preview of scenes from a large format film, “Mystic India”, portraying the mind and soul, the rich spectacle and cultural history of India through an incredible journey of an 11-year-old child, to be released soon on IMAX screens. The walls of the temple were festooned with colored lights and religious symbols. 

BAPS Atlanta is well known for its elegant and innovative display of offerings before God in the form of “Annakut” (mountain of food). The out-of-the-world display this year was breath taking. The dedicated volunteers had prepared more than 1100 food dishes that were displayed colorfully, artistically and imaginatively. Wooden arc- bridges, gurgling fountains, huge photos and replicas of temples in different parts of India and abroad, miniature temples with deities in their resplendent finery. The colorful sweets, fruit baskets, floral arrangements arranged in layers like a Japanese terrace garden looked enchanting. The display had an international theme with display sections marked China, Kenya, Great Britain, and Italy and so on, with delicacies of the respective countries. The entire display with lighting that lent a soft halo to the ‘deities’ was simply bewitching. Aartis were performed round the clock to afford everyone an opportunity to participate in prayers to God. “As a symbol of appreciation and prayer to the Lord for all that He has endowed upon us and blessings for the upcoming year, a sumptuous and colorful array of food items, decoratively arranged are devoutly offered to the deities. On this day we pray to better serve our family and community” explained Ilakshi Patel, a Gujarati class teacher for BAPS youths. Sumptuous mahaprasad was served on all the days of the festivities-“Dhan Teras,” “Kali Chaudash” “Diwali” and the “New Year”. Messages of Happy Diwali and New Year were conveyed by His Divine Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj and also by the temple’s resident Priest. 

The festivities included devotional chanting and singing. BAPS sadhu Shantmurti Swami explained the significance of Diwali, “It celebrates the return of Lord Rama to the city of Ayodhya, after vanquishing the demon King Ravana, and for us this symbolizes our own struggle for righteousness and defeat of our own demons,” he said.

BAPS children too celebrated Diwali the previous Sunday-replete with games, comedy skits, magic show and gifts, that was enjoyed by both young and old alike.

All who attended left with uplifted spirits and a determination to face the New Year’s challenges with courage, faith and devotion.