BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir celebrates Diwali

A glittering array of twinkles filled the night as traditional candles were lit by devotees during the Diwali and Hindu New Year (Vikram Samvat 2075) Celebrations on Thursday November 8, 2018, at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, located at 61 Claireville Drive, Toronto.

The ancient tradition of lighting candles, or diva, during Diwali symbolizes the transition from darkness to light. While the diva lit on Diwali remove physical darkness, the festival’s rich traditions and rituals go deeper – inviting individuals to make efforts in removing darkness from within, in the forms of anger, envy, greed, arrogance, and resentment.  Diwali presents a time to reflect and introspect.

The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Toronto marked the auspicious festival of Diwali and its associated five days of celebrations with an elaborate Annakut, lighted diva, fireworks, and a special children’s Diwali celebration. The celebrations were open to all. Visitors participated in celebration activities, offered prayers for new beginnings and had the opportunity to taste in the delicious offerings of the Annakut.

Special guests attending the celebrations included:  Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario; Patrick Brown, Mayor of Brampton; Mr. Deepak Obhrai, MP for Calgary Forest Lawn; Peter MacKay, P.C., Q.C. ; Deepak Anand, MPP for  Mississauga—Malton; Amarjot Sandu, MPP for Brampton West.

Addressing the gathering, Premier Doug Ford said, “Happy Diwali, Happy New Year to everyone.

Each and everyone of you make me feel right at home when I come here. I wish everyone in Ontario could see this. it’s absolutely unbelievable. I understand it’s all about ‘Unity’ and what at great message.I just wanted to emphasize, you have treated our family incredibly well here. We are forever grateful to you. The contribution of your community to the province is absolutely incredible.”

Patrick Brown, Mayor of Brampton said, “As we celebrate the Festival of Lights, there is no where I would rather to be than here at the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir. I had the chance to visit the BAPS [Akshardham] Mandirs in Delhi and Gandhinagar and I feel so proud that we have this here in Canada . This is a testament to the Hindu faith. Every time I am here, I marvel at this architectural success and I am very proud that we have this in the GTA. On behalf of the city of Brampton I wanted to say how proud we are to celebrate the festival of Diwali”

Mr. Deepak Obhrai, MP for Calgary Forest Lawn, wished everyone a Happy Diwali and expressed how pleased he was to be celebrating the festival at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Toronto.

Offering his prayers to Bhagwan Swaminarayan, His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, guru and inspirer of BAPS, prayed for devotees around the world for continued personal, and professional growth in the new year. Mahant Swami Maharaj used the occasion of Diwali to remind individuals and families about the importance of leading spiritually-centered lives, grounded in strong values and increased attachment to God.