20,000 to celebrate Diwali in a blaze of Lights
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By Radha Mohan Dasa
20,000 people will come together at Bhaktivedanta Manor Hare Krishna temple near Watford to celebrate Diwali, the Festival of Lights on Sunday 22nd October. Highlights of the festival include colourful dances, plays from ancient Indian history, free vegetarian meals for everyone, bullock cart rides, lectures and devotional singing. The day will culminate in one of the most spectacular Diwali firework displays in the London area.
Bhaktivedanta Manor Hare Krishna Temple attracts the largest Hindu congregation in the country during important Hindu festivals like Janmashtami and Diwali.
The central theme of Diwali is the victory of good over evil and light over darkness - from the ancient Indian epic “Ramayana”, when Lord Rama returns in victory after slaying the demon Ravana.
“Diwali is a time for family and for prayers, sacrifice and charity,” said Gauri Dasa. “Millions of Hindus around the world worship Lord Rama on this day by lighting lamps and sharing a sumptuous vegetarian feast with friends and neighbours.”
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Contact: Radha-Mohan dasa Phone: 01923-856269 Mobile: 07818 815 978 Email: Radha.mohan.BCS@pamho.net
Editor’s Notes
Venue: Bhaktivedanta Manor Temple Date: Sunday 22nd October 2006 Time: 5 - 9 pm Programme: Dance, drama, feast and fireworks.
Note 1:
“Diwali” is one of the most important festivals in the Hindu calendar, celebrated by 1 billion Hindus worldwide and 650,000 Hindus across the United Kingdom.
Diwali marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year, and on this day Hindus meditate on the significance of Diwali wherein light always triumphs over darkness and goodwill conquers evil. It is a festival marked by exchanging of gifts, distribution of sanctified Indian sweets, and new decorations for the home and new clothes for the family.
Note 2:
Bhaktivedanta Manor Hare Krishna temple, originally gifted to ISKCON by Beatle George Harrison is housed in 77 acres of land outside Watford and hosts the largest Hindu festivals in the UK. It has become one of the most important sites of pilgrimage for European and British Hindus, and hosts the only Hindu seminary for priests in the UK.
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Sorry to sound boring ,but just when did we become Hindus ?
i checked, the word “hindu” is used 8 times in this article and the word “vaisnava” and the word “devotee” do not appear at all.
Well, Hare Krishna is written 3 times… I suppose it was general announcement for general public, not only devotees and not written particularly for dandavats.com
While I would express caution at the overuse of the term Hindu for a Vaishnava Mandir, I think that it is a little nit-picky for us to concern ourselves by being branded Hindus - after all, this term is to enable people unfamiliar with Vaishnavism to get a ’sense’ of what we do. That was the whole reason behind the Rajasika and Tamasika Puranas - to convey the message to people not yet ready for the Sattvika message.
Chant and Be Happy :)
Sri Radhagolokaviharine Namo Namah!