Deepotsav celebrated with 3500 lamps at BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Navsari

The festival of Diwali was celebrated in an atmosphere of great devotion and joy at the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple located in Navsari. According to a report by Sandesh, the entire programme was organised under the inspiration of the current Guru of BAPS, Mahant Swami Maharaj. As the evening of Diwali arrived, the temple premises glittered with 3500 earthen lamps. The temple was decorated with attractive and colourful lights, which captivated the hearts of the devotees.

The temple saints performed grand puja-archana of the deities. This was followed by the traditional Shardaa Pujan and Chopda Pujan programme. On this occasion, more than 1000 Chopdas were worshipped with Vedic chants. Traders and devotees of Navsari joined this puja ceremony in large numbers, bringing their new Chopdas. The saints and devotees offered flowers and rice on the Chopdas and prayed that the coming new year remains one of happiness and prosperity. Fireworks were also set off in the temple premises at night, making the atmosphere festive.

According to Wikipedia, BAPS is a Hindu denomination of the Swaminarayan Sampraday, founded in 1905 by Shastri Yagnapurushdas. Mahant Swami Maharaj has been serving as the sixth Guru and President of BAPS since August 2016.