A cultural light up in Benoni

Services at the temple happen once a week on a Saturday and a youth and women service every Friday.

November 14, 2018

Rivelle Govindsamy 1 minute read

The festival of Diwali was celebrated in South Africa by Hindus from November 6 to 8.

Known as the festival of lights, Diwali is a symbol of light triumphing over darkness, good rising against evil and knowledge prevailing against ignorance.

Along with celebrating Diwali, The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Sanstha Mandir (temple), which is part of a 110-year-old global religious organisation in Western Extension celebrated their New Year on November 8.

The temple, which is a religious haven to around 60 devotees in the area, shows an impressive display of affection towards higher spiritual beings.

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Youth coordinator Kavir Harilal explained that the New Year was unique to Gujarati Hindus.

“Celebrations began on November 5 by paying homage to our god for prosperity, explained Kavir.

“On Tuesday we performed a prayer that can be described as a self-cleaning puja (prayer) and destroying darkness.

“Wednesday was Diwali and we had an exhibition of the Ramayan (ancient Indian epic poem which narrates the struggle of the divine prince Rama to rescue his wife Sita from the demon king Ravana) which pertains to Diwali festivities.

“This then makes Thursday our Nutan Varsh (new year).”

Kavir said gurus (teachers) were to be respected and revered as they are akin to God.

“It is our culture to honour knowledge as knowledge is of great benefit to society.”

For the festivities of the New Year, over 100 dishes consisting of sweet and savoury delights, all vegetarian, were presented as an offering to the deities in the temple.

The dishes, as Kavir explained, were made without garlic or onion and were shaped as mountains symbolising religious significance.

“Rangolis (an art form, originating in the Indian subcontinent in which patterns are created usually on the floor or the ground using materials such as coloured rice) were created from maize meal and were placed next to the deities to highlight the importance of our festivals.”