In it's annual tradition of Diwali-Deep-Yagya, an overflowing congregation at Dwarkmai Sai Temple, held a vibrant and joyous celebration. On a Sunday evening of October 26th, 2014, over 150 devotees gathered for this soul enthralling Diwali Deep Yagna and Sri Laxmi Puja in greater Boston suburb of Billerica. Presiding deity of Shirdi Sai Baba overlooking the arrays of brilliantly lit deepak, appeared magnificently showering His blessings on a house full of devotees.

The evening rolled out with Sri Hanuman Chaalisa and traditional bhajan invoking Sri Sai Baba. Neeta Rathi and Sangeeta Saxena melodiously rendered â€œPragya Geets”also, which are made very popular by the  Gayatri Pariwar. Swami Saxena, delighted the audience with his skillful and spontaneous accompaniment on tabla.

Whole group performed a collective â€œDeep Yagya,” which included a variety of spiritual practices to serve devotees  with diverse inclinations. This form of Yagna is a contemporary version of traditional Yagna, adapted by Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya (founder of Gayatri Parivar).

As such “Deep Yagna” helps popularizing the philosophy of Yagna for the busy lifestyle of modern times. Devotees lighted 108 lamps to perform â€œDeep Yagna”. Entire congregation  participated in the “Gayatri Mantra Aahutis”. Sri Sai Gayatri and Mahamrityunjaya Mantra Aahutis for world peace,  were also offered. Gathering recognized many people whose birthday’s and wedding anniversaries fall in the current calendar month.

In the special parva-pujan sequence, devotees invoked Sri Laxmi  in Her auspicious form of Sri  ('श्री' à¤°à¥‚प). Where, she radiates the auspicious abundance to enrich and enliven the life of devotees. Laxmi pujan started with the puja of Buddhi-Vinayak Sri Ganesh (बुद्धि-विनायक-- à¤¶à¥à¤°à¥€ गणेश). Who is the presiding deity of pure-intellect or sadbuddhi (सद्-बुद्धि), that manifests as wisdom in everyday life.

The entire celebration  was lucidly interspersed with the elucidation of  purpose behind all the Puja activities performed throughout  the evening. Sanjay Saxena, a volunteer of Gayatri Pariwar, rendered the commentary based on  the philosophy of Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya. Yagya / Pujan ceremony was  conducted and presided over by Sangeeta Saxena, another volunteer and priestess of Gayatri Pariwar.

Towards conclusion of the evening, during 'Dev-dakshina-purnahuti' (देव-दक्षिणा à¤ªà¥‚र्णाहुति) all participants took vows to give up one weakness/undesirable habit in their lives and also took a vow to inculcate a new strength/good habit for the continued progress and transformation of their lives.  

This enchanting  evening turned out to be a rousing success with intensely active engagement of all present. And, enthusiastic support of Dwarkamai  volunteers, who poured  their heart and hard work, made this festival a memorable one. Ajay Kewale led the evening to conclusion with an Aarti and Mantra Pushpanjali. Delicious Mahaprasad (dinner) was also provided by the devotees of Dwarkamai that they prepared with lots of love and care.

Shri Dwarkamai Vidyapeeth, welcomes all devotees for the grace and blessings of Sai Baba. In addition to regular temple activities at the Center, it also hosts lectures by Vedic scholars, health and wellness professionals, meditation sessions, yoga and kids enrichment activities and charitable give back to community. 

All World Gayatri Pariwar helps celebrate Dharmic festivals in a collective setting for spreading the Dharmic-awareness and awakening of the society, this Jan-jagran (जन-जागरण) is what Acharya Shriram Sharma has envisioned as the role of temples. Acharya-ji has pioneered the revival of spirituality through creative integration of modern science and ancient Dharmic Traditions relevant for challenging circumstances of modern times. According to Him, the “perversion  of thoughts” is the root cause of  crisis in individual, familiy, social and world affairs in contemporary times. The only way out of  this desperate situation is “total thought revolution”,  which He termed as “Vichar Kranti”.  “Gayatri Sadhana and Yagya”  are the most effective techniques or technology for pulling the humanity out of this current crisis as a prime enabler of  “Vichar Kranti”.

Volunteers of Gayatri Parivar of Massachusetts are actively providing services to facilitate and perform much sought after family ceremonies which are integral part of Hindu tradition. Please check www.Gayatri.info for  more information and upcoming events' flyers.