In it's annual tradition of 'Diwali-at-Dwarkmai,' a vibrant and joyous celebration was organized featuring 'Deep-Yagna' as its main ceremony. On a bright and colorful fall evening of October 22nd, 2017 over 250 devotees gathered for this heart enthralling Diwali Deep Yagna and Sri Laxmi Puja celebration in greater Boston suburb of Billerica. Presiding deity of Shirdi Sai Baba overlooking the arrays of brilliantly lit lamps, 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 also melodiously rendered 'Pragya Geets' Master Swami Saxena delighted the audience with his skillful and spontaneous accompaniment on tabla.

All the attendees together took part in Deep Yagna,  which included a variety of spiritual practices. 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. Entire congregation  participated in the 'Gayatri Mantra Aahutis'. Sri Sai Gayatri and Mahamrityunjaya Mantra Aahutis,  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, Sri Laxmi  was invoked in Her auspicious form of Sri  ('श्री' रूप).  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-- श्री गणेश). Who is the presiding deity of pure-intellect or sadbuddhi (सद्-बुद्धि), manifests as wisdom in everyday life.

The entire celebration was interspersed with the lucid elucidation of  the philosophy 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. Accordingly, this five days Diwali festival was re-interpreted as a sort of annual health check of our five key dimensions of our well-being and happiness. Beginning with day-1 for review of our bodily health on Dhanvantari-Jayanti/Dhan-trayodashi. Followed by assessing the health of our mind on the Roop-chaturdashi / Narak-chaturdashi-day. Then comes the day-3, main Diwali with Laxmi puja and examination of our financial health. Which is followed by day-4 of Govardhan-puja, as an ecological/environmental health-check and finally the day-5 of Yama-dviteeya/Bhai-dooja, a kind of health check of our relationships.

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.  

With the overflowing but orderly gathering of devotees, this enchanting  evening was a rousing success. And, enthusiastic support of Dwarkamai  volunteers, who poured  their heart and hard work, made this festival a memorable one. Delicious Mahaprasad (dinner) was provided by the Gayatri Pariwar.

Volunteers of Gayatri Parivar of Massachusetts are actively providing services to facilitate and perform much sought after family ceremonies, public events in temples and universities.

Please check www.Gayatri.info for  more information.

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