“Won't miss it,,, your karwa chouth pooja are the best,,,, will also bring some friends along,” that’s  what summed up the predominant mood of the jubilant and enthusiastic ladies as they started surging into the spiritual sanctuary of Satsang Center Woburn to celebrate the Karwa Chauth.

A vibrant Hindu  tradition sprung to zesty life for yet another year, at the annual autumn event hosted by Gayatri Pariwar of Massachusetts (www.Gayatri.info). Over 100 ladies sporting  dazzling traditional jewelry and dressed in radiant colors, converged here on a pleasant and crispy fall afternoon of November 2nd, 2012 for the Karwa Chauth puja/festivities.

Following comments pretty much illustrate an unanimous ‘sense of the house,’ on the event page after the puja: “Thank you Di for wonderful pooja every year!!! You make it so special!!!!.” Followed by yet another expression of delight, “thanks Sangeeta di! Love you for making Karwa Chauth even more special for all of us!” And, yet another note of gratitude, "as always pooja was spritiual and very soulful. Also wanted to thank all volunteers for all there help."

Like earlier years, Sangeeta Saxena, officiated the puja ceremony and delivered an inspirational, rousing keynote address as the take home message and main theme of Karwa  Chouth celebration. She emphasized on embedding the Upasana, Sadhana, Aradhana (USA) in participant’s daily lives. And, she lucidly interspersed the entire ceremony with the life-changing philosophy and inspirational message based upon the teachings of Yugrishi  Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya (founder of All World Gayatri Pariwar). The puja started with the Kalash (Karwa) Pujan, Sarva-Dev-Namskar, parva-katha and concluded with Purnahuti-mantras and Vedic Shanti mantras for the peace,  joy and well-being of all.

The puja-festivities concluded with 'Dev-Dakshina-purnaahuti', a  key aspect  of this celebration, besides the traditional Katha and songs. A volunteer of Gayatri Pariwar and officiating priestess Sangeeta Saxena continued to explain that this is the moment in puja, all the ladies take vows to cultivate a new personal virtue/strength for continued personal growth as well as for the  enrichment of their family lives. She also encouraged all her fellow sisters to take a complimentary vow to look 'with-in', and then identify and take vow to remove at least one behavioral flaw or habit  that might be proving an impediment to a happy family life. Sangeeta emphasized  that this small step could propel us a long way on the journey of personal fulfillment and family happiness. It is especially  valuable, when these vows are made at the heightened emotional state of a puja/festive occasion, in the presence of all the Dev-Shakti's.

The great diversity of Hindu Dharmic traditions is revealed through its traditional festivals, which help in celebrating, reflecting and enriching social life in a specific cultural context. As such, Karwa Chauth is a traditional fasting day observed by married Hindu women seeking the long-life, well-being and prosperity of their husbands. Some keep a strict fast and do not take even a drop of water. At night with the rising moon, women break their fast after offering water to the moon.In Hindu Dharma, the goal of life is Self-realization or the realization of the Supreme Consciousness (Parmatman), and fasting has traditionally been a much sought after technique among many others, in pursuit of this goal.

The festival of Karwa Chauth, shows the utmost value of family and the significant role of women in Hindu Dharma. Indeed, in most Hindu households, the ladies in home, serves as a significant link between the family and society. Karwa-chouth festival recognizes and celebrates mutual vows of wife and  husband. And, lately many husbands have also started fasting with their wife, making it a celebration of mutual understanding, tender heart and personal warmth.

The event was a huge success with the active support of volunteers, Volunteers of Gayatri Parivar of Massachusetts , which is 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.

As usual, the event concluded with high energy jingles of 'Thought Revolution Movement' pioneered by the All World Gayatri Pariwar. Following captivated the audience with a long echo”

Hum badlenge-Yug badlega!.

We change - world will change.

Hum sudhrenge-Yug Sudhrega!.

We improve - World will improve.

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