With lights, colors, food and friends and family, the Swaminarayan Temple in Secaucus, New Jersey held its annual Diwali open house Nov. 14 primarily to acquaint community members, especially the young generation, to the rich cultural and family values that are at the foundation of community while celebrating the festival of lights.
The attendees were welcomed through the temple’s decorative entrance and were guided inside the temple’sgrand ankut, or a mountain of food placed before the presiding deities. Attendees performed aarti before the interactive presentations that included information on Diwali and about the specific humanitarian and community service efforts carried out by the temple. The guests learned about food, attire, musical instruments, cricket.
Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa Pipeband gave a performance. An Organ donation campaign, along with the New Jersey Sharing Network, was held to encourage attendees to register as organ donors. Members of the community celebrated Diwali not only with their family and friends but also with other community members.
Local officials, who have been associated with the temple for a long time, also joined to celebrate the festive occasion with the community. North Bergen Mayor and State Senator, Nicholas J. Sacco attended the event as did Secaucus Mayor Michael Gonnelli and Town Councilmen Rob Constantino and Gary Jeffas.
Addressing the congregation Mayor Sacco said that the temple has been there for Hudson County whenever needed and its community service efforts are to be noted. “Your values of family and religion are what everyone should hold as the foundation of their lives,” he said.
Mayor Gonnelli echoed that sentiment: “In the past 15 years, your temple community has been there for the town of Secaucus whenever needed or called upon. Watching this organization flourish into what it is today has certainly been a blessing.”
After receiving the blessings, the congregation gathered in Muktajeevan Swamibapa community hall and took part in a lavish feast to celebrate the New Year which for many regions in India coincides with Diwali.
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