The Houston BAPS Temple organized a four-day Diwali-Annakut festival where the traditional rituals of Dhan Teras, Kali Chaudash, Diwali or Deep Utsav, and New Year�s Day were celebrated.
A Vedic Mahapuja was held on Diwali day to welcome the New Year and prayers were offered for world peace, prosperity, success and happiness. The evening Cultural program included a festival dance performed by children, bhajans sung by youths and elevating spiritual discourses by saints.
An annakut was displayed for New Year�s Day and included delicious dishes prepared by devotees and well-wishers. People turned up early in the morning to perform the mangla aarti after which they also received the blessings of Pramukh Swami. It was a joy to start the New Year with Swamishri�s blessings and words of wisdom. The annakut aarti was performed at noon after which people had the opportunity to have darshan of the Annakut which was themed in tune with the new traditional mandir to be inaugurated next summer.