Diwali and the Hindu New Year are two of the most important and colourful festivals of the Hindu calendar – a time to celebrate and reinforce family values, charity and goodwill.
Most importantly, it is a time for thanksgiving to God, marked most beautifully with the annakut offering. This, the first meal of the new year, is offered to the murtis in a breath-taking arrangement of food – often hundreds of items combining culinary skills, artistic flair and selfless devotion.
After last year’s celebrations were moved exclusively online due to the coronavirus pandemic, this year, it was a relief and joy that BAPS mandirs around the UK and in Europe were able to allow devotees and visitors to attend in-person in a Covid-safe manner.
To see how the festivals of Diwali and Annakut were celebrated with joyous devotion at these mandirs, please click the thumbnails below.