Over 1,000 families from Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan and Indonesia joined the virtual Kids’ Diwali Celebration webcast for balaks and balikas in the Asia-Pacific region.
The theme for this year’s celebration was ‘The Curse of Maya’, highlighting the different types of kusang (negative influences in life) to be aware of and how to avoid them. The first session focused on kusang in the form of physical (in-person) bad company, explained by the incident of Vasta Khachar. The second session highlighted kusang in the form of internet usage, giving guidance on watching the right content with discipline. In the last session kusang in the form of video games was discussed. The children were taught practical tips in creative ways based on actual incidents from the past and recent times and the Swamini Vato.
The creative and interactive webcast was presented with a unique storyline through animations, stories, dance and speeches by swamis to explain the different concepts. The celebration also consisted of challenges for the children to carry out with their families, like a scavenger hunt and making origami divas. Special video blessings were given by Mahant Swami Maharaj in which he explained how to lift the curse of maya. The celebrations concluded with fireworks.