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Diwali & Annakut Celebrations 2022, Robbinsville, NJ, USA

22 Oct 2022 - 26 Oct 2022

Diwali & Annakut Celebrations 2022, Robbinsville, NJ

Century of Service - A unique exhibition commemorating Pramukh Swami Maharaj Centennial Celebration

The Mandir grounds uniquely decorated for Diwali celebrations.

A young family making their way to the Welcome Center.

The ornate Welcome Center buzzing with activity from visitors on the day of Diwali.

Along the Mandir edifice, a murti of Pramukh Swami Maharaj placed under the 'fruits of satsang' tree

Three generations of women joyously gather for a photo with their guru, Pramukh Swami Maharaj.

A youth volunteer introspects as she lights a candle marking the transition from darkness to light. This tradition is at the heart of Diwali celebrations.

A traditional display of candles and lanterns lit inside the Mandir.

The glow of a traditional display of candles and lanterns inside the Mandir.

A traditional display of candles and lanterns lit inside the Mandir.

With folded hands and a reverent bow, devotees behold the sacred images of God inside the Mandir.

A large-bronze-sacred image of Pramukh Swami Maharaj is at the center of the Chopda Pujan.

A Swami performing the puja tradition.

Swamis participate in the Chopda Pujan.

Devotees tie a sacred thread (nada chadi) on each other's wrists as they participate in the Chopda Pujan.

Swamis tie a sacred thread on each other's wrists as they participate in the Chopda Pujan.

A mother joyously demonstrates one of the actions in the Chopda Pujan for her daughter.

Two young boys participating in the Chopda Pujan together.

As part of the Chopda Pujan tradition, a devotee applies vermillion in his day planner.

Children sing Sanskrit hymns during the Chopda Pujan.

A young girl participates in the Chopda Pujan with her sister and mother at her side.

Pujya Yagnavallabh Swami performs the Chopda Pujan rituals.

During the Chopda Pujan tradition, a devotee receives the aura of the arti (lighted wick).

A devotee reverently bows to the sacred image of Pramukh Swami Maharaj.

Youth volunteers perform the arti before Tapomurti Shri Nilkanth Varni, a sacred image of the teenage form of Bhagwan Swaminarayan.

The sacred image of Pramukh Swami Maharaj in the Brahmasarovar.

Parking volunteers greet visitors as they arrive for Diwali celebrations.

Visitors exit the shuttle which transported them from their parking spot to the pedestrian entrance.

Visitors happily walk through the stepwell gardens as they make their way to the Welcome Center entrance.

On the day of the Hindu New Year, devotees lovingly sing hymns with the accompaniment of traditional Indian instruments.

A devotee receives the aura of the arti.

Inside the Mandir, devotees perform darshan (divine viewing) of the sacred images of God on the Hindu New Year day.

Pujya Nilkanthseva Swami joyously blesses a devotee on the Hindu New Year day.

A Swami offers traditional sweets to a young child on the Hindu New Year day.

A volunteer ties a sacred thread around the wrist of her fellow volunteer on the Hindu New Year day.

A youth volunteer helps arrange the Annakut, the ceremonial offering of food to the Deities

Annakut – literally, ‘mountain of food’ offered on New Year's day in thanksgiving to God for his providence over the past year and to seek his blessings for the year ahead.

Annakut offered to Akshar Purushottam Maharaj.

Annakut offered to Shri Ghanshyam Maharaj.

Annakut offered to Shri Radha-Krishna and Harikrishna Maharaj

Annakut offered to Brahmaswarup Bhagatji Maharaj and Brahmaswarup Yogiji Maharaj.

Annakut offered to Brahmaswarup Shastriji Maharaj, Brahmaswarup Pramukh Swami Maharaj and Pragat Brahmaswarup Mahant Swami Maharaj

Annakut offered to Shri Ramji, Shri Sitaji, Shri Lakshmanji, Shri Hanumanji

Annakut offered to Shri Shivji, Shri Parvatiji, Shri Kartikeyji, Shri Ganeshji

Annakut offered to Shri Ghanshyam Maharaj.

Swamis perform the Govardhan Pujan

Swamis pray during the Annakut Thal (singing of devotional verses describing the different types of food being offered to God).

Devotees perform darshan of the sacred images of God and the Annakut.

Pujya Yagnavallabh Swami performs the ceremonial Rajbhog Arti (ritual offering).

The Annakut of cakes offered to Pramukh Swami Maharaj.

Cakes messages from the life and work of Pramukh Swami Maharaj.

Annakut offered to Tapomurti Shri Nilkanth Varni

Devotees lovingly sing hymns with the accompaniment of traditional Indian instruments at the lotus feet of Tapomurti Shri Nilkanth Varni, the teenage form of Bhagwan Swaminarayan.

Devotees doing darshan of the Annakut offered to Tapomurti Shri Nilkanth Varni.

A family offering their prayers to Tapomurti Shri Nilkanth Varni

On the Hindu New Year day, female devotees sing the Annakut Thal (singing of devotional verses describing the different types of food being offered to God).

Devotees participating in the Annakut Thal.

Visitor on their way for darshan of the Annakut.

Devotees engrossed in the darshan of the Annakut.

A family joyously observes the Annakut

Alongside Diwali celebration, a special exhibition was offered - A Century of Service. The front of the Mandir edifice welcomed visitors to experience this exhibition, which highlighted Pramukh Swami Maharaj's contributions to society.

As part of international celebrations marking the centennial birth of Pramukh Swami Maharaj, a special popup exhibition was offered during Diwali celebrations this year.

Visitors reading and viewing display panels in the first section of the Century of Service exhibition.

Visitors in a queue for the multimedia show. The show depicted Pramukh Swami Maharaj's steadfast devotion to God and his peaceful demeanor despite times of major illness in his life.

Visitors seated in the exhibition theater for the multimedia show.

A young family seated in the exhibition theater for the multimedia show.

An elderly woman and her daughter viewing the multimedia show that depicted Pramukh Swami Maharaj's steadfast devotion to God and his peaceful demeanor despite times of major illness in his life.

The Century of Service exhibition buzzing with visitors as they make their way through reading and being inspired by the life of Pramukh Swami Maharaj.

A visitor writes a 'thank you' note to God in the Century of Service exhibition.

In 2001, regions of the State of Gujarat, India experienced a devasting earthquake. In the disaster relief segment of the Century of Service exhibition, a young family attentively views a digital display covering the earthquake and relief efforts initiated by Pramukh Swami Maharaj.

In 2001, regions of the State of Gujarat, India experienced a devasting earthquake. In the disaster relief segment of the Century of Service exhibition, a young couple reads a panel highlighting Pramukh Swami Maharaj's personal touch to the humanitarian relief efforts then.

In the environmental segment of the Century of Service exhibition, a young family reads about Pramukh Swami Maharaj's efforts to protect our planet.

In the spiritual guidance segment of the Century of Service exhibition, visitors witness various dioramas depicting incidents in Pramukh Swami Maharaj's life where he tirelessly connected with individuals through personal letters, phone calls, and visits to their homes. The boundless love of Swamiji was felt by all.

The Century of Service exhibition featured interactive activities for children where they decorated cards for other children battling illnesses and donated food for needy families.

A visitor attentively reads a panel in the Century of Service exhibition which presents a letter written by Pramukh Swami Maharaj. The letter contains detailed funeral arrangements for a devotee. This is but one example of the genuine care Swamiji had for others.

A young child reaches towards Pramukh Swami Maharaj in a heartwarming diorama of him writing one of his hundreds of thousands of letters to those in need.

Often words cannot express Pramukh Swami Maharaj's love. A visitor hears a recording of his voice.

A visitor listens to a heartfelt telephone recording of Pramukh Swami Maharaj blessings a family.

A visitor seeing the exhibition.

In the spiritual guidance segment of the Century of Service exhibition, visitors witness various dioramas depicting incidents in Pramukh Swami Maharaj's life where he tirelessly connected with individuals on a personal level. The boundless love of Swamiji was felt by all.

The Century of Service exhibition featured interactive activities for families.

Visitors point to an image they recognize from one of the incidents from Pramukh Swami Maharaj's life.

In 2014, at the age of 92, Pramukh Swami Maharaj traveled to Robbinsville, NJ to inaugurate the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Robbinsville, NJ and perform a special ceremony for the upcoming Swaminarayan Akshardham. Visitors read a life-size display with a history of the Swaminarayan Akshardham in Robbinsville.

Visitors closely watch a video of Swamiji's visit in 2014.

Visitors do darshan of the sacred image of Tapomurti Shri Nilkanth Varni as they depart.