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ISSO Sydney is been celebrating this vivid event in memorable ways since 2009.
In past 6 years time we have been organising Uttarayan in various places, such as Marayong,Blacktown, and Fairfield. Uttarayana Festival was celebrated with great passion and joyously. ISSO Sydney, managed to gathered more than 3500, people for this festival.
Every year more people are taking part in this festival and its boosting our confidence.
We also organise Kites and Threads (mild abrasive) and refreshment stores on the venue, to cater best service to all the people. Thankfully mandir volunteers are autonomous and versatile.
Its another way to rejoice and nurture our culture and festivals.
Holi
Find this year’s date in the multifaith calendar
Holi was originally a spring festival of fertility and harvest. Now it also marks some Hindu legends, which provide some of the ingredients for the celebrations.
Holi is an ancient festival which is referred to in the 7th century Sanskrit drama, Ratnaval.
Witness the beauty of the great cupid festival which excites curiosity as the townsfolk are dancing at the touch of brownish water thrown from squirt-guns.
They are seized by pretty women while all along the roads the air is filled with singing and drum-beating.
Everything is coloured yellowish red and rendered dusty by the heaps of scented powder blown all over.
Ratnaval, 7th century drama
The Legend of Prahalad and Holika
This is the main Holi legend. Holika was a female demon, and the sister of Hiranyakashyap, the demon king. Hiranyakashyap considered himself ruler of the Universe, and higher than all the gods.
Prahalad was the king’s son. His father hated him because Prahalad was a faithful devotee of the god Vishnu.
One day the king asked him “Who is the greatest, God or I?”
“God is,” said the son, “you are only a king.”
The king was furious and decided to murder his son.
But the king’s attempts at murder didn’t work too well. Prahalad survived being thrown over a cliff, being trampled by elephants, bitten by snakes, and attacked by soldiers.
So the king asked his sister, Holika, to kill the boy.
Holika seized Prahalad and sat in the middle of a fire with the boy on her lap.
Holika had been given a magic power by the gods that made her immune to fire, so she thought this was a pretty good plan, and Prahalad would burn to death while she remained cool.
But it’s never wise to take gods’ gifts for granted! Because Holika was using her gift to do something evil, her power vanished and she was burned to ashes. Prahalad stayed true to his God, Vishnu, and sat praying in the lap of his demon aunt. Vishnu protected him, and Prahalad survived.
Shortly afterwards, Vishnu killed King Hiranyakashyap and Prahad ruled as a wise king in his father’s place.
Moral
The moral of the story is that good always wins over evil, and those who seek to torment the faithful will be destroyed.
To celebrate the story, large bonfires are burned during Holi. In many parts of India, a dummy of Holika is burned on the fire.
ISSO Sydney, celebrate this auspicious and colorful event vibrantly. We have been celebrating Holi since 2010. We set woods and sticks to set bonfire in temple’s front yard. Subsequently doing all rituals, we fling colors (Gulal) and water on each other and have fun moments at the end of the day. We encourage and practice being compassionate about Mandir’s inviolability.
Patotsav
Patotsav is the grand celebrations to commemorate Mandir’s anniversary.It include spectacular activities to mark this truly extraordinary phenomenon.
The day begins with the auspicious and ancient Patotsav Vidhi in early morning, performed by His Holiness 1008 Acharya Koshlendraprasadji Maharaj. After all the disciples offer the Aarti to the Harikrishna Maharaj, Acharya Shree, now adorned in beautiful fresh flower and crystal garments.
Soon after, the Annkut gets unveiled for all to have the divine darshan of Lord Bhagawan amidst an offering of sweets, savouries and other delicacies.
The evening assembly starts with Dhun followed by aashirvachan from Acharya Shree, address over a thousand devotees on the importance of the Mandir after which the assembly concludes with the sadhus and all devotees performing Aarti.
On 9th Patotsav of ISSO, Sydney, young disciples then performed a devotional dance to an especially composed invitation kirtan, and in their performance, revealed a number of other aspects of the yearlong celebrations. On 9th Patotsav Acharya Shree unfurled 10th Patotsav official logo and gave us, mantra or pledges – to be taken as part of the festival’s prelude. Also launched today was an ambitious target to write 10 million mantra lekhan – of the supreme name of
“Shree Swaminanrayana Namah” – in the lead up to March 2015. Mantra Lekhan books were launched. We pledged to perform numerous activities also by March 2015, such as recitation of Vachnamrut, Shree Janmangal Path, Ghar Sabha, Satsang Shibir, intoning Bhakt Chintamani, and many fascinating events to accomplish in anticipation of decade’s success story of ISSO Sydney.
Acharya Maharajshree then showered His divine blessings on all, in which He again reminded everyone that no matter who the contributors and organisers to the festival were, and irrespective of where it is taking place, 10th Patotsav of ISSO, Sydney is a delineation of success story of International Shree Swaminarayan Organisation, Kalupur. Encouraged all disciples across the world to take part.
Commencement of Shakotsav Festival
In Samvat 1877, Kartik Vad 10, during an assembly in Loya, Lord Shree Swaminarayan said “My dear santo! You prepare lavish meals for me, but now I want to prepare shak and serve you all. I will prepare such delicious shak that you will remember forever.”
The Lord ordered for Aubergine (Ringna nu Shak), ghee, salt, spices, sugar, chillies and prepared a delicious Aubergine curry. Then He Himself served the food to the Saints and disciples.
This marked the beginning of Shakotsav.
As the news of this divine shakotsav spread to the neighbouring regions, devotees from different regions gathered in Loya for the divine darshan of this grand shakotsav festival. Devotees humbly offered to sponsor for this event and Lord Shree Swaminarayan accepted their offerings. This festival continued for two and a half months. On the final day, Lord Swaminarayan prepared Aubergine curry with 360kgs of fresh ghee and 1200kgs of Aubergines.
He had asked Nityanand Swami and the other Saints to make sweet ladoos, so Nityanand Swami served those. However, the Lord had instilled a divine, delicious taste into the Aubergine curry, and consequently, everyone asked for more and more of it, and refused to take any of the ladoos. In this manner, a grand Shakotsav festival was held in the village of Loya.
Lord Shree Swaminarayan likes those who perform humble services to the society. To demonstrate its importance, Lord Himself has served the sick, poor, elderly, handicapped people in the society.
During the shakotsav festival The Lord Himself prepared and served Aubergine curry to all who came to celebrate this festival in Loya. His clothings had yellow stains from turmeric powder and other spices, but He did not care about it. His sole purpose was to serve the deprived people.
Shakotsav Festival in Sydney Mandir.
ISSO Sydney adore to celebrate these rare observance. Preparation of the event starts from day before in order to serve all disciples. Ghee, spices and Aubergines get purchase in large quantities to serve thousands of disciples who were anticipated to come for this grande festival.
All yuvak mandal (Youth Group) and many other devotees start baking millet and maize chapattis (Rotla) in the late afternoon hours. A lavish ankoot thaal prepared along with and scrumptious Aubergine curry placed at the lotus feet of Lord Swaminarayan Bhagawan., than the entire congregation performs ankoot aarti and regular recitals.
One of the haribhakt gives a brief history of the Shakotsav festival that Lord Swaminarayan performed in the village of Loya, India. Followed by H.H.1008 Acharyashree Koshalendra Prasdji’s, divine ashirvachan. At the conclusion of the celebrations a lavish meal and Aubergine curry (Ringna nu Shak) along with millet and maize chapattis (Rotla) served to hundreds of devotees who took part in this exceptional occasion.
Hari Jayanti
Bhagwan Swaminarayan incarnated in Chhapiya, near Ayodhya at 10.10 p.m. on Chaitra sud 9, Samvat 1837 – 2nd April 1781 CE.
In His own words spoken in Hindi, He revealed His reason for incarnating:
Doosra avatar hai so karya-karan avatar huwa hai,
Or mera yaha avatar hai so to jivoku Brahmarup karke
Atyantik mukti dene ke vaste Aksharatit Purushottam
Jo ham vaha manushya jaisa banya hoon.
i.e. The earlier avatars incarnated to serve a specific purpose, however, My present incarnation is to Brahmanise the Jivas and grant them ultimate salvation. For this mission, I, the Purushottam, transcending Aksharbrahman, have assumed a human form.
“At a time when Gujarat – Kathiyawad was steeped in darkness, with his divine power, Bhagwan Swaminarayan:
– enlightened infinite hearts,
– inspired thousands to sacrifice themselves on his commands,
– subjugated the looting instincts of scores of Kathis and Kolis,
– re-established the extinct Brahmacharya ashram,
– enlightened the ascetic order which had become uncontrolled and wanton,
– laid down the ideals of self-control for the gurus and acharyas who had lapsed,
– gave women a well-defined status in society and the Sampradaya, thus uplifting them,
– accepted non-Hindus into the Hindu Dharma,
– taught purity of character to the Shudras (low castes),
– Boosted literature, music and arts,
– propounded Ahinsac (non-violent) Yagnas,
– became a teacher of the values of forgiving,
– was a founder of character and purity of life,
– was a proponent of the paths of pure Bhakti (devotion) and pure Gyan (knowledge),
– was a teacher of Bhagwat Dharma and extoller of the principles of Ved Vyas.
If incarnations do occur on earth, then he can indubitably be given the title of Avatar.”
The tremendous effect of His divinity was reflected in the number of devotees then. Around 2 million worshipped Him as the Supreme Lord Purushottam Narayan. Additionally, He had initiated 3000 ascetics, consecrated 6 Vedic stone mandirs, written a code of conduct, Shikshapatri, and inspired His Paramhansas to write several other scriptures, namely: Vachanamrutam, Satsangijivanam, Bhaktachintamani and Haricharitramrut Sagar, in addition to thousands of poetic verses – kirtans. Scholars have considered the Vachanamrutam as the first and finest piece of Gujarati prose of the early 19th century.
After departing for Akshardham on Jeth sud 10, Samvat 1886 – 1st June 1830, He remains manifest on earth through H.H.1008 Acharya Maharajshree Koshalendraprasdji and his successor.
Rama Navami
Both Lord Ramachandra and Bhagwan Swaminarayan incarnated on Chaitra sud 9, the former at 12 noon and the latter at 10.10 p.m. Both established Dharma and the ideals of character, worth emulating by mankind.
Incarnating in the Ikshvaaku lineage of King Dashrath of Ayodhya, Lord Rama is known as Maryaada Purushottam. His life exemplifies the ideal son, ideal husband and ideal ruler.
His purpose in manifesting was to eradicate evil in the form of Ravan, son of Pulatsya rishi. Though a Brahmin well-versed in the scriptures, Ravan had caused chaos in the whole of Bharat (India). Opposed to Dharma, he was regarded as a raakshas (demon). Harassing rishis was his life-goal. Therefore Lord Vishnu incarnated as Maryaada Purushottam Shri Ram.
Even today, Lord Rama’s virtues of equanimity in honor and insult, steadfastness in life’s vicissitudes, magnanimity towards devotees and dissenters alike, are virtues worthy of emulation by all.
Rituals
We observe a waterless(nirjala) fast on this day to gratify Lord Rama and Bhagwan Shree Swaminarayan . The whole day is celebrated in devotional pursuit such as listening to Bhagwan Shree Swaminarayan’s lila, reading scriptures and singing kirtans. Arti at noon 12:00 PM, the time of Lord Rama’s birth, is performed in all ISSO Mandirs and Rama Mandirs across the globe. At 10.10 PM the time of incarnation, arti of His child form, in a silver cradle, is performed in all the ISSO mandirs. An Annakut is also served along with Panchajiri being the traditional prasad.
Rakshabandhan
The true meaning of Rakshabandhan:
Rakshabandhan or “Rakhi” is festival of pure Love-bond between Brother and Sister. On this day Sister tie a knot on brother’s wrist as well as links her heart with love. Sister wishes well-being for her brother and in return brother pledges to protect and take care of sister by all means. It is celebrated in Hindu calendar “Shravan Poonam” and as per English calendar, usually falls in August .
Extending the much deeper and divine meaning, this ritual not only strengthens the bond of love, respect and care but also goes beyond the boundaries of the family. When a Rakhi is tied on the wrists of dear family, friends or by a disciple to the Guru and God, it highlights the need for a harmonious social life. This helps to broaden ones’ vision beyond the borders of one’s own family to the entire earth.
Thus the festival of Rakhi conveys a message that has spiritual significance highlighting the need for development of positive qualities, purity in thought-word-deed (Vichar-Vaani-Vyavhar).
The way we celebrated Rakshabndhan at Mandir:
During year 2014, Rakshabandhan has been celebrated in presence of Shastri Swami Gopaljivan Dasji and Parshad varya Kanu Bhagat, at Blacktown Swaminarayan Mandir.
Followed by divine “Pravachan” and blessings, Gopal Swamiji tied knot to each and every “Haribhakt” with love and blessings. As well, one of the honoured and divine Lady disciples tied knot to each lady “Satsangi” in temple. Everyone felt very special by being blessed, touched and protected from evil forces.
The history of Shravan mass carries such a divine significance is as follow,
The churning of oceans “Samudra Manthan” between Dev (Gods) and Danav (Demons) took place in the month of Shravan, fourteen different types of rubies came out. Thirteen of these were distributed amongst the Dev and Danav’s, except Halahal (poison). Lord Shiva drank the Halahal and stored it in his throat. Hence the name Neelkantha (meaning blue throat) is attributed to Shiva.
To reduce the strong effect of poison, Lord Shiva wore the crescent moon on his head. All the Devs (Demi-Gods), thereafter started offering the Ganges water to Lord Shiva to reduce the effect of poison. Ever since, this event took place in the month of Shravan, all devotees offer the Ganges water to Lord Shiv especially during this month.
The way we celebrate Shravan Maas:
As Bhagwan Swaminarayan transcribes in the Shikshapatri,
“In the month of Shravan they shall worship with reverence Mahadev (Lord Shiv), with Bilva leaves etc. like, or ask others to worship Mahadev on their behalf. (149)”
During Shravan Maas, several religious devoties and groups regularly perform Abhishek of Lord Shiva at Blacktown Swaminarayan mandir.
As well as Haribhakto begin special niyam (disciplines) during Shravan Maas as per Lord Swaminarayan Aagnya as follows,
Bhagwan Swaminarayan writes in the Shikshapatri, the command and instruction for all followers, both male and females, to be performed during pavitra (pure) shravan maas. The Lord Almighty further describes the special religious observances as follows,
Thus by following Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s Aagnya during Shravan mass followed by Chatur mass, it develops simplicity, self-discipline and bring you closer to Bhagwan, and, ultimately, make you a better person and allows to purify your divine soul.
The true meaning of Dashera:
The festival of Dashera is unique in its perception and significance. According to the great Hindu epic Ramayana, Lord Ram killed Ravana on the tenth day that is Dashera. It is called as triumph of virtue over sin or immorality. Ravana is said to have abducted Ram’s wife, Sita and was also known as a destructive ruler. The end of Ravana meant end of bad and evil spirit as he was a demon by birth too.
Dashera Celebration in Eastern India,
The festival of Dashera is also known as Durga Pooja. In eastern part of India people worship Goddess Durga all the nine days and celebrate Dashera as it was on that day that the demon Mahisasura was killed by the Goddess.
Goddess fought with evils for 9 nights and 10 days. The name “Vijayadashami” is also derived from the Sanskrit words “Vijaya-dashami” literally meaning the victory (Vijay) on the dashami (Dashmi being the tenth lunar day of the Hindu calendar month).
Dashera Celebration in Gujarat,
In Gujarat, men and women gather and dance every night of the Navratri and even lot of competitions and shows are organised on this occasion. The songs are usually devotional ones and the dance form is called “Garba”. Women in their best of attires surround beautifully decorated earthen pots and dance till late night.
Dashera Celebration in North India,
In North India, usually people celebrate Dashera by burning the statue of Ravana and it is the inauguration of the play based on the epic, “Ramayana”. It is the final day and there is usually a jubilee organised and enjoyed by people. A chariot carrying Ram, Sita and Lakshaman passes through the crowd and the person enacting Ram aims an arrow to burn the statues Ravana.
The way we celebrated Dashera at Mandir:
The mark the festival of Dashera, devoties at mandir celebrates the victory with special Dashera Sunday Sabha (Assembly). One of the spiritual spiritual saints or Haribhakt gives meaningful and detailed speech explaining significance of Dashera, followed by Garba and Mahaprasad.
Majority of the devoties are from Gujarat and to celebrate their love for Garba, mandir organize special orchestra to play Ras-Garba on the rhythm of religious songs inside mandir premises. As well as this year, 2014, mandir have organized special Garba and H.H.1008 Koshalendra Maharajshree Birthday celebration all together.
