By: Jayanti Oza

On November 9th, around 300 members and guests gathered at Swaminarayan Mandir in Wheeling to celebrate the Diwali festival and Annakut with great joy and enthusiasm. The event was marked by vibrant rituals, devotional music, and a sense of community that brought everyone together to honor these important cultural occasions.
The celebration began with the prana pratishtha ceremony and the worship of Thakorji. Secretary Shri Ramesh Choksi extended a warm welcome to all attendees and presented the outline of the evening’s program. Shri Pradumanbhai Pathak took the stage to explain the significance of Diwali, shedding light on its deeper spiritual meanings. The evening continued with blessings from Vice President Shri Rohit Joshi, Former President Shri Raman Patel, and current President Shri Virendra Patel, who all expressed their heartfelt wishes to the community.

The cultural portion of the event featured beautiful bhajans and songs performed by Mrs. Jyotsna Choksi, Shri Bhadra Shah, and Ranjan Dave, filling the air with festive cheer. A special Diwali worship ceremony was held, with key members of the community, including Shri Manu Patel, Anandi Patel, Ghanshyam Patel, Jayshree Patel, and Raman S. Patel, participating in the worship. Acharya Shri Rohit Joshi conducted the Vedic rituals, adding a traditional touch to the celebrations.

In addition to the Diwali festivities, the birthdays of community members born in November were also celebrated, with sweets distributed to all in attendance. The evening concluded with a delicious meal shared by everyone, leaving all participants with warm memories of the joyous occasion.

The Diwali and Annakut celebration organized by United Senior Pariwar was a testament to the strong sense of community and cultural pride that unites its members.