The Diwali celebrations at the Neasden Temple had a special significance this year as they coincided with the birth centenary of His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj. Diwali and the Hindu New Year embody his maxim that 'in the joy of others lies our own.'
The five-day festival consists of traditional ceremonies, such as the performing of Lakshmi Pujan on the first day, which reminds us to earn wealth righteously and share it for noble purposes. Diwali commemorates the victory of good over evil and is most traditionally associated with Shri Ram Bhagwan returning to Ayodhya with Sitaji after his victory over the demon, Ravan.
At its core, Diwali is about charity and goodwill, and it was heart-warming to see so many visitors bring in donations for the food bank collection organised by the temple, reflecting His Holiness's teachings. Once again, the renowned 'annakut,' (a mountain of food) did not disappoint as thousands of devotees and visitors stood in awe at this devotional offering, with all its colours and aromas, made as an act of thanksgiving. Rob Taylor, a local resident, conveyed how great an event Diwali at Neasden Temple is: 'I look forward to it every year,' he said. 'The fireworks are great, the food is even better, and everyone is so welcoming.'
This festival of lights is considered as one of the most auspicious times of the year; the announcement of Rishi Sunak as PM fittingly acted as a prelude to the fireworks. The news of this historic moment was shared swiftly with delight, hope and optimism, marking a new era in British history. In his acceptance speech, Rishi Sunak stated that 'we now need stability and unity, and I will make it my utmost priority to bring our party and country together.'
Pramukh Swami Maharaj regularly reinforced the importance of the unity that Mr Sunak has vowed to provide - he said that 'we have to unite and learn to get along with each other. That is the only way to inner peace.' Here in the UK, Diwali is in keeping with this principle - it is not just Hindus that celebrate Diwali, but people from all backgrounds, who come to enjoy the festivities; the crowds at the Neasden Temple were a testament to this.
Following the Diwali reception at Downing Street, the Prime Minister announced his hope of building a better Britain 'where our children and grandchildren can light their diyas.' This sentiment shone through amongst the diverse gathering of people at the temple, conveying the significance of this moment on this festive day. Irrespective of their faith and ethnicity, children of all ages took inspiration from the first British Asian PM.
