Youths across university campuses in North America rekindled their flame of character, integrity, and spirituality through the annual BAPS Campus Diwali Celebration, hosted by the BAPS Campus Fellowship. This year, over 40 campuses across North America held Campus Diwali Celebrations. Collegiate youths, often located far from their childhood friends and family, balanced their academic schedules to plan, organize, and participate in this event. In addition, student volunteers hand-prepared various vegetarian food items to offer as an annakut, upholding cornerstone elements of the Diwali tradition. Over 10,000 students, faculty, and community members participated in these celebrations nationwide.
The program was themed “The Festival of Harmony” to share the feelings of harmony among loved ones that Diwali brings into our lives. Through the interactive exhibition and program, delegates learned how one can achieve harmony with the world, with others, and within oneself. Additionally, the program enabled delegates to understand the origins of Diwali, practice some of its customs, and recognize the importance of maintaining harmony. This culminated in a showcase of the “Landmarks of Harmony,” which highlighted the inspiring stories of the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi as well as the story of BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham in Robbinsville, NJ.
The program and exhibition also allowed participants to reflect on the values of Diwali that they could incorporate into their lives and engage in customs such as creating rangoli and lighting divas.
These powerful messages of "The Festival of Harmony" were illustrated through interactive exhibits and motivational speeches by Pujya Swamis. Many attendees arrived in traditional Indian clothing and were welcomed according to Hindu customs by receiving a chandlo (red vermillion mark) on their foreheads and a nadachhadi (red sacred thread) tied on their wrists. Guests, faculty, staff, and students were inspired to think of one another during this festive time and strive for the betterment of society when setting personal and professional goals.
Under the spiritual guidance of His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, BAPS continues to promote and organize activities that celebrate the spirit and values of Hindu festivals while simultaneously enriching today's youth with vital life lessons. These lessons equip young people with the tools to share peace, love, and harmony while providing selfless service to the community.