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Diwali & Annakut Celebrations 2023, Los Angeles, CA, USA

11 Nov 2023 - 18 Nov 2023

Diwali Celebrations at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Los Angeles

Diwali morning darshan of Shri Akshar Purushottam Maharaj

Diwali morning darshan of Shri Ghanshyam Maharaj

Diwali morning darshan of Shri Radha Krishna Bhagwan & Shri Harikrishna Maharaj

Swamis perform Hanuman Pujan

Devotees join in Hanuman Pujan

Devotees participate in the Shri Nilkanth Varni Abhishek tradition and offer prayers on the auspicious day of Diwali

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Los Angeles hosts a special Veterans Tribute program during the Diwali festivities

Chino Hills Scout Troop 220 conducts a 'Presentation of the colors' during a special Veterans Tribute program

Youth volunteers sing the national anthem while the Chino Hills Scout Troop 220 presents the colors during a special Veterans Tribute program

Veterans from the greater community join the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Los Angeles for a special Veterans Tribute program

Retired Army Lieutenant Colonel Chuck Haeflinger of the Chino Hills 55+ Club - Veterans Group recites a poem titled, 'The Spiritual Life of Soldier,' during a special Veterans Tribute program

Verenna Denina from the Office of Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35), who represents the Mandir, presents a Certificate of Recognition to Veterans in the BAPS community

Attendees witness a special Veterans-themed light show on the Mandir in honor of their service during a special Veterans Tribute program

Members of the Chino Hills Scout Troop 220 witness a special Veterans themed light show on the Mandir in honor of their service during a special Veterans Tribute program.

A rangoli, a traditional art form often done during festive times like Diwali, created by BAPS Volunteers, is displayed in front of the Mandir to welcome the community

Devotees and members of the community coming together for darshan and to offer prayers on the auspicious day of Diwali

Devotees and community members participate in Sharda Pujan, a unique Diwali tradition that is performed yearly, where aspirants seek blessings in professional, business, or educational ventures

Devotees and community members participate in Sharda Pujan

This Diwali, BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Los Angeles, hosted a special 'Community Diwali Experience' with both traditional and contemporary activities to celebrate Diwali

Community Diwali Experience: Community members learn about the various activities and programs that they can participate in to celebrate Diwali

Community Diwali Experience: In the spirit of Diwali the value of service, community members joined in making 1,000 care kits with essentials for organizations supporting the unhoused and vulnerable seniors in the area

Community Diwali Experience: In the spirit of Diwali the value of service, community members could get swabbed and added to a stem cell and bone marrow registry to help save lives

Community Diwali Experience: Community members participate in the Diwali tradition of lighting a diya or lamp as BAPS youth volunteers say a prayer for peace

Community Diwali Experience: A family from the community participates in the tradition of Rangoli, an art form often displayed during festive times like Diwali

Community Diwali Experience: A community member gets mehndi done on her hand, an activity often done during festive times like Diwali

Community Diwali Experience: An invited guest receives a tour and learns about the reach and impact of BAPS across Southern California

Community Diwali Experience: Members of the community connect and rekindle relationships with each other

Community Diwali Experience: BAPS Youth volunteers perform various regional dances of India on the Cultural Stage

Community Diwali Experience: Community members in a festive mood as BAPS Youth volunteers perform various regional dances of India on the Cultural Stage

Community Diwali Experience: BAPS Youth volunteers perform various regional dances of India on the Cultural Stage

Community Diwali Experience: Firework sparks light up the mandir campus as community members celebrate Diwali

Community Diwali Experience: BAPS Youth volunteer explains the history of various regional dances of India being performed on the Cultural Stage

Community Diwali Experience: BAPS Youth volunteers perform various regional dances of India on the Cultural Stage

Community Diwali Experience: Community members in a festive mood as BAPS Youth volunteers perform various regional dances of India on the Cultural Stage

A beautiful sunrise greets the mandir on the morning of Annakut

Devotees gather for arti on the morning of Annakut

Devotees receive blessings from Swamis on the morning of Annakut

Annakut, a devotional offering of vegetarian delicacies prepared by volunteers & community members

Annakut, a devotional offering of vegetarian delicacies to Shri Akshar Purushottam Maharaj

Annakut, a devotional offering of vegetarian delicacies to Shri Ghanshyam Maharaj

Annakut, a devotional offering of vegetarian delicacies to Shri Radha Krishna Bhagwan & Shri Harikrishna Maharaj

Annakut, a devotional offering of vegetarian delicacies to Shri Nilkanth Varni Maharaj

Annakut, a devotional offering of vegetarian delicacies to Shri Bhagatji Maharaj

Annakut, a devotional offering of vegetarian delicacies to Brahmaswarup Shastriji Maharaj

Annakut, a devotional offering of vegetarian delicacies to Brahmaswarup Yogiji Maharaj

Annakut, a devotional offering of vegetarian delicacies to Brahmaswarup Pramukh Swami Maharaj

Annakut, a devotional offering of vegetarian delicacies to Pragat Brahmaswarup Mahant Swami Maharaj

Annakut, a devotional offering of vegetarian delicacies to Bhagwan Shri Sita-Ram & Shri Hanumanji

Annakut, a devotional offering of vegetarian delicacies to Bhagwan Shri Shiv-Parvati & Shri Ganeshji

Swamis perform 'Govardhan Puja,' during Annakut

BAPS Youth volunteers sing thal as devotees offer their prayers to the sacred images of God during Annakut.

Devotees sing thal and offer their prayers to the sacred images of God during Annakut

Swamis perform aarti in celebration of Annakut

Annakut, a devotional offering of vegetarian delicacies prepared by volunteers & community members

Devotees sing thal and offer their prayers to the sacred images of God during Annakut

Devotees perform aarti and offer their prayers to the sacred images of God during Annakut

Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-28) lights a diya and joins BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Los Angeles for Diwali

Congressman Mark Takano (CA-41) joins BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Los Angeles for the Diwali celebration

Gabriela Agarie, staff from the office of Congressman Tony Cardenas (CA-29) joins BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Los Angeles for the Diwali celebration

Carina Tamayo from the Office of California Governor Gavin Newsom, joins BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Los Angeles for the Diwali celebration

Benjamin Nate from the Office of California Attorney General Rob Bonta, joins BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Los Angeles for the Diwali celebration

Farrah Khan, Mayor of Irvine, joins BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Los Angeles for the Diwali celebration

Devotees and community members offer their prayers during the Annakut

Diwali Celebrations at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Los Angeles

Devotees & community members offer prayers by performing the tradition of Shri Nilkanth Varni Abhishek

In the spirit of Diwali and service, devotees and community members participate in a blood drive to save lives

Devotees and community members receive prasad and meet with Swamis for Diwali blessings

Diwali Celebrations at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Los Angeles