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Diwali & Annakut Celebration 2024, Los Angeles, CA, USA

2 Nov 2024

Diwali at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Los Angeles, commences with devotees arriving for darshan of the sacred images.

A beautiful lotus-themed 'Happy Diwali' greets visitors for the multi-day Diwali festival at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Los Angeles.

Pujya Divyacharandas Swami, Head Swami of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Los Angeles, performs Hanuman Pujan on Kali Chaudas.

Pujya Divyacharandas Swami applies kumkum during Hanuman Pujan on Kali Chaudas.

On the evening of Diwali, the community gathers for Sharda Pujan to offer prayers to Shri Saraswatiji.

Volunteers welcome devotees to Sharda Pujan.

Devotees sing melodious kirtans to offer bhakti on the occasion of Sharda Pujan.

On the evening of Diwali, the community gathers for Sharda Pujan.

Pujya Divyacharandas Swami offers sweets to Shri Akshar Purushottam Maharaj during the mahapuja for Sharda Pujan.

On the evening of Diwali, the community gathers for Sharda Pujan to offer prayers to Shri Saraswatiji.

Pujya Divyacharandas Swami performs arti during the Sharda Pujan.

On the evening of Diwali, the community gathers for Sharda Pujan.

Pujya Divyacharandas Swami showers grains of rice, sanctifying account books during the mahapuja.

On the early auspicious morning of the New Year, the mandir is illuminated with diyas (lamps) during mangala arti.

The mandir is decorated creating a festive atmosphere.

A cool, crisp New Year morning with a golden sunrise shining on the mandir.

Shri Akshar Purushottam Maharaj adorned in vibrant attire in celebration of the New Year.

Shri Ghanshyam Maharaj adorned in vibrant attire in celebration of the New Year.

Shri Radha-Krishna Bhagwan and Shri Harikrishna Maharaj adorned in vibrant attire in celebration of the New Year.

Pujya Swamis greet devotees and offer blessings for the New Year.

Devotees line up, their hearts full of devotion and love, as they prepare to offer prayers to the sacred images on New Year's Day.

A grand, traditional annakut is offered to the sacred images of Shri Akshar Purushottam Maharaj. It is the fruit of hundreds of devotees preparing fresh, vegetarian delicacies to offer to God.

A grand, traditional annakut offered to the sacred images of Shri Akshar Purushottam Maharaj.

A grand, traditional annakut offered to the sacred image of Shri Ghanshyam Maharaj.

A grand, traditional annakut offered to the sacred images of Shri Ghanshyam Maharaj.

A grand, traditional annakut offered to the sacred images of Shri Radha-Krishna Bhagwan & Shri Harikrishna Maharaj.

A grand, traditional annakut offered to the sacred images of Bhagwan Shri Ram, Shri Sitaji, and Shri Hanumanji.

A grand, traditional annakut offered to the sacred images of Bhagwan Shri Uma-Shankar and Shri Ganeshji.

A grand, traditional annakut offered to the sacred image of Brahmaswarup Bhagatji Maharaj.

A grand, traditional annakut offered to the sacred image of Brahmaswarup Shashtriji Maharaj.

A grand, traditional annakut offered to the sacred image of Brahmaswarup Yogiji Maharaj.

A grand, traditional annakut offered to the sacred image of Brahmaswarup Pramukh Swami Maharaj Maharaj.

A grand, traditional annakut offered to the sacred image of His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj Maharaj.

A grand, traditional annakut offered to the sacred image of Shri Nilkanth Varni Maharaj.

Shri Jaydeepbhai Swadia joins devotees in offering the annakut food to God by singing thal, a Hindu bhakti tradition.

Pujya Swamis and devotees offer the annakut food to God by singing thal.

Pujya Swamis perform Govardhan Pujan

Pujya Swamis perform arti of the sacred images on the auspicious day of the New Year.

Children perform arti of the sacred images on the auspicious day of the New Year.

A home made out of edible items by BAPS youth as an annakut offering to the sacred images of God.

Devotees offer the annakut food to God by singing thal.

Devotees perform arti of the sacred images on the auspicious day of the New Year.

Devotees and visitors do darshan of the annakut.

Some of the food items offered to God.

Devotees and visitors do darshan of the annakut.

Pujya Narayanmurtidas Swami joined other Pujya Swamis in meeting with thousands of community members to offer prayers, blessings and counsel on the occasion of Diwali and New Year.

As a part of the 3-day Community Diwali Festival, visitors make their way to see 'Suvarna & The Secrets of the Sea,' an ‘under-the-sea’ theatrical production with an all-female cast!

As a part of the 3-day Community Diwali Festival, over 200 children, youth, and adults of BAPS came together to put on 'Suvarna & The Secrets of the Sea,' an ‘under-the-sea’ theatrical production with an all-female cast and the cornerstone of the Community Diwali Celebration.

Visitors closely watch the adventure in 'Suvarna & The Secrets of the Sea,' an ‘under-the-sea’ theatrical production with an all-female cast.

Suvarna and her friends rejoice in their friendship during 'Suvarna & The Secrets of the Sea.'

The octopus in 'Suvarna & The Secrets of the Sea' is protecting the pearl of wisdom that Suvarna is searching for.

Suvarna returns from a dangerous mission with the pearl of wisdom necessary to defeat her bully, Warangana the whale.

Suvarna and her friends are filled with confidence and joy after learning about His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj's key pearl of wisdom - 'Hard Work + Prayer = Success'

Devotees and visitors enjoying the spiritual and cultural experience of the 3-day Community Diwali Festival at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Los Angeles.

Through a new exhibition, visitors learn about the history of BAPS in North America as BAPS celebrates its 50th anniversary.

Visitors learn about the earthquake-absorbing base isolators installed at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Los Angeles.

Through a new exhibition, visitors learn about critical youth development efforts spearheaded by BAPS in North America over the last 50 years.

Through a new exhibition, visitors learn about critical youth development efforts spearheaded by BAPS in North America over the last 50 years. In this display case is a basketball sanctified by His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj for the 2015 Basketball Tournaments hosted by the BAPS Youth Wing.

Through a new exhibition, visitors learn about the history of BAPS in North America as BAPS celebrates 50 years of mandirs, culture, service, youth development and inspiration.

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Los Angeles was honored to be joined by Congresswoman Norma Torres. She represents California's 35th Congressional District that is home to the mandir.

Congresswoman Young Kim (CA-40) joins the Diwali Celebration.

Congressman Lou Correa (CA-46) joins the Diwali Celebration.

Congressman Mark Takano (CA-39) joins the Diwali Celebration.

The Consul General of Paraguay in Los Angeles, Mr. Manuel Ruiz Diaz, and his family pause for a prayer inside the mandir during their visit to the Community Diwali Festival.

The Deputy Consul General of France in Los Angeles, Mr. Dimitri Demianenko, and his spouse received a tour of the mandir during their visit to the Community Diwali Festival.

Devotees and visitors arrive to celebrate Diwali during the 3-day Community Diwali Festival at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Los Angeles.

At this year's festival, a vibrant Kids' Zone, informative Diwali Activity Booths, and a diverse Community Stage offered visitors a way to celebrate Diwali with their families and community members.

To channel the BAPS and Diwali value of service, an important aspect of the festival, BAPS offered community members a chance to add themselves to the Bone Marrow and Stem Cell registries, increasing the chances to save more lives.

As a part of the Community Stage at the three-day Community Diwali Festival, BAPS Youth performed the beloved 'Krishna Leela.'

BAPS Youth performed many cultural dances as part of the Community Stage at the three-day Community Diwali Festival.

As a part of the Community Stage at the three-day Community Diwali Festival, BAPS Youth performed the beloved 'Krishna Leela.'

As part of the Community Stage at the three-day Community Diwali Festival, a diverse group of community artists, Indian organizations, and groups celebrated Diwali by expressing their love through their art.

BAPS Youth performed many cultural dances as part of the Community Stage at the three-day Community Diwali Festival.

Visitors at the festival are overcome with joy and emotion as they witness the values of Diwali on display through the tapestry of diversity on the Community Stage.

The thrilling rides at the Kids Zone at the three-day Community Festival brought joy to thousands of families and people of all ages.

Visitors fill in a 'rangoli', a celebratory Diwali tradition as a part of the Diwali Activity Booths at the three-day Community Diwali Festival.

Visitors channel the BAPS and Diwali value of service by assembling a care kit of essentials for the unhoused as a part of the Diwali Activity Booths at the 3-day Community Diwali Festival.

Visitors taste traditional food, a key component of Diwali, at the Community Diwali Festival.

Devotees offer prayers through the tradition of Shri Nilkanth Varni Abhishek, in which one pours water over the sacred image of God as prayer.

The mandir lights up the night as it prepares for the 'Diwali Light & Sound Spectacular,' one of Southern California's most beloved Diwali traditions.

BAPS Youth perform maha arti as an opportunity for festival-goers to offer prayers before the 'Diwali Light & Sound Spectacular.'

The mandir lights up the night during the 'Diwali Light & Sound Spectacular.'

The faces of devotees and visitors alike light up with joy and a renewed sense of hope in humanity during the 'Diwali Light and Sound Spectacular.'

Visitors enjoy the 'Diwali Light and Sound Spectacular.'

The mandir lights up the night during the 'Diwali Light & Sound Spectacular.'