Diwali Celebrations at YSS Noida Ashram - October 19, 2017
As a tradition, devotees in Noida and surrounding areas converge at YSS Noida Ashram on the evening of Diwali for a special programme. This year, too, a special group meditation was conducted on this occasion by Swami Lalitanandaji, followed by lighting of lamps and distribution of prasad.
Earlier on October 16, 2017, presents and sweets were distributed by Swami Lalitanandaji to the staff members of YSS Noida Ashram. Similarly, staff of Delhi Kendra and Gurgaon Kendra also received Diwali gifts the same day.
A special three-hour-long Diwali Meditation was conducted at Noida Ashram on October 18 that was concluded with soulful bhajans sung by Brahmachari Dhairyanandaji.
The next day, October 19, was Diwali. In the late afternoon, fifty children from Paramahansa Yogananda Swarna Bal Vatika received winter clothing as presents from YSS Noida Ashram from the hands of Swami Lalitanandaji. Swamiji also received the warmth and love of these bright kids in the form of a card and greetings. Children of all ages from this Noida-based school for the underprivileged which is supported by YSS are regularly seen at the major YSS children’s celebrations as well as Diwali, when they sing Cosmic Chants and meditate at the YSS Noida Ashram.
In the evening, devotees from Noida attended a special Group Meditation for one and a half hours led by Swami Lalitanandaji. Later, all present joined in the Diwali celebrations by lighting diyas (lamps) on the night of no moon.
Sweets and snacks were distributed to the devotees present.
It was quite a breathtaking sight when the entire Noida Ashram campus was beautifully lit up with electric lights.
Diwali celebration For Children - Oct 14, 2017
The festival of lights was also celebrated by the Children Satsanga of YSS Noida Ashram on October 14, 2017. Floral decorations and rangoli adorned the picture of Gurudeva Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda.
With almost fifty children in attendance, the programme was conducted in a hall created temporarily at the Ashram Pandal for this celebration.
Brahmachari Vinayanandaji lit the lamp and opened the Diwali programme with a prayer, followed by chanting of ‘Listen to My Soul Song.’
Brahmachariji narrated the story of the return from exile of Lord Rama with his wife Sita and brother Laxman to Ayodhya after fourteen years. Sharing several other mythological tales related to the celebration of Diwali, he guided the children towards gaining an understanding that one must “light the lamp of God and Guruji’s love in our hearts.”
Children got to hear Guruji’s chant “Light the Lamp of Thy Love” in the voice of SRF Nuns, and they tried to sing along as the mood was uplifted in the hall. Screening a video on Diwali illustrating the ideal way to celebrate this big festival of Lights.
With a blank sheet and pencils, Brahmachariji demonstrated to the little ones how they could sketch a deepak (lamp) and shade it, inspiring them to do the same. The children willingly obliged and what resulted were lamps carrying the greetings of Diwali to Guruji.
The Diwali greetings thus prepared were offered at the feet of Guruji in place of flower petals as the programme drew to a close.
After the closing prayer, the participants received chocolates and lamps to light later at their home altars on Diwali along with prayers for themselves and for others.
