Manav Seva Mandir, Bensenville, IL celebrates Diwali and Govardhan Puja, holds ‘Darshana’ exhibition

October 31, 2022

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Hundreds of devotees attended the Manav Seva Mandir, Bensenville, IL celebration of Diwali and Govardhan Puja, October 29, 2022. Photo: Manav Seva Mandir

The Manav Seva Mandir in Bensenville, IL celebrated Diwali and Govardhan Puja for the Hindu new year Vikram Samvat 2079 on Saturday, Oct 29, 2022. The event included decorated Annakut Utsav.

More than 350 devotees attended the event, a press release from the organization said.

Govardhan Puja, also known as Annakut (Mountain of food) is a Hindu festival in which devotees worship Govardhan mountain to express their gratitude to Lord Krishna. As per Bhagavat Purana, the people of Vrindavan used to celebrate worship of Indra for good rainfall. Krishna didn’t approve of this and advised them to worship only one Purna Parmatma . This made Indra Bhagvan angry and he initiated heavy rain in the area. To protect his devotees Krishna lifted the Govardhan Mountain on his left-hand little finger and provided shelter to all. Ultimately Indra Bhagvan realized his mistake and surrendered to Paramatma Krishna.

Annakut – food offerings to the gods at the Manav Seva Mandir, Bensenville, IL celebration of Diwali and Govardhan Puja, October 29, 2022. Photo: Manav Seva Mandir

Govardhan has since become a major pilgrimage site in Brij to devotees of Krishna. On the day of Annakut, devotees circumambulate the Hill and offer food to the Mountain.

The main sponsors of Govardhan Puja were Mahesh and Geeta Shah and Pradeep and Bharti Patel. The Puja rituals and ceremony were conducted by two priests – Yugesh Joshi and Ketan Jani. The event also included bhajans, aarti, prayers, Hanuman Chalisa, Madhurasthkam, and Shlokas.

An exhibition entitled ‘DARSHANA’ by the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, was also held at the Manav Seva Mandir Oct. 29, 2022. Photo: Manav Seva Mandir

As a part of Hindu Heritage month celebration Manav Seva Mandir held the display of Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh inspired DARSHANA Exhibition. Vineet Gaurav and Nishant Limbachia from HSS, Chicago chapter, helped with the display. There were many new families interested in learning the Vedic Sanatan knowledge, organizers said in the press release, quoting some visitors, including students, who expressed their appreciation.

Manav Seva Mandir is actively participating in SEWA-Diwali Food Drive and started collecting the items their team plans to donate to the local food pantry in a few weeks, the press release said.