Diwali at SA Parliament House
In a true celebration of inclusivity and cultural appreciation, the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in
Green Fields SA in collaboration with Hindu Organizations, Temples and Associations (HOTA) Forum hosted the 2nd annual Diwali and Annakut celebration at the South Australian Parliament house.
The evening celebrations took place on 30th October 2024 hosted by Hon. Zoe Bettison, Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Tourism Minister, bringing together government officials and community leaders for an evening honoring the cultural and spiritual significance of Diwali through exhibits and cultural performances. Classical Indian dance was performed by the girls of “Kalanandhanam” – School of Dance, renowned for its exceptional dance instruction. The ‘Annakut’ arrangement featured an impressive spread of over 51 vegetarian homemade food items which included varieties of sweets, savories, fruits, and delicacies, meticulously prepared by BAPS volunteers.
The vibrant display of ‘Annakut’- Mountain of food was beautifully arranged symbolizing a collective prayer for peace, prosperity, and blessings for all. The Annakut display by BAPS at the South Australian Parliament marked a meaningful milestone in showcasing Hindu traditions within an esteemed government setting.
Kids Diwali Celebration
On 26th October 2024, BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Green Fields hosted a special “Kids Diwali Celebration.” The event offered a unique way for young attendees to experience Diwali’s rich cultural heritage through interactive, child-friendly activities and educational sessions.
Kids showcased talent through music, dance and skits reflecting Diwali’s themes of good over evil. The Kids Diwali celebration featured a variety of food stalls designed especially for children, adding to the festive spirit with delicious and colorful treats.
Each stall offered a selection of kid-friendly, traditional, and fusion snacks that allowed all young and old attendees to experience the flavors of Diwali in a fun and enjoyable way.
Diwali Celebration & Annakut
On 31st October 2024, a grand Diwali celebration was held, drawing over 2000 people, community members and guests for a festive evening. The evening began with a Diwali puja led by Pujya Tilakmuni Swami & Pujya Nirvedhmuni Swami. A stunning firework show lit up the sky, symbolizing light’s victory over darkness and bringing the celebration to an unforgettable close.
Present amongst the invited guests to experience the joy of this festival was the Premier of South Australia Hon. Peter Malinauskas who was very impressed with kids of BAPS playing various musical instruments and reciting shlokas (Sanskrit verses).
In his remarks, Premier Malinauskas acknowledged Diwali’s significance, not only for Hindu communities but also for fostering harmony, peace, and understanding across all backgrounds in South Australia. Amongst the panel of invited guests who joined the celebration were Hon. Zoe Bettison MP – Minister for Tourism and Multicultural Affairs; Mr. Amarjit Grewal – Deputy Chair of the South Australian Multicultural Commission; Mayor Gillian Aldridge – City of Salisbury; Mayor Glenn Docherty – City of Playford; Mayor Claire Boan – City of Port Adelaide Enfield; Mayor Marijka Ryan – City of Tea Tree Gully; Deputy Mayor John Flynn – Campbelltown City Council;
Cr. Chad Buchanan – Deputy Mayor for City of Salisbury; Mr. John Fulbrook MP – Member for Playford;
Mr. Tony Zappia MP – Member for Makin; Councilors from 6 different councils and various community leaders.
Observed the day after Diwali, the Annakut festival marking the Hindu New Year was held on Saturday 02nd November featuring a magnificent array of food offerings in honor of deities. More than 1000 vegetarian homemade food items, from sweets and savories to fruits and delicacies were prepared by volunteers and displayed as a beautiful, vibrant offering at the temples shrine.
At the event, a Red Cross van facilitated blood donations, with 31 individuals contributing, thereby potentially saving 93 lives in a single day. The event concluded with Aarti and the attendees enjoyed prasad (blessed food) reinforcing the spirit of community sharing and togetherness.
About BAPS
Established in 1907, the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha is a global non-governmental Hindu socio-spiritual
organization in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. BAPS
Swaminarayan Sanstha reaches out to everyone through its mandirs and centers. These are places of
worship and permanent centers of peace and reformation for people of all ages, backgrounds and
beliefs.
Spread across the world, the BAPS Global Network is composed of more than 1100 mandirs
and 3,850 centers. In Australia, BAPS has representative centers (temples) in some of the major cities,
including Canberra, Sydney, Perth, Melbourne, Adelaide and Brisbane.
Under the leadership and guidance of the current president of BAPS, His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj,
BAPS is dedicated to the collective spiritual and social progress of society by promoting harmony between
individuals, within families and amongst diverse communities.
Visit our global website at www.baps.org/adelaide for further information on BAPS Australia in Adelaide.
You may also visit our global websites for additional information about BAPS and its activities:
www.baps.org; https://research.baps.org/.
