The gorgeous grounds of Seth Bansidhar Jalan Smriti Mandir, Howrah, came to life with divine brightness and devotion on the auspicious occasion of Dev Deepawali. As devotees flocked to the banks of the sacred Ganga to commemorate this holy occasion, the temple complex, decorated with flowers and hundreds of blazing lamps, shimmered beautifully.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, Param Pujya Chidanand Muni Saraswati Ji, President of Parmarth Niketan, Rishikesh, was unable to attend in person. The ceremony was nevertheless conducted with a great deal of splendor and passion.

The event was graced by eminent guests like Shri Radhe Shyam G. Goenka, Chairman of Emami Group and Trustee of the temple, Shri Lakshmi Niwas Bangar, and Mrs. Alka Bangar.

Students from the temple’s Sanskrit school and Acharya Dilip Ji from Rishikesh sang heartfelt bhajans, kirtans, and havan to start the evening. Ten young Vedic scholars and Acharya Ram Roop Mishra, principal of Shanti Devi International Vedic School, led a captivating Vedic chanting session at the event, which was well received by the crowd.

Swami Chidanand Muni Saraswati Ji spoke to the group via Zoom despite being unable to attend in person. He gave a motivational speech highlighting the value of culture, spirituality, yoga, and environmental awareness. He exhorted everyone to continue their devotion to Maa Ganga, maintain her holiness and uninterrupted flow, and save the environment for the coming generations.

“The Ganga is our Sanatan Dharma’s lifeblood. We jeopardize not just our faith but our entire existence if we do not preserve her purity and flow. Protecting nature is protecting ourselves,” said Swami Chidanand Muni Saraswati Ji.

Thousands of devotees lit up the ghats with diyas and chants as the evening came to an end with a magnificent Ganga Aarti. The riverbed and temple complex were radiant with devotion and the holy spirit.

Now in its third year, this yearly celebration has grown to be one of Howrah’s most eagerly awaited spiritual occasions. The temple trustees pledged, with heavenly blessings, to go on hosting Dev Deepawali in the years to come in order to preserve the cultural legacy and the everlasting flame of Sanatan Dharma.

Priyanka Dutta