The sacred festival of Annakut and Govardhan Puja was celebrated with joy, devotion and fervor on Tuesday at Swaminarayan Akshardham Mandir. On this occasion, a grand Annakut offering of 1,256 pure sattvik vegetarian dishes was presented before Bhagwan.
Annakut means “a mountain of food.” This festival is a day to express gratitude for the food, wealth and prosperity bestowed upon us by God. In many states of north-western India, this day also marks the beginning of the New Year. The celebration began with Shri Govardhan Puja, performed according to the Vedic shodashopachar rite.
A symbolic replica of Govardhan Parvat had been created in the mandir courtyard, incorporating soil from the sacred Govardhan Hill.
After the puja concluded, the Annakut darshan opened to devotees at 12 noon, and thousands of devotees from across the country took part in it. The visual spectacle of the Annakut featured delicacies such as ghevar, laddu, peda and halwa, savories such as sev-mathri, a variety of vegetable dishes, dals and rice preparations,
fruits, assorted beverages and juices; and modern bakery items, all prepared at mandir with devotion.
Every dish was artistically arranged. On this occasion, Sadhu Munivatsal Das, the chief swami of Delhi Akshardham, said, “Upholding the divine tradition that has continued since the time of Bhagwan Swaminarayan, BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha celebrates Annakut in more than 1,800 mandirs around the world with immense devotion and unity.
It is a symbol of the tireless service of hundreds of volunteers and the spirit of devotional community life.”In his message, His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj extended New Year greetings to all followers and blessed them with well-being in body, mind and wealth.
He also prayed that everyone’s life be blessed with the panchamrut of ishtanishtha (devotion to God), gurunishtha (devotion to the guru), siddhantanishtha (adherence to principles), dharmanishtha (adherence to dharma) and sampnistha (adherence to unity).
To mark the occasion, the entire mandir complex was decorated with colorful rangolis, glowing lamps, and flowers and garlands. Devotees continued to throng the mandir for annakut darshan until late evening.