New Delhi: Annakut Pooja, also known by name of Govardhan Pooja, is a big moment of celebration at Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) mandirs across the globe.
On the auspicious occasion, the Swaminarayan Sampradaya organized an elaborate ‘Annakut Utsav’ at Gondal unit and other BAPS premises. Thousands of devotees flocked to the BAPS mandirs and offered prayers to Lord Swami Narayan.
The festival is celebrated by the community as the beginning of New year and therefore, those flocking to temples wish & greet each other by saying ‘Nutan Varsha Abhinandan’ and ‘Saal Mubarak’.
On the occasion, thousands of vegetarian delicacies are prepared at all BAPS mandirs and offered to the Lord.
Annakut, which practically means ‘mountain of food’ is offered to the Lord as a gesture of gratitude and thankfulness. Devotees visit the mandir in early morning and participate in the first aarti while greeting each other on the beginning of new year.
Annakut Utsav has a special importance in Hindu religion as it is an occasion to thank the Lord for all his blessings. The purpose behind the Utsav is to offer the first thing including the crop harvest to Lord himself and then consume it ourselves.
In BAPS Gondal too, the Annakut Utsav was celebrated with full fervor & gaiety and in presence of about half a million people.
A wholesome Annakut Utsav was organized in BAPS Gondal, where the devotees put more than 700 vegetable food items before the Bhagwaan. What made the event extra special was a replica of BAPS Temple, Abu Dhabi being displayed prominently for impressing upon others about the first Hindu mandir coming up in Gulf countries.
More than 30,000 – 40,000 people had assembled at the BAPS Gondal event, thereby making it a grand affair.
A replica of BAPS Delhi, BAPS Robbinsville (new Jersey) and Gandhinagar was also kept.
For the unversed, the palatable offering at BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in London, had made its into the Guiness Book of World Records, some years ago.
Notably, the BAPS Mandir coming up in Abu Dhabi will become the latest and most valued additions to BAPS temples around the world. It will be inaugurated by Mahant Swami Maharaj early next year.
