Hindus celebrate Diwali at Bartlett temple
The BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Bartlett, one of the biggest Hindu temples in the suburbs, marked the religious festival of Diwali — known as the festival of lights — and New Year for many north Indians in a big way Thursday.
Diwali, one of the most important Hindu festivals of the year, is typically observed by ritual prayer in homes and temples, family gatherings, consuming mounds of sweets, wearing new clothes, giftgiving, lighting of clay oil lamps or candles, and fireworks.
The festival signifies the triumph of good over evil, symbolized by the lighting of oil lamps to rid the darkness and firecrackers to drive away evil spirits.
A sadhu makes his way past the food laid out for the arti — a ritual ceremonial prayer to Hindu gods — during Diwali festivities at BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Bartlett.
Bob Chwedyk/bchwedyk@dailyherald.com
Sadhus or ascetics, who dedicate their lives to god, perform an arti, or ritual ceremonial prayer to the Hindu gods, during Diwali festivities at BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Bartlett.
Bob Chwedyk/bchwedyk@dailyherald.com
Members of the congregation pray with the Sadhus during the arti, or ritual ceremonial prayer to the Hindu gods, during Diwali festivities at BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Bartlett.
Bob Chwedyk/bchwedyk@dailyherald.com
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