Diwali Celebration

Saturday, November 2, 2013

5:00 pm to 12:00 midnight

Celebrate the magnificent festival of Diwali 

at Radha Madhav Dham 

and enlighten your heart with the flame of devotion to God.

Come with your family and friends and celebrate Diwali at Radha Madhav Dham on Saturday, November 2, 2013.   The very special Diwali program will include Dinner Maha Prasad, Sita Ram abhishek, satsang and Diwali speech by Sushree Diwakari Devi, cultural dances of India, a leela of Ram's return to Ayodha & meeting with Bharat, fireworks, outdoor dandia garba danced to a live band, indoor continuous chanting until Midnight.  Bhagwan Ram's midnight Arti will conclude the 2013 Diwali celebration. 

Program Schedule:

5:00 pm  :    Dinner Maha Prasad
6:30 pm  :   Sita Ram Abhishek
7:00 pm  :   Speech by Sushree Diwakari Devi
7:45 pm  :   Cultural Program and Ram leela
9:20 pm  :   Magnificent fireworks display
9:30 pm  :   Dandia Garba (dancing) outdoors on Maha Raas Mandal
                        along with chanting inside the Prayer Hall
12:00 am :  Offer Arti to Bhagwan Ram

Diwali, also called Deepavali, is one of the most popular Hindu festivals. It is known as the festival of lights, which stems from its origin. Bhagwan Ram (Who is a more formal form of Shree Krishna) had been away in the forest for 14 years, and was now returning home to the city of Ayodhya. The happiness of the residents of Ayodhya knew no bounds as they cleaned every corner of their homes and decorated every building in the entire city with diyas (lights) in anticipation of Ram's return. They wanted to welcome Him back with all their hearts. When Ram was entering the city, all the citizens wished to meet Him first. Seeing their desire, Ram multiplied Himself into as many forms as there were people and met them all simultaneously. Each person thought that Ram had come to them first. This was the scene as Ram returned to Ayodhya, and it is to commemorate this event that we decorate with lights on Diwali.

The use of lights on Diwali also carries a deeper philosophical meaning. Within each person's heart, there lies the potential for both good and evil. These qualities are called sattva and tam in Sanskrit and they represent light and darkness, respectively. Developing the sattvic quality of one's mind through good thoughts and actions, and through devotion to God, is like lighting up your heart, which drives away the darkness of tam. You can learn more about the true meaning of Diwali by reading English translation of a Diwali message delivered by Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj (Light on the Occasion of Deepavali part 1 and part 2)

When Radha and Krishna were on the earth planet, They also celebrated Diwali in a special way. They went to Mansi Ganga (a large holy pond near Govardhan hill) and placed floating diyas on the water from opposite sides of the pond. Then They, along with all the Gopis and Gwalbals, created waves with their hands, causing the diyas to cover the entire pond.

Rangeeli Mahal, Barsana

Barsana is the place of descension, where Shri Radha Rani appeared in Her absolute Divine beauty about 5,000 years ago. It is a sacred place of pilgrimage for devotees of both Radha and Krishna. The village surrounds a small hill where the main Temple of Radha Rani, Shriji Mandir, is situated. It is in the same location where Radha Rani's palace was located 5,000 years ago. In this holy land with the Grace of Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj, Rangeeli Mahal was founded in 1996. The stunning grounds have beautifully landscaped gardens, waterfalls, depictions of Radha Krisha leela, amongst other things. JKP Rangeeli Mahal is also the home to Kirti Mandir and Jagadguru Kripalu Chikitsalaya – Rangeeli Mahal.

Kirti Mandir
Presently under construction, this temple is unique because it is the only temple in the world that will depict Radha Rani in Her childhood form, cradled in the arms of Mother Kirti. The amazing temple will also feature a life-size deity of Radha Rani, the only one of its kind in Braj. The sandstone temple is being hand carved on site by the large number of temple artisans living at the ashram. The temple also will feature white marble carvings, and black granite columns. Construction work which began in 2007 is gradually but steadily progressing.

Jagadguru Kripalu Chikitsalaya – Barsana
The village of Barsana is located in a spiritually rich, but materially poor district of Braj. JKP opened a 100% free hospital in 2006 to fill the critical health care needs of this rural population. Since opening, the hospital has continually expanded. Hundreds of patients come each morning, and await treatment for the often fully curable diseases and afflictions they are suffering from. A full-service Eye Unit has been completed and surgeries are performed every day. A naturopathy and yoga wing has also been completed, which serves hundreds of patients a day. All services in addition to allopathic and homoeopathic medications are provided completely free of charge, regardless of the patient's ability to pay. The highly qualified doctors, nurses and medical staff are extremely dedicated to providing quality care to those who come to them. Visiting doctors and specialists from nearby cities in India, and from overseas also volunteer their expertise during their extended visits.

Satsang Bhawan The uniquely designed large Satsang Bhawan was built in the year 2000. This satsang hall provides a devotional atmosphere for devotees who visit the ashram every year from all over India. JKP Rangeeli Mahal is filled with Shri Maharaj Ji's association and satsang, devotional chanting and discourses throughout the year. Amongst other festivals and celebration, thousands of devotees flood the ashram during Guru Purnima and during the joyous celebration and all-night chanting on Radhashtami (the appearance day of Radha Rani).