Diwali gifts for the poor. Vrindavan, Wednesday: The Braj Golok Seva Samiti, which also runs a charitable crematorium, distributed sweets to the poor and gave gifts to children from impoverished families. Samiti chairman, Bhagwan Das Chaudhary, told reporters that the organization decided to distribute sweets because, “we do not feel like resting and enjoying Diwali unless everyone can enjoy the festivities”. Read more (Hindi)
Clik here to view.
P.C. WIkimedi
Bihariji Goswamis discourage deep daan. Every year on Diwali, thousands of Brijwasis do their deep daan offering at Banke Bihari temple, before returning home to offer lamps to their own Thakurji. This year, the tradition is being disturbed by the temple management, who are struggling to ensure safety for the huge number of visitors that the temple attracts. Temple manager, Munish Sharma, said that there is no need for individuals to do their own offerings because lamps are offered to Bihariji by the temple authorities and visitors to the temple share the benefit. Read more (Hindi)
Clik here to view.
P.C. Jagran
Yamuna activism in lead up to Yama Dwitiya. In the lead up to Yama Dwitiya, preparations are being made to facilitate the millions of pilgrims who will bathe in Yamuna. Yama Dwitiya is one of the most auspicious days of the year for snan because it is believed that Yamuna Devi can save people from being punished by her brother, Yamraj. As people become more and more aware of Vrindavan’s potential to as a tourist and pilgrimage destination, which should be the pride of India, more and more individuals and organizations are adding their voice to the cry of “Save Yamuna!” Today, Jagran is running a story about the poor state of the bathing ghats. Questions are being raised about why the cleaning campaigns and development work never seem to make progress. Read more on Yama Dwitiya (English)
Clik here to view.
P.C. Margavp
Diwali: Festival of inner light. Today, all over India, people are cleaning and decorating their homes in preparation for the anniversary Lord Ram’s re-entrance to his kingdom in Ayodhya. In Braj, many people live with the bare minimum, but today, the owners of the biggest mansions, and those living on the side of the road, all have something in common: all are cleaning and decorating whatever shelter they call ‘home’. It is quite an amazing sight, when, despite living in poverty, jopedi vallas take time out of their struggle-to-make-ends-meet to decorate, to celebrate, to worship, and to be with family. Whatever we do to celebrate Diwali, the different rituals and family traditions all have this idea in common: that if we roll out the welcome carpet at the door of our hearts, the Lord will enter. Read more (English)
The post Today’s Digest: Diwali charity; Yamuna activism; Bihariji’s lamps, and more… appeared first on Vrindavan Today.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
