India is a land of festivals but this is not to say that these festivals are bounded by its territory. In the globalised world where everything is defying boundaries festivals too have found their way out. The festivals of colours Holi was celebrated along with Indian New Year at United Kingdom. The event was organised on 3rd April 2016, by UK branch of Divya Jyoti Jagrati Sansthan, a socio-spiritual organisation with its head office in India and branches spread across the India and overseas.
The audience gathered in large number to take part in the event with the theme “Indian New Year amalgamated with Holi”, at the venue Divya Bhawan, London, United Kingdom. The event was marked by the presence of distinguished dignitaries:
- Dharmacharya Bankim Gosai Ji, Trustee-Maha Laxmi Vidya Bhawan, Manor Park, London
- Dr Sangeeta Rathore General Practitioner-Alenby Clinic
- Angela Jha & Ray Monghan Co-founders Milan Fashion
Sri Ashutosh Maharaj Ji, founder and head of Divya Jyoti Jagrati Sansthan, lays emphasis on the science and reason behind Indian culture and its various festivals and practices. Spirituality is not exclusive of science. Spirituality is the science of life marked by logic, reason and experience. It was also marked by distinct union with nature making man a part of the creation and not arrogant master of all life forms. Indian culture since prehistoric times has carried this science along, giving it a wide set of epics, events, practices, festivals and art form.
The event began by discussing several similar events across the world. This was indicative of the common human nature that is to love one another despite multitude of existence. Holi has its regional variants across India. The unique nature of the festival is colouring each other to mark love they share by forgiving and forgetting their past.
Melodious and meaningful heart soothing bhajans were sung which captured the interest of the audience. This was followed by a talk by one of the guest of the event, Dharmacharya Bankim Gosai Ji, Trustee of Maha Laxmi Vidya Bhawan, Manor Park, London.
The event followed with Brother Kabir Ji, disciple of Sri Ashutosh Maharaj Ji, who explained the significance of celebrating the Indian New Year in the modern times. Indian New Year too has regional variants across India. In northern plains it is called as Vikram Samvat celebrated on Chaitra Shukala Pratipada. In Southern region it is celebrated as Yugadi, Gudi Padwa. It is marked by religious zeal and social merriment, indicating a cyclic process of human existence in which the old is washed off while the new is welcomed gaiety.
In these modern times, there is a need to share and revive the science of spirituality to emancipate us from devastating global issues. The first step to the science of spirituality is Brahm Gyan, which is bestowed by a Guru on His disciplines so that their journey on the path of spirituality is guided and guarded against all pitfalls and challenges. The audience were captivated by the event due to its sticking feature of describing the modern day needs while narrating the relevant cultural practices which has evolved since prehistoric times.
The event also carried a demonstration of the Story of Prahalad and explanation by Sadhvi Bhaktipriya Bharti Ji, daughter disciple of Sri Ashutosh Maharaj Ji. Prahalad exhibited undeterred faith in his goal to attain the Divine love of Shri Hari. It led lord to materialize from a stone pillar. In all religions Lord is considered to be Omniscient, Omnipotent and Omnipresent. If anything fails Him from manifesting is the lack of faith, love and surrender in us.
Celebrating festival of Holi in India and across the world marks the possibility of sharing of love for mankind across regional diversity and differences. In addition, combining it with Indian New Year opens a new opportunity to let go off what was sours in mutual coexistence and welcome the new prospect of revived engagement.
