Diwali is the festival of light marking the final day of the Hindu calendar. The festival signifies the victory of light over darkness, and it inspires a joyous and peaceful environment while those who celebrate ring in the New Year. Maninagar Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan temples across North America celebrated the Diwali and New Year festival. Disciples gathered to offer prayers and grand annakuts to Supreme Lord Shree Swaminarayanbapa Swamibapa and observe the auspicious occasion. 

On Saturday, October 21st, 2017, disciples of Shree Swaminarayan Temple - Bear, Delaware, celebrated Diwali and New Year with the Delaware community. They evening event commenced at 4 PM with the unveiling of the great annakut (mountain of food) offered to Supreme Lord Shree Swaminarayanbapa Swamibapa. The visual display featured assorted sweets and dishes intricately arranged and decorated. The food display was complemented by various murtis of His Divine Holiness Acharya Swamishree enjoying various items and a large rangoli design.

Disciples performed kirtan-bhakti and listened to the divine blessings of Jeevanpran Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa for the New Year. All disciples and guests then performed samuh annaku -aarti before a live samuh-raas program. The samuh-raas concluded with timli, and then everyone was served dinner and annakut prasad. To conclude the celebrations, disciples and community members did fireworks, from sparklers to grand displays, to light up the night sky and ring in the New Year together.