Rajkot: Maha Annakoot festival organized at BAPS Swaminarayan Temple, more than 1500 dishes were served.

Rajkot, October 22 (IANS). A grand Maha Annakoot Utsav was organized on the occasion of the auspicious beginning of Vikram Samvat 2082 at BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Rajkot, Uttarakhand. In this festival, more than 1,500 types of dishes were offered to the Lord, through which the message of vegetarianism was given. Preparations for this big event have been going on for the past one month. More than 4,000 volunteers worked tirelessly to prepare a variety of delicious dishes. This grand Annakoot festival is organized from morning to evening, in which the people of Rajkot are cordially invited to have darshan of the Lord and consume the Prasad. The occasion showed religious zeal as well as the spirit of unity and service. Speaking to IANS, Apoorvamuni Swami, priest of the Rajkot Swaminarayan Temple, said that the new year begins according to our Sanatan Hindu tradition. Wednesday is the first day of the year. On this day every Hindu must visit God and offer something to him. Thousands of devotees visit BAPS Swaminarayan temples across the country on Wednesday and offer offerings to the Lord. They also serve plates with gusto. More than 1,500 dishes are offered to the Lord at the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Rajkot. He told that the whole temple was decorated. Rangoli is installed at various places, which looks very attractive. This Annakoot festival shows reverence for God. This Annakoot festival inspires people to be vegetarian. Along with this, this festival also gives the message of living together for all castes and all religions. The priest said that we pray to God that the whole year will remain good for everyone and that there will be an atmosphere of peace in the country. There should be no war anywhere in the country; wherever it happens, it must end. May God keep everyone happy. –IANS SAK/AS Share this story Tags