Tag: temples

National

Ayodhya Prepares for a Grand Deepotsav 2025 with 2.8 Million Lamps and a 32-Foot Pushpak Viman

Tanisha Cardozo

Ayodhya is preparing for one of the grandest Deepotsav celebrations ever witnessed, as the temple town gears up to illuminate 56 ghats along the Sarayu River with a stunning 2.8 million earthen lamps. Scheduled for Deepavali 2025, this year’s Deepotsav promises to be a spiritual and visual extravaganza, blending devotion, tradition, and community participation.

A striking feature of the festivities this year will be the installation of a 32-foot-tall Pushpak Viman at Ram Ki Paidi. This massive structure, inspired by the celestial vehicle of Lord Ram as described in the Ramayana, will showcase key scenes from the epic in a way that brings mythology to life. It offers a unique, immersive experience for pilgrims and visitors, adding a new cultural dimension to the festival.

To bring this event to life, more than 33,000 volunteers—including students, teachers, and residents—have come together to prepare the ghats and streets of Ayodhya. From arranging lamps to assisting with safety protocols, their collective spirit reflects the deep pride the city holds in celebrating Ram’s return to Ayodhya, now symbolically reenacted each year through Deepotsav.

The event is not only spiritual but meticulously organized. Volunteers are issued ID cards and festival T-shirts, and access to the ghats is tightly controlled to maintain safety. Food safety teams are also deployed to ensure hygienic conditions for visitors. Local administration is leaving no stone unturned to make this celebration safe, inclusive, and memorable.

In line with the broader cultural ethos, saints and local leaders are promoting Swadeshi products this year, urging people to light locally made earthen lamps and support artisans. As Saint Diwakaracharya Ji Maharaj noted, “Shri Ram has been seated in the grand Ram Temple after 500 years, and this Diwali promises to be truly remarkable.” He emphasized using indigenous products and highlighted the massive community effort that makes Deepotsav special—not only for Ayodhya, but for all of India.

Adding to the spiritual energy, Mahamandaleshwar Vishnu Das Ji Maharaj described the traditional rituals marking the start of Deepotsav. From the Swasti mantras to the lighting of the first diya for Lord Ram and the Saryu River, each act is steeped in symbolism and reverence. Diyas are also lit for Hanuman Ji, Mata Adi Shakti, Sita Ji, and the Ram Darbar, marking a complete spiritual circle that defines the essence of Deepavali.

As thousands prepare to witness the light of millions of diyas dancing on the waters of the Sarayu, the celebration in Ayodhya stands as a glowing tribute not only to Lord Ram but to the collective spirit of a city deeply connected to its roots. Deepotsav 2025 is not just a festival—it is a living narrative of culture, community, and unwavering devotion.

#faith

Vailankanni’s Annual Feast Begins: A Spiritual Journey for Thousands of Devotees from Goa and Beyond

Tanisha Cardozo

The annual feast of Our Lady of Good Health in Vailankanni, Tamil Nadu, has begun, marking the start of 10 days of devotion, prayer, and celebration. This sacred event, which attracts thousands of faithful devotees from across India and the world, is especially significant for the many pilgrims who journey from Goa each year.

The festivities began with the traditional flag-hoisting ceremony, signaling the commencement of the religious celebrations. For the next nine days, the grounds of the Basilica will be filled with Novena prayers and Holy Masses as devotees come to seek blessings, express their gratitude, and strengthen their faith. Each year, pilgrims from all walks of life undertake this sacred journey, some traveling in large groups by packed trains, bound for Tamil Nadu. Among these are hundreds of devoted pilgrims from Goa, some of whom make this trip as part of a longstanding family tradition.

For Maria Fernandes, a pilgrim from Margao, the Vailankanni feast is more than just a religious event. “Coming to Vailankanni every year fills my heart with peace,” she says. “It’s not just about seeking blessings; it’s about feeling connected to Our Lady and sharing this faith with thousands of others.”

The Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health, often referred to as the “Lourdes of the East,” is renowned not only for its stunning architecture but also for the countless miracles reported by devotees. It has become a beacon of hope for those seeking healing, comfort, and divine intercession. The shrine is visited by pilgrims with a variety of petitions and thanksgiving offerings, each one seeking to deepen their connection with the divine.

The celebrations will culminate on September 8, with the Feast of the Nativity of Mary—one of the most significant days in the Marian liturgical calendar. On this day, special Holy Masses and solemn processions will take place, drawing even larger crowds to the Basilica. The streets of Vailankanni will come alive with prayers, hymns, and cultural programs, creating an atmosphere of devotion, unity, and joy.

Local authorities, along with church organizers, have made elaborate arrangements to accommodate the massive influx of devotees, ensuring smooth transportation, safety, and accommodation throughout the feast period. For the pilgrims, this annual journey is not just about visiting a holy place but about renewing their faith, seeking blessings for their loved ones, and experiencing a deep sense of community.

As the feast continues until September 8, the Basilica of Vailankanni remains a powerful symbol of unwavering faith, drawing people together in prayer and gratitude. Vailankanni’s place as one of Asia’s most revered Marian shrines is firmly established, and the celebrations this year only reinforce its enduring spiritual significance.