“This Diwali Day, The Good Will Rise Over The Evil.
Bringing A Million Lights Of Joy And Happiness To All,
Reaching And Illuminating Every Life, Spreading Peace And Happiness Around Us all. Heartiest Wishes For A Wonderful Diwali Day”
Diwali Message from Prime Minister-David Cameron:
As the world celebrates the festival of lights let us all embrace the true spirit of Diwali: the victory of light over darkness, and hope over despair. When we hear so much about tragedy and misery in our world it is at times like Diwali that we can reflect on all the incredibly positive and generous things that people and communities do for others. Diwali also shines a light on Britain’s Indian community and allows us to think about the astonishing contribution they have made to our country. And this is not just about what we all see and benefit from today: the businesses they run, the jobs they create and the great public and professional services they provide. It is a contribution that goes back many years. As we commemorate a century since the outbreak of the First World War we recall a conflict in which hundreds of thousands of men from India travelled far from home to help the Allies defeat tyranny in the fight for the freedoms we enjoy today. I am sure that as Diwali is celebrated here in Britain many people will be thinking about their loved ones in India, underlining the people to people connections between our 2 great countries. So whether you are in the UK or India, whether you are Hindu, Sikh or Jains – to everyone celebrating the festival of lights around the world I wish you a very peaceful and happy Diwali.
Diwali message from Labour Party Leader-Ed Miliband:
“I am delighted to send my best wishes to British Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists who are celebrating Diwali. The Festival of Lights is the celebration of good over evil. It celebrates the homecoming of Lord Rama and in the symbolic lighting of the lamps, reminds us that we must all join together to build a stronger society that is founded on the values of peace, community and prosperity for all – values that are shared by the Labour Party. The British Hindu, Sikh, Jain and Buddhist communities in Britain contribute so much across all sectors from finance and business to education, science and entertainment. The culture and diversity you bring is part of what makes Britain so unique. We have a big fight for the future and the stakes are high for our communities. Next year we will be celebrating Diwali from a very special place!. On behalf of the Labour Party, I wish you a joyous and peaceful day and the very best wishes for the year ahead. Happy Diwali”
Diwali Message from Deputy Prime Minister-Nick Clegg:
Saal Mubarak. This is the time of year when the lights of Diwali burn brightest, bringing joy to communities across the world. Important to Hindus, Sikhs and Jains, Diwali means different things to different people. Yet the core values it embodies – kindness, compassion and the enduring power of knowledge to banish ignorance and fear – matter to all of us, regardless of our faith or background. In Britain, our pride in holding some of the biggest Diwali celebrations outside of India is a constant reminder of the diversity, generosity and openness that makes our country great. So whether you are in Leicester or New Delhi, marking the return of Lord Rama from exile, attainment of moksha by Mahavira or the Bandi Chhor Divas – this is a chance for all of us to come together, learn from each other and have fun, enjoying the lights and joyous music of Diwali. So, I want to wish every one joining their family and friends for food, prayers and fireworks over the next five days a very happy and peaceful New Year. Diwali Mubarak.
Home recording of the Gayatri Mantra for lighting the Diwali Diyas, (Mantra Raag project) for home puja by Pandit Anil Bhanot OBE:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nE20FDc5KvM
The Gayatri Mantra is the supreme Vedic Mantra, also known as the Guru Mantra in Gayatri for it would be the first Mantra a Guru would teach a young disciple entering school (Guru-Kul from Sanskrit). The main Gayatri Mantra I am supplementing with another Revelation for lighting the Jyoti, Diya or Candle. This complete Gayatri Mantra can be recited at the start of a Puja when lighting a Jyoti or generally in any ceremony, and especially if lighting a lamp, even as for lighting Diya’s or Candles at Diwali. This Gayatri Mantra is sung in Raag Bhairvi.
ॠà¤à¥‚रà¥à¤à¥à¤µà¤ƒ सà¥à¤µà¤ƒ
ततà¥à¤¸à¤µà¤¿à¤¤à¥à¤°à¥à¤µà¤°à¥‡à¤£à¥à¤¯à¤‚ ।
à¤à¤°à¥à¤—ो देवसà¥à¤¯ धीमहि
धियो यो नः पà¥à¤°à¤šà¥‹à¤¦à¤¯à¤¾à¤¤à¥ ॥
Om Bhoor Bhuvah Svah
Tat-Savitur-Varanhiyam |
Bhargo Daevassya Dhee-mahi
Dhiyo Yo Nah Pracho-dayaat ||
Meaning:
1: Om, The Omnipresent God which Pervades the Phyiscal Plane (Bhoor), the Astral Plane (Bhuvah or Antariksha Loke) and the Celestial Plane (Svah or Swarga Loke),
2: That Being’s Illumined Radiance (Savitr) is the Most Adorable (Varanhium)
3: The Divine Radiance (Bhargo) of God (Devassya) we Meditate upon (Dhee-mahi),
4: Who (Yo) may guide (dayaat) our (Nah) Intellect (Dhiyo) with Wisdom (Pracho)
ॠअपो जà¥à¤¯à¥‹à¤¤à¤¿
रसो अमà¥à¤°à¤¤à¤®à¥ बà¥à¤°à¤¹à¥à¤®à¥: ।
à¤à¥à¤°à¥ à¤à¥à¤µà¤¹à¥ सà¥à¤µà¤°à¥ ॠ॥
Om Apo Jyoti
Raso Amartam Brahm I
Bhoor Bhuvah Swar Om II
Meaning:
1: Om, The Omnipresent God through the primordial cosmic waters of life (Apo) advance Light (Jyoti)
2: Experience Eternal Bliss (Raso-Amartam) in the One Omnipresent God (Brahm)
3. In the physical body (Bhoor), the astral mind (Bhuvah), in the Heavenly Song (Swar) Om.
– Anil Bhanot OBE.
Sanjay Jagatia
Director/Secretary General
Hindu Council UK (HCUK)