Thank you for the food we eat

It was a spectacular start to the Gujarati New Year at Rosehill’s BAPS Shree Swaminarayan Mandir earlier this month. Immediately following Diwali, the Annakut ceremony performed at the temple saw in the new year with a traditional offering of food to the deities.

‘Annakut’ literally means ‘a mountain of food’, and that is pretty much what it was, with 1000 individual dishes prepared lovingly by the congregation.

Following custom, the food - all vegetarian, of course - was arranged in tiers or steps in front of the deities, including Lord Krishna. There were sweetmeats of all kinds, savouries, rice dishes, dals, fruit - some beautifully carved, drinks of various colours, chocolate and cakes - even one showing the new building plans for the temple!

It created a stunning display, with lighting and decoration, and remained exhibited for ‘darshan’ or ‘viewing’. After prayers, the food was distributed to all members of the congregation.

Essentially, Annakut is a way of offering thanks to God for the comforts in our lives, and as such, is a great way of commencing the new year. If you are happy and peaceful on this day, it is believed, peace and happiness will be yours for the entire year.

The celebrations took place in the presence of BAPS Sadhus, Pujya Jnanpurush Swami and Pujya Adarshmuni Swami.

Explaining the customs, Yogi Savania of the Swaminarayan Mandir said the devotees sang the ‘ thaal’, which includes kirtans (hymns) listing and glorifying the food items, presented rhythmically, as well as hymns requesting the deities to accept the offerings and partake of them. Once the food is blessed it becomes Prasad , or sanctified as holy.

The tradition has become a Swaminarayan mainstay all over the world. In most displays, the sweets are seen placed closest to the deities. Often a mound of cooked rice is placed in the centre.

The mountain symbolism is seen elsewhere in the layout of the food as well: the mithai (sweetmeats) are usually stacked up in circular tower-like arrangements. Legend has it that it is Mt. Govardhan that is symbolized here. In one of the tales pertaining to Lord Krishna (the Govardhan Leela), it is believed that Krishna had once lifted up the entire mountain and held it balanced on his little finger, to shelter the people of Vraj. Indra, the God of the Heavens, prone to egoistic tantrums, had unleashed a massive storm on the township of Vraj, incensed at its residents for honouring Krishna more than his own self. Krishna, with the help of Mt Govardhan, sheltered the people of Vraj for seven days, until Indra relented. When the people thanked Krishna, he said they should pay obeisance to the lord of the mountain, Govardhan Nath, instead.

Another belief is that Annakut symbolizes the offering to God of the first harvest, and then distributing it to all. As each family added to the offering, the pile took the form of a mountain.

Whatever the symbolisms and legends behind the tradition, Annakut as a Hindu festival is a joyful start to the Gujarati new year - Vikram Samvat 2067, according to the Hindu calendar. According to Yogi Savania, the Annakut festival has been celebrated uninterrupted at the Rosehill Mandir, ever since its inception in 1998.

The Chief Guests for the Annakut assembly this year were Ray Williams (MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Western Sydney), and Parramatta Councillor Tony Issa, representing the Lord Mayor His Worship Cllr John Chedid. Welcoming the guests to the assembly, Pujya Jnanpurush Swami explained the significance of the Annakut festival to the assembly, introducing the theme of “Go Veg, Go Green” due to the numerous vegetarian dishes which had been offered to the Gods. He reiterated that vegetarianism could help alleviate the global problem of climate change, as a substantial proportion of greenhouse gases were produced by the meat stock industry.

Both Mr Williams and Cllr Issa wished the Indian community a Happy Deepavali and commended BAPS for its outstanding service to the community through its multi faceted social and cultural activities.

Earlier on Diwali evening, many devotees took part in the Chopda Pujan ceremony. This is a ritual where those involved in trade and business do Pujan (sanctification) of their new financial ledgers to augur success in the forthcoming year. The Chief Guests for the evening were Cllrs Julia Finn and Prabir Maitra of Parramatta City Council. Cllr Maitra wished the congregation on this festive season and commended BAPS for its organisational skills and community engagement. He also recalled his experiences from his visit to the Delhi Akshardham early in the year.

Major refurbishment plans to the current Mandir building will occur in the new year, with construction expected to begin very early in 2011.