SATSANG Center of Woburn and Gayatri Pariwar once again co-hosted the tremendously popular celebration of Karwa Chauth on October 22^nd. A vibrant Hindu tradition sprung to zesty life for yet another year at this annual autumn event. Over 150 ladies sporting dazzling traditional jewelry and dressed in radiant colors, started converging here in festive mood from early afternoon..

Following remarks after the puja, pretty much sum up and reflect the ‘sense of the house: “....can't thank you enough for the lovely celebration! You always make Karwa chauth extra special. Love you,” says Yogita, who did participate with a house full  of over 150 ladies celebrating the festival. And, Reena continued, “… it was a very well organized event and I like the energy and enthusiasm we all put in celebrating KarwaChauth!”

Sangeeta Saxena, officiated the puja ceremony and delivered an inspirational, rousing keynote address as the take home message and main theme of Karwa  Chouth celebration. She emphasized on embedding the Upasana, Sadhana, Aradhana (USA) in participant’s daily lives. And, she lucidly interspersed the entire ceremony with the life-changing philosophy and inspirational message based upon the teachings of Yugrishi  Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya (founder of All World Gayatri Pariwar). The puja started with the Kalash (Karwa) Pujan, Sarva-Dev-Namskar, parva-katha and concluded with Purnahuti-mantras and Vedic Shanti mantras for the peace, joy and well-being of all. After experiencing the positive vibrations of these festivities, later Roopam commented, “Thank you Sangeeta di for beautiful pictures and what an amazing puja!! We celebrated it better than India for sure.”

The celebration concluded with 'Dev-Dakshina-purnaahuti', a  key aspect  of this celebration, besides the traditional Katha and songs. A volunteer of Gayatri Pariwar and officiating priestess Sangeeta Saxena continued to explain that this is the moment in puja, all the ladies take vows to cultivate a new personal virtue/strength for continued personal growth and enrichment of  their family lives. She also encouraged all her fellow sisters to take a complimentary vow to look 'with-in', and then identify and take vow to remove at least one behavioral flaw or habit  that might be proving an impediment to a happy family life. Sangeeta emphasized  that this small step could propel us a long way on the journey of personal fulfillment and family happiness. It is especially  valuable, when these vows are made at the heightened emotional state of a puja/festive occasion, in the presence of all the Dev-Shakti's. Participants are truly moved by the life changing message of Gayatri Pariwar. “Thanks Sangeeta, it was a delight celebrating karwachauth with Gayatri Parivaar and such wonderful people,” said Meenakshi.

The festival of Karwa Chauth has emerged as a day to celebrate the festive  season of autumn and enjoy the company of close  friends and relatives. As the name suggests, Karwa meaning a clay pot and Chauth meaning the fourth, so this festival is observed on the fourth day after the full Moon in Kartik month of the Hindu calendar (nine days prior to Diwali). The great diversity of Hindu Dharmic traditions is revealed through its traditional festivals, which help in symbolizing, reflecting and enriching social life in a specific cultural context. As such, Karwa Chauth is a traditional fasting day kept by married Hindu women seeking the long-life, well-being and prosperity of their husbands. Some keep a strict fast and do not take even a drop of water. All the participants elegantly dress in festive bridal colors. Several ladies imprint beautiful henna designs also on their hands. At night when the moon appears, women break their fast after offering water to the moon. In Hindu Dharma, the goal of life is Self-realization or the realization of the Supreme Consciousness (Parmatman), and fasting has been a much sought after technique among many others, in pursuit of this goal.

The program concluded with energetic jingles of 'Thought Revolution Movement' pioneered by the All World Gayatri Pariwar. The most captivating was:

Hum badlenge-Yug badlege!. We change - world will change.

Hum sudhrenge-Yug Sudhrege!. We improve - World will improve.

The event was a huge success with the active support of volunteers, Volunteers of Gayatri Parivar of Massachusetts , which is actively providing services to facilitate and perform much sought after family ceremonies which are integral part of Hindu tradition. Please check www.Gayatri.info for  more information and upcoming events' flyers.

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