Paryushan is the period for spiritual awareness, reflection, humility and forgiveness. The real purpose of the Paryushan is to purify our soul by staying closer to our own soul, to look at our own faults, to ask for forgiveness for the mistakes we have committed and take vows to minimize our faults. We try to forget about the needs of our body (like food) and our business so that we can concentrate on our self. Northampton Area celebrated Paryushan Parva 2018 with great joy, sincerity and devotion.

Every evening we had the evening Pratikraman and staying with Northampton traditions Punjabhai and Jivrajbhai conducted. As always, our very talented singers Mahendrabhai, Jyostnaben, Chiragbhai, Nitishbhai and Rushabhbhai, Kundanben and Ramaben sang some very uplifting melodious stavans during the evening bhavna followed by raas garba, Aarti and Mangal Divo. The atmosphere within the Mandir was positively vibrating over the Paryushan Parva. We had a good attendance of between 30 – 40 people for Pratikraman each evening. We were also privileged to have the presence 3 members of Board of Advisors on Friday evening who joined us for the evening Bhakti.

This year we had the following 6 Tapasvis who fasted for 8 days

  • Gitaben Anil Shah
  • Kumudben Rashmi Khimasia
  • Sandhyaben Dhirendra Virani (10 days)
  • Hasmitaben Himat Shah
  • Kanchanben Steve Wade
  • Phoolpareeben Mahendra Shah (6 days maun)
  • Dhirendrabhai Kirshorilal Virani fasted for 6 days.

On Monday 10th we celebrated the 14 Sapnas with great pomp and joy. Ucchavni for Parnu Julvanu, Aarti and Mangal Divo was done too. On Wednesday 12th was Tapasvinu Bahuman. On Thursday 13th we had 108 Diva Aarti and Mangal Divo. Almost all families that attended gave a nakro for the 108 Diva Aarti and got the blessed chance to perform this Aarti.

On Sunday 9th September we were privileged to have a team from Shri Chandana Vidyapeeth. Jyostnaben Samji, Harshadbhai, Prakashbhai and Trushitben conducted an excellent interactive workshop on insight into Paryushan Parva for the morning. We had the pleasure and company of Nileshbhai (OAUK President) along with six other EC members. We also were blessed with the presences of Jayeshbhai and Varshaben who could only stay for a short period of time. We also had three committee members from Luton area. For lunch there was bundi, chora shaak, puri, bhaat, gathia and chutney. The afternoon workshop was about recitation and meaning of selected Paryushan Sutras. Here we focussed on and learnt the meaning of Iriyavahiyam and Karemi Bhante Sutra. The workshop was very successful and all agreed that ‘going back to basics’ is a good way to remember, reinforce and strengthen the foundation of our beliefs and rituals.

We are most grateful to all the volunteers who have helped during this auspicious occasion – without their help and support it would not be possible for the Paryushan Parva to run smoothly.  For more photos please click here.

Finally, Micchami Dukkadam from the whole of Northampton Area committee if we have hurt anyone knowingly or unknowingly.

by Mona Rupen Shah

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