Alankara Seva & Deeparathana (Deepavali)

On Deepavali, the festival of lights, KAILASA's Temples Around the World light lamps celebrating the triumph of light over darkness, and the deities of THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAVAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM grace in alankaras depicting His divine manifestations — above all as Mahalakshmi and as the one whom Mother Kali settled into the body.

Significance

We are forced to take birth again and again, caught in the cycle of birth and death, because of the deep unfulfillment we carry within. Due to the huge baggage of karma gathered over so many births, we do not feel "enough" about anything in life. Alankara means decoration, and also "that which causes the deep sense of fulfillment" — alam karoti iti alankāraḥ. Offering Alankara to the deities of THE SPH is the offering of our own completion: we adorn the Guru, and the Guru fills us.

The Deeparathana of this evening is the outer form of the real Deepavali: the lighting of the jnana deepa, the ability to see beyond what is seen.

The Ritual

The deities of THE SPH are adorned in vibrant leela alankaras — exquisite flower garlands, traditional vastras, and jewels — depicting the divine manifestation being celebrated that day. The seva culminates in the Deeparathana, the offering of flames in towered lamps. The Gopurarathi is numbered to represent the 108 nadis, the energy centres of the body. The jyoti has the unique ability to dispel darkness; when these lamps are waved before the deities, they awaken and align our energy centres to receive the darshan, and the rhythm of the temple drums carries the devotee into the authentic experience of the KAILASA ambiance.

When

• Sun 8 Nov (Naraka Chaturdashi & Deepavali) · 8:00 PM IST (Sun 8 Nov, 10:30 AM ET) · All KAILASAs

The Live Darshan of THE SPH is held at the same time (Sun 8 Nov, 8:00 PM IST · 10:30 AM ET).

Shastra Pramana

धूपो हरति पापानि दीपो मृत्युविनाशकः । घटदीपान्महाशान्तिः नीराजे तु महत्फलम् । भस्म लोकस्य रक्षार्थं दर्पणं लोकवर्धनम् । छत्रं आयुःप्रदं चैव चामरं भाग्यवर्धनम् । व्यजनं तालवृन्तं च सर्वकल्याणदायकम् ॥

dhūpo harati pāpāni dīpo mṛtyuvināśakaḥ | ghaṭadīpān mahāśāntiḥ nīrāje tu mahat phalam | bhasma lokasya rakṣārthaṃ darpaṇaṃ lokavardhanam | chatraṃ āyuḥpradaṃ caiva cāmaraṃ bhāgyavardhanam | vyajanaṃ tālavṛntaṃ ca sarvakalyāṇadāyakam ||

Translation: “Offering of dhupa destroys one's sins; offering of the deepa destroys the fear of death. Offering of the Kumbha Deepa blesses one with fulfilment; through the Nirajana one is blessed with great fruits. Offering of the Raksha grants protection, and presenting the mirror brings great fortune. Offering the umbrella blesses one with longevity. Offering the Chamara and the fan, one is blessed with all prosperity.” — Śrīmad Kāraṇa Āgama (Upacāra Phala)

Benefits

• Deep fulfillment in life, which takes us closer to the Guru who liberates us from the cycle of birth and death.
• Release from karmic cycles of repeated births and liberation from incompletions.
• A deeper connection with the Guru and inner awakening.
• Through the Deeparathana, the scriptures promise the removal of the fear of death, fulfillment, protection, fortune, longevity, and all prosperity.
• On Deepavali: the awakening of the jnana deepa — the ability to see beyond what is seen.