SCVP London Celebrating Diwali!

With the grace and blessings of Pujya Tai Ma and Pujya Sadhviji Shilapiji, everyone at SCVP London had a wonderful and uplifting Diwali with hugely successful Chopda Poojan and Jaap events.

Everyone who attended the events were indeed fortunate as we had Pujya Sadhviji Shilapiji grace the occasion and inspire us all with key message of understanding the significance of Mahavir Bhagwan’s last sermon, reflecting on Gautam Swami’s devotion and selflessness, embracing challenges in life positively and reflecting on living with compassion and gratitude.

The annual Diwali Chopda Poojan in the unique SCVP style was beautiful, vibrant, colourful and with deep spiritual meaning; the focus of the event was of Mahavir Bhagwan’s timeless message for humanity. Over 150 people – young and old – took part in a beautiful poojan remembering Mahavir Bhagwan, Guru Gautamswami, Saraswati Devi and Mahalakshmi Devi.

The hall was beautifully decorated by all the volunteers creating the ambience of a place of pilgrimage where all the families were spiritually uplifted and encouraged to reflect on the positives from the past year and open a bright chapter for the forthcoming new year! The décor was enhanced by Diwali competition entries of beautiful rangolis, decorated divas, creative poems, and wonderful messages from several entries from children and adults who attend the school!

The teachers conducted the Chopda Poojan in a beautiful and serene manner with all the families fully engaged throughout. The atmosphere was further lifted by soul rendering singing and music that raptured the audience. Everyone was also mesmerised by the wonderful rendition on the flute by a very young artiste!

Children of SCVP are the golden jewels who make everyone at SCVP proud with their full engagement and the thirst to learn and develop as individuals. They again thoroughly excelled at the Diwali event. Children bookended the event with beautiful recitation of prayers at the beginning and at the end. A couple of youth also set the tone of reverence and humility at the beginning with an amazing dance!

With superb direction by a couple of teachers, a group of children performed a wonderful skit transporting the audience back in time to Mahavir Bhagwan’s sermon. The narration of the scene, the hidden voice of Mahavir Bhagwan, the lamenting of Gautam swami before the self-realisation, and the heart-touching Mahavir Bhagwan stavans had the audience spellbound! The skit was rehearsed literally in a short space of time and still executed beautifully. The event culminated in a high energy garbo lifting everyone’s spirits which was then followed by a scrumptious jain vegan lunch!

The Jaap (on the night of Diwali) which has also become a popular annual event was the other side of this coin with peaceful in the moment rhythmic chanting interspersed with an inspiring midnight sermon by Pujya Sadhviji; both events were executed well by the Diwali sub team and with a lot of help from volunteers on the day.

Our sincere gratitude to Pujya Sadhviji Shilapiji whose grace and blessings continues to inspire us and guide us on this spiritual journey.