Houston’s Vadtal Dham temple hosts vibrant Diwali festivities

The celebration reached its peak on Nov.1 with a grand cultural program led by LNDYM Kids, a Maha Deep Aarti, and an elaborate fireworks display.

Devotees doing Diwali Pooja. / Arun Mundra

The Vadtal Dham Shree Swaminarayan Hindu Temple in Houston celebrated Diwali with a series of multi-day events, drawing hundreds of devotees and visitors. The celebration, blessed by H.H. 1008 Acharya Shree Ajendraprasadji Maharaj of the Vadtal Gadi, began on Oct.27 and featured a packed schedule of traditional rituals and cultural events.

The festivities opened on Oct.28 with Rama Ekadashi, marked by a special mahapuja ceremony. The following day, devotees participated in Dhan Puja for Dhanteras, while the Oct.30 highlight was a Maruti Yagna for Kali Chaudas. On Diwali, celebrated Oct.31, worshipers honored the goddess of wealth with Laxmi and Chopda Pujas, symbolizing prosperity and fresh beginnings.

The celebration reached its peak on Nov.1 with a grand cultural program led by LNDYM Kids, a Maha Deep Aarti, and an elaborate fireworks display. Nov.2 marked the Gujarati New Year, commemorated with a grand annakut—an offering of a wide variety of foods to the deities.

Cultural performances in Vadtal Dham. / Arun Mundra

Community members of all ages joined the temple’s multi-dimensional festivities, which included religious, cultural, and social activities. Several local dignitaries, including Arun Mundra, attended some events, commending the temple’s extensive service to the community.