WANZA · like the 108 Hanuman Chalisa, which Shree Wanza Community Leicester co-hosted in March...

WANZASeptember 2016

LEICESTER ISSUE 9

Shree Wanza Community Leicester2

Contents

3 108 Hanuman Chalisa

4 NHSF (UK) - From “A Home Away From Home”

8 Gelatine - Why the Hullabaloo?

10 Navratri

12 Ram Navami & Hanuman Jayanti

13 Wanza Shopping Trip

14 Food Bank & Unwanted Items Collection

16 Health: High Blood Pressure

20 Janmashtmi

22 Diwali

28 National Bhajan Samelan Utsav

34 Dates for the Diary

Booklet designed by Vimi Bhaven Gohil

Sent to print by Divyesh Suresh Solanki

Thanks to all youth committee members for gathering the contents within this booklet.

Shree Wanza Community Leicester 3

001

Dawn. Devotees begin to gather. Tranquil silence, nervousness and excitement build and the day begins… This year saw Wanza Leicester and the National Hindu Students’ Forum (NHSF (UK)) unite to host 2016’s Hanuman Chalisa; Wanza Leicester hosting its third 108 Hanuman Chalisa and NHSF (UK), as part of their annual bhakti roadshow. People from across the country rejoiced in unison as we recited the Hanuman Chalisa and filled the Centre with harmonic chanting.

The live YouTube feed enabled those across the world to join into reciting the chalisa. The bhajan mandli played with precision as cymbals, tablas, harmoniums and dhols complemented the singers beautifully.

Throughout the day the hall filled with people, volume, and an uplifting aura, as if our souls had become one for the day. Offerings of ladoo were made to Hanumanji, as well as other sweets. The youth, whether from our gnati, NHSF (UK) or elsewhere, were at the forefront of the day leading the devotees in chanting the chalisa in sync. It was refreshing to see new faces not shying away and even some who were shy, finding their voice. The day also gave an opportunity for garba, where people were able to express their feelings through dance.

The energy on the day was incredible and it was a day that will be cherished by all forever. Experiencing this day, I feel proud and content that the Hindu samaj is in safe hands with our youth.

108 Hanuman Chalisaby Chirag Jayprakash Parmar Wanza Youth Committee President


NHSF (UK) - From “A Home Away From Home” to “Future Leaders”by Mayur Govind Shikotra Wanza Management Committee Member

When you are 18, moving to a different city on your own to start university can be a daunting experience.

A Home Away From Home…When I first started at Nottingham Trent University, at the fresher’s fayre, there was a ‘Hindu Society’ stall where I spoke to a couple of students, slightly older than me. We discussed what I was studying at university and what my interests were. I was told to come to a “Meet and Greet”, an opportunity to supposedly meet like-minded individuals. A phrase they kept mentioning was “home away from home”, something I really didn’t understand at the time… that was until I went to our local Mandir where they gave attendees mattar paneer and naan – a dish which I really missed in the few days I’d been away from home!

More Than Just My University…I started getting more involved in the Nottingham Trent Hindu Society’s activities. The more I got involved, the more I realised we were part of something bigger. There were universities around the UK that were

002

part of a national movement, thousands of students from across the country uniting as one. This was the work of the National Hindu Students’ Forum (UK) – known as NHSF (UK). At the time I joined university, there were 36 affiliated Hindu societies, but this was just the tip of the iceberg. It was from here that I became more and more involved, allowing me to develop my understanding of the organisation and a deeper understanding of Hindu Dharma… my Hindu Dharma… our Hindu Dharma.

I understood that NHSF (UK) had a national committee who organise multiple national events. They also have a week that is dedicated solely to sewa (selfless service), one of the foundations of Hindu Dharma. The organisation is split up across the country into four ‘zones’ – North, Central, South and London Zone. Each of these zones even have their own events, such as Raas Garbas, sports competitions and even bhakti events like the 108 Hanuman Chalisa, which Shree Wanza Community Leicester co-hosted in March 2016 for the Central Zone.


A Grand Experience…During my second year at university, the more I got involved with the Hindu Society, the more people I met and I was told I should apply to be part of the National Committee. From what I had learnt about the national element, I didn’t really need much convincing to do so. An application form and interview later, I received a phone call to say that I would successfully join the events team on the national committee and I would organise the National Sports Competition, a national event which attracts over 700 students.

The National Sports Competition was a real eye-opener into organising and managing events, and one which I will never forget. I liaised with 36 universities, created minute-by-minute fixtures schedules for six different sports, liaised with the venue and oversaw registrations, budgeting and a spectrum of other tasks. I had never undertaken most of these tasks before, but I was fortunate enough to have fantastic people to support and guide me in organising one of the largest Hindu student events to take place in the country.

Following that year, I moved on to become the National Events Coordinator, during which time I helped organise and oversee some great events like the Big Hindu Questions conference, the NHSF (UK) Annual

General Meeting (AGM), Dharma Fest and, of course, the National Sports Competition. Whilst I was Events Coordinator, as an organisation, we held a high-profile event to celebrate our achievements over the years at the Houses of Parliament, where the audience included students, community leaders, MPs and the then Labour Party leader, Rt. Hon. Ed Miliband.

A Worthy Cause…Whether on a national level or a university level, it was clear to me that there was a plethora of work taking place. Whilst balancing student or working life, every single person involved with NHSF (UK) was part of a national movement contributing to wider society and the development of Hindu students… our future leaders. This was the one aspect of the organisation that absolutely amazed me; the fact that this was an organisation run by individuals who committed their own personal time to such a worthy cause.

Going Forward…Since I left the National Committee, the organisation has grown to having over 50 universities affiliated and the membership is higher than ever before (well over 4,500). NHSF (UK) are currently in their 25th year of existence and so are planning an ambitious celebratory event which I am proud to be part of (it’s a secret for now!) I have also


been lucky enough to help organise and plan events like the Asian Achievers Awards and the Rangeelu Gujarat event just passed. However, one event will always stand out and that I will always remember being part of is the ‘UK Welcomes Modi’ event at Wembley Stadium. Being part of the occasion prior to the event to then sorting out logistical challenges on the day and then hearing the roar of 60,000 people singing the Indian national anthem with passion and pride was then topped off by meeting Shri Narendra Modi himself! This was an event I will cherish and only have NHSF (UK) to thank as this opportunity would not have arisen without them.

Future Leaders…One thing I saw during my time was how much influence students have when they are given a platform. I recall people on

the National Committee who now hold leading roles with in the legal and political spectrums and even the even the police forces. More importantly, these Hindu leaders also hold important roles in Hindu organisations that represent us and keep us at the forefront of this country. I can say without a shadow of a doubt that this would not have been possible if NHSF (UK) did not give them a platform to develop physically, intellectually, morally and spiritually.

I have no doubt that one day we will see Hindu leaders in all fields of work in our country; from local leaders, religious councils to businesses and the legal system. I eagerly await the day we have a Hindu leader inside 10 Downing Street. I have the confidence that these leaders will come through the National Hindu Students’ Forum (UK).

With the sheer number of fantastic events that Wanza Leicester provides for its members, there was no let-up even during the two week period where this booklet was in its final design, printing and posting stages. During this time, there were two unique Wanza Leicester events that took place. Whilst that meant we can’t include a full review on them, here’s a flavour of the events…

Wanza Sewa Day

Wanza Leicester’s first ever Sewa Day presented an opportunity for all Wanzas the chance to take part in some sewa (selfless service) for our community. Right from young children to mothers and fathers to the senior members of our community, all of us were able to give our time to benefit each and every member of our community. I’m sure Wanza Leicester members will have been present in large numbers to give their time!

Wanza T20 and Fun Day

A fun day out for all ages, with a bouncy castle, engaging games such as Kwik Cricket and rounders, and fantastic sunny weather for a picnic (OK, so this last one can’t be guaranteed!), not to mention the T20 cricket match itself. Sounds to me like it will have been a blast!

Keep an eye out on Wanza Leicester’s Facebook page for photos!

Other Wanza Events


RecipeCarrot Burfi by Janvi Kiran Nandha (Youth Committee Member)

Ingredients:

2 cups shredded carrot,2 cups milk,1/3 cup heavy cream,1/2 cup sugar,2 tablespoons clarified butter or ghee,1/4 teaspoon cardamom powder,2 tablespoons chopped cashews to garnish.

Method:

In a large heavy frying pan, bring the milk, cream and carrots to boil over medium high heat. Stir occasionally making sure the milk doesn’t burn at the bottom of the pan. After the milk comes to a boil, reduce the heat to medium.

Let the mixture cook for about 25 minutes until the carrot mix becomes like a lumpy dough. Keep stirring occasionally and scrape the sides at the same time. For the last 10 minutes stir continuously, otherwise the mixture will burn from the bottom.

Add the sugar in and you will notice the mixture becomes very soft. Cook for about 10 minutes and stir continuously. The mixture should have the consistency of soft dough. Add in the butter and cardamom and keep stirring for another 5 minutes. The mixture should be lumpy at this stage.

Transfer the mixture to a greased tin of your choice, square or rectangle, and press firmly to about 1/2 an inch in height.

Let the barfi sit for at least 2 hours before cutting into pieces.

Garnish with chopped cashews and serve.


Gelatine appears as an ingredient on a number of food items that are available on supermarket shelves. Jelly sweets, marshmallows, Turkish Delight type sweets and even some chocolates, desserts, ice creams, dips and yoghurts commonly have gelatine in them to thicken and give the product its gel-like texture.

Why is it the ‘no-no’ ingredient?

Gelatine – sometimes written on ingredients lists as E441 – is commercially sourced from either pig skin (44%), bovine hides (28%), bones (27%) or other sources (1%). What this means is that most widely used gelatine is made from either pigs or from bovine (cows, buffalo, cattle etc).

In simple terms, here is how gelatine is made. The skin, bones, hooves and any cartilage component of the animal are cleaned of any hair and dirt. It is then boiled with water and diluted acid to get the ‘gel-iness’ from it. This gel solution is then refined and cleaned. Later, it is dried and blended into powder to make the ‘yumminess’ of gelatine. Recently, there has been a lot of controversy around religious beliefs, especially the inclusion of pig products and whether the rest of the bovine sources are halal or not. This has led to some companies making gelatine from fish eyes, cartilage

003

Gelatine / E441 - Why the Hullaballoo?by Nitika Bhavin Davdra Wanza Community Member


and bones. Because gelatine is a hydrolysed collagen (highly processed protein) it does not have any nutritional value and is not known to widely cause allergies. Most people are able to eat it without noticing any effects on themselves. You just feel the effects of the sugar from all the heavy desserts it forms a part of!

There are some vegetarian sources of gelatine such as seaweed or fruit sourced jellies. These are clearly marked as vegetarian. If you are buying a product and it just says gelatine with no further information, it is highly likely it is from an animal. Animal sourced gelatine is cheaper to make.

Now that you know what gelatine is and where it comes from, what next?

The choice of personal consumption is yours, but bringing products containing animal source gelatine to a mandir or a pooja is still a complete no-no. It is the equivalent of bringing non-veg food.

Remember to read the ingredients list to see if gelatine is there. Remember to look out for additive E441; it’s the ‘code name’ for gelatine. Some common types of products that may contain gelatine include cereals (mini wheat), skittles, frozen vegetables in a bag, cream cheese, milk substitutes, lozenges, chocolates, pre-made cakes and even some of your creams!

So the next time you go to the supermarket….

Read before you buy!


Navratriby Anicha Rathod Wanza Youth Committee Assistant Secretary

NavrātriAs we all know, Navrātri is just around the corner which means a lot of things (mostly majā, masti and bhakti). It is truly one of Wanza Leicester’s annual defining moments and it’s usually the time of the year when the sounds of dhol, clapping of hands, tapping of dandiyas and singing of garbos are heard from a distance until late hours of the night all across the world. Wanzas are no different! The homely, comfortable atmosphere Wanza Leicester creates is unparalleled, with our very own singers and musicians providing the uplifting rhythms for garba and Mataji ni Aarti. What’s more, there are prizes for the Best Male and Female Garba Player, the Best Dressed Male and Female, and the much anticipated Fancy Dress Competition.

Back to BasicsWhilst undoubtedly there are fun elements to it, let’s go back to the beginning and explore why we celebrate it in the first place. The name comes from Sanskrit meaning nine (nav) nights (ratri) and it is considered to be one of the most prominent Hindu festivals in Gujarat as well as numerous parts of the world, such as our very own city of Leicester! There are many variations of the story, but it primarily symbolises the victory of good (Mā Durgā) over evil (Mahishāsura – buffalo headed demon).

Mahishāsura wanted to go to war against the devās (gods) and had undertaken severe penance to Lord Brahmā to make himself invincible and immortal. Brahmā rejected this and instead he was given a boon such that his death

004


would only occur at the hands of a woman, as Mahishāsura believed it impossible for a woman to annihilate a person of his size and strength. Thus, considering himself exempt from death at the hands of Brahmā, Vishnu and Mahesh (Shivā), he commenced the war. The devās, led by Indra, were defeated and asked the trinity for help, whereby they combined their power and consequently Mā Durgā manifested. She eventually led the battle and killed him, fulfilling the prophecy that he would meet his death at the hands of a woman. For this reason, Navrātri is celebrated over 9 nights in order to honour the 9 manifestations of Mā Durgā which are:

Shailputri, Brahmachārini, Chandraghantā, Kushmānda, Skandamātā, Kātyāyani, Kālarātri, Mahāgauri, Siddidhātri.

VictoryOn the 10th day comes Vijayadashmi which refers to Ram Bhagwān defeating Rāvan with the blessings of Mā Durgā, as well as the conquering of Mahishāsura. It is also known as Dussehra, which comes about from Rāvan’s earlier name, Dashānan, and the word hārā (defeated).

These nine days are a reminder that it is possible to overcome difficulties and skilfully removing the negative can be done by invoking the Shakti (female energy and power) within all of us.

LifeIn this day and age, it is important that we do not overlook the influences of Navrātri and what it stands for. One of the ways this is done is by playing garba, which comes from the Sanskrit word for womb “Garbha”. Traditionally, this is performed in a circular fashion around a clay pot with a light inside (Garbha Deep) and this is what represents new lease of life. The womb is a reminder that this festivity is a celebration of the feminine element. There is a motherhood aspect to God – just as a child will search for comfort, protection and strength in their mother, we look at Mā Durgā the same way as she is considered the Divine Mother and we are her children.

More Than EqualIn a world where misogyny is still prevalent, countless Hindu events commemorating devis (goddesses) shows that Hinduism is a religion which values and gives importance to women. However, they are not seen as equals, but are held in even higher regard! This strong female form of Mā Durgā is present in us all and is something that should be celebrated! I look forward to seeing you all on the 1st of October for the first day of Sharad Navrātri!

Jai Ādhyā Shakti!


005

On Saturday 23rd April 2016 , Wanza Leicester hosted bhajans for the revered festivals of Ram Navami and Hanuman Jayanti.

Ram Navami celebrates the birth of Ram Bhagwan. It falls on the 9th day of the month of Chaitra. On this auspicious day, devotees repeat the name of Ram with every breath and vow to lead a righteous life. Ram Bhagwan is the embodiment of compassion, gentleness, kindness, righteousness and integrity. Although he has all the power in the world, he is still peaceful and gentle.

Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated to honour the birth of Hanumanji. It also falls in the month of Chaitra. Hanumanji is the embodiment of loyalty and has unflinching devotion for Ram Bhagwan. He is the symbol for strength, energy, fearlessness and sewa (selfless service).

To mark these festive days, Wanza Leicester hosted the celebrations in their mandir. It started off with the Hanuman Chalisa, which was followed by bhakti-filled bhajans and upbeat dhuns. The chanting devotees created a magical atmosphere and the joy of the festivals could be felt by all. It was fantastic to see the younger generation joining in with the bhajans and even taking the lead! The night was then concluded with the aarti with people going home with their hearts filled with devoutness for Ram Bhagwan and Hanumanji.

Thank you to everyone who attended this wonderful event and we look forward to bringing you more such joyous occasions throughout the year.

Ram Navami & Hanuman Jayantiby Hetal Girishkumar Gohil Youth Committee Secretary


Well, what can we say about women and shopping? What a blast. The Wanza women made their way to Southall on a bright sunny day in August. Having shopped from 11am till 2pm we thought we needed a little snack at Sarvana Bhavan. The garam dosa, spicy chilli panner, classic thali and, of course, a chilled chaas went down like a treat. We then started shopping again until 6pm and finished off with a cheeky dessert. Southall’s busy markets and street stalls present a mixture of traditional and modern goods. There was an amazing variety of dazzling handicrafts, textiles, jewellery and much more. Would I go again? Absolutely!

Shopping tip for men: If you ever need a woman to hurry up and start walking, give them water to drink. They’ll soon start walking much faster looking for a toilet. Trust me, we experienced that!

006

Wanza Shopping Tripby Madhavi Raju Mandalia Wanza Youth Committee Vice President


“ ”

2016 has been an exciting year with more action than ever; Olympics, Paralympics, Euro 2016, a new Prime Minister and Brexit. Major changes in the way Britain will move forward means once again we need to unite to help those less fortunate and who face dark days ahead. Over the last year (April to March) more than 1 million 3-day food supplies were given out to families (40% for children); with 50,000 for families in the East Midlands. The demand for emergency means has increased exponentially over the last decade and we need to continue to do our bit. It is clear that people are still struggling for basic necessities and 1 in 5 adults will skip dinner this summer so that their children may eat.

Over the last 3 years we, as a community, have raised over 800 kg worth of food. We need to build on this and so, again, this year we will be holding a food bank collection over Navratri and Diwali. I implore all gnati members to once again bring in non-perishable items that we can collect and then donate to the Hinckley Food Bank to help those in need. Ask other family members, friends, even your work colleagues to see if they are willing to contribute. No one should have to struggle for food.

Please bring your donations of non-perishable food (i.e. non-frozen food that will not go off for a number of months) to the table near registration desk in the Dining Hall during Navratri or any other events up until and including our Diwali Show.

I would also like to thank all those who sponsored my charity event, which resulted in over £300 being raised for British Heart Foundation.

Unwanted, Good Quality, Resalable ItemsIn addition to the Food Bank, we’ll also be taking collection of unwanted resalable items of a good quality that can be sold at the Sewa Shop in Birmingham. Right from outer-wear clothes, electronic items, books, DVDs etc. Please note that the items must not be in poor condition and should be in full working condition. These can be brought to the table near registration desk in the Dining Hall during Navratri or any other events up until and including our Diwali Show).

007We rise by lifting others Robert Ingersoll

Sewa Corner: Food Bank & Unwanted Items Collectionby Chirag Jayprakash Parmar Wanza Youth President

108

Hanu

man

Cha

lisa

2016


Health: High Blood Pressureby Shailesh Girishkumar Gohil Wanza Community Member

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a common condition affecting many people in our community. Knowing about and treating high blood pressure is important due to reasons explained in this article.

What is blood pressure?Before explaining what high blood pressure is, we need to understand what blood pressure itself is. When the heart beats, it forces a stream of blood to flow through your arteries. This is called the systolic blood pressure (higher number). When the heart is relaxed, the pressure within the arteries goes down and this is called the diastolic blood pressure (lower number). Blood pressure is measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg). When a blood pressure is written as 120/80mmHg, the 120 represent the systolic blood pressure (when the heart beats) and the 80 represents the diastolic blood pressure (when the heart is relaxed).

What should my blood pressure be?Ideally, an adult’s blood pressure should be between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg. A blood pressure higher than 120/80mmHg means you should try to take measures to reduce your blood pressure as you are at risk of developing high blood pressure. Once the blood pressure goes above 140/90mmHg, we call this high blood pressure and treatment may be needed. In special circumstances, lower targets are set; for example if you have diabetes together with kidney disease high blood pressure is a blood pressure over 130/80mmHg.

How is high blood pressure diagnosed?Diagnosing high blood pressure usually involves measuring your blood pressure through a cuff on your arm. This can either be done using an electronic machine or manually. Treatment for high blood pressure usually isn’t started after just one high reading unless it is very high. Consistently high readings are required to diagnose high blood pressure. If your doctor is not sure if you require treatment or not, he/she may organise a test called a 24 hour ambulatory blood pressure monitor. During this test, you are attached to an electronic blood pressure monitor for 24 hours and it automatically checks your blood pressure every half an hour or so through the day. The average readings are then used to see if you have high blood pressure and if it needs treating.

008


What are the symptoms of high blood pressure?Most of the time, high blood pressure has no symptoms. People usually only experience symptoms when their blood pressure is really high. These can include a headache, blurred vision, chest pain, difficulty breathing, irregular heart rate, palpitations or a ringing in the ear amongst others. This is why it is important to keep taking your medications even if you do not have any symptoms.

Why do we worry about high blood pressure?Having high blood pressure increases your risk of developing other medical problems. The risk of heart attacks, angina, strokes, arterial disease, kidney disease, vascular dementia and others are higher in people who have high blood pressure. The higher the blood pressure, the higher the risk of these diseases developing. Reducing high blood pressure can help reduce the risk of developing these problems.

How is high blood pressure treated?First, we need to look at our lifestyle. Reducing the amount of salt we eat helps bring blood pressure down and our diet should be healthy. If you are overweight, you should try to lose weight. Regular exercise is important and, if you smoke, you should stop smoking. If you drink too much alcohol, this should also be cut down. If your blood pressure does not come under control with the above changes, then medication may be needed and there are many available that your doctor will choose from. In around 1 in 20 cases, there is a specific reason (e.g. hormonal imbalance or problems with the artery to the kidneys) for the high blood pressure however this will be tested for and treated by the doctor if needed.

I am on tablets and my blood pressure is still high. Why is this?It may be that the dose of your blood pressure medication needs increasing or that you need more medications to bring your blood pressure under control. Another common reason for blood pressure staying high despite medications is not taking all of the medication you have been prescribed. Lots of people do not take the medication given to them however it is important to take medication regularly. If you have side effects from your medication or do not like to take it for whatever reason, please tell your doctor so that another medication can be tried. Sometimes the blood pressure still stays high despite lots of medication. In this situation, you may be referred to the specialist high blood pressure clinic at the hospital.

Where can I find out more information?www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Blood-pressure-(high)/Pages/Introduction.aspx If you are worried about high blood pressure or blood pressure medication, book a routine appointment with your GP to talk things through further.

Ove

rnight

Dhu

n M

arat

hon

2016

Wanza Leicester’s first ever Overnight Dhun Marathon was an overnight success! (See what we did there?!) Wanza members, with tremendous support from the wider Hindu community, created an unforgettable experience for all…

Ove

rnight

Dhu

n M

arat

hon

2016


009

The 25th of August 2016 marked the festival of Krishna Janmashtami which was celebrated by Wanza Leicester.

Celebrated on the ashtami (8th day) of Krishna Paksha (the dark fortnight) of the month of Shraavan, Janmashtami marks the birth of Krishna and is celebrated by Hindus across the world. It is believed that Krishna was born at midnight, so this joyous occasion traditionally starts 12am Indian time. Krishna was the 8th son of Devaki and Vasudeva.

Krishna is the 8th avatar (incarnation) of Vishnu, the one who upholds the order of the universe. Krishna is seen in many ways; as a mischievous child, as a playful adolescent and as a wise guide in the Bhagavad Gita. There is an inherent beauty in this variety. Firstly, he demonstrates that all of us have varying qualities at different stages in our lives. Secondly, the message is clear that we must all adapt and grow in knowledge and responsibility as we age. Thirdly, we can see Krishna in different ways and take appropriate lessons according to our needs at a particular time in our lives. Krishna Janmasthtami is a celebration of the significance of Bhagwan Shree Krishna to hundreds of millions of Hindus around the world.

Wanza Leicester celebrated this joyful festival by singing uplifting and story-telling bhajans and dhuns . There was even garba when baal (young) Krishna entered our mandir. This created an unforgettable atmosphere and we all had a feeling that Krishna Bhagwan was in the room with us.

A huge thanks to all that were able to attended and made this event unforgettable. We hope to see you soon in further events that we will be bringing to you.

Janmashtamiby Mitul Milan Sonigra Wanza Youth Committee Member



010

Prince Ram and his wife, Sita, are banished from their home in Ayodhya by their father the King. Ram’s brother, Lakshman, goes with them to live in the forest. They are banished for fourteen years due to Ram’s stepmother Kaikeyi. After many happy years, Sita is kidnapped by Ravan. He takes Sita to his island of Lanka. With the help of Hanuman, Ram rescues his wife. The people of Ayodhya light divas in a row to guide Ram and Sita back from the forest to Ayodhya. On their return Ram is crowned king.

Deepavali, commonly known as Diwali, literally means “row of lights,” and many people know Diwali as the “Festival of Lights”. What many of us often don’t understand is the symbolism behind the diva, the fireworks, and the beautiful rangoli, all of which are hard to miss in most Hindu households on Diwali night. This understanding is something within our own control and so we should look to learn something new this Diwali about what each aspect symbolises, right from the cleaning of the house to the divas themselves.

In the modern world, the lessons from this kaand of the Ramayan can be seen in families coming together to celebrate Diwali, just as Lakshman and Sita accompanied him into the forest of their own accord because they felt a sense of duty as family. For me and my extended family, Diwali is a time when we make rangolis designs,

Diwaliby Madhavi Raju Mandalia Wanza Youth Vice President


eat together, pray together and excitedly launch rockets together — and when they accidentally go into neighbor’s homes, we even apologise together.

As times change, our traditional practices are slowly starting to adapt. For example, chocolate is flaunted as the new substitute for traditional sweets. I used to live in a joint family and enjoyed making sweets in the kitchen for guests visiting us for Diwali. Today, we just buy them off the shelf and probably only make one sweet dish. I feel the personal touches are an important aspect of Diwali and something we should all look to preserve.

Speaking earlier of learning something new, maybe you could start with some light reading or understanding on what each of the 5 days of Diwali signify to us in the modern world? The 5 days being:

Day 1: Dhan TerasDay 2: Kali ChaudasDay 3: DeepavaliDay 4: Gujarati New YearDay 5: Bhai Beej

I know I learnt something new when I googled these. Maybe you will, too…


At home…Cooking:• Never fill more than one

third of your cooking pan with oil.

• If the oil starts to smoke, turn off the heat and leave it to cool.

• Never leave your cooking pans unattended with the heat switched on.

• If a fire does start don’t try to fight it yourself. Get out stay out, and call 999.

Candles and divas:• Use only enough ghee

or oil for a diva to last your puja.

• If you do need to leave a diva, candle or nightlight unattended, make sure it is resting securely on a surface that will not melt or burn.

• Keep the flame at a safe distance from curtains, decorations and clothing at all times.

Navratri, Diwali and Eid

Out and about…Burglary:• When you go out make

sure you lock your doors and windows, even if you’re only going out for a short time.

• Use a timer switch for lights and a radio to make it look like someone is at home.

Protect yourself:• Be aware of what is

happening around you and trust your instincts.

• If you feel unsafe change direction and go somewhere you feel safer and are more visible to other people.

• Avoid wearing headphones or talking on mobile phones as this can distract you.

Protect your belongings:• Be discreet with your

valuables, money and mobile phone and make sure it is not on show.

• If you’re wearing jewellery like a necklace, cover it with a scarf.

• Never leave anything on display in your car, whether it’s an expensive laptop or just some loose change. Even items of clothing can attract thieves as they may think that there will be money in the pockets.

• Lock your car at all times even if you leave it for a few seconds.

Remember…If you see anyone acting suspiciously in your neighbourhood call the police on 101 to report it.

Navratri and Diwali


At home…Cooking:• Never fill more than one

third of your cooking pan with oil.

• If the oil starts to smoke, turn off the heat and leave it to cool.

• Never leave your cooking pans unattended with the heat switched on.

• If a fire does start don’t try to fight it yourself. Get out stay out, and call 999.

Candles and divas:• Use only enough ghee

or oil for a diva to last your puja.

• If you do need to leave a diva, candle or nightlight unattended, make sure it is resting securely on a surface that will not melt or burn.

• Keep the flame at a safe distance from curtains, decorations and clothing at all times.

Navratri, Diwali and Eid

Out and about…Burglary:• When you go out make

sure you lock your doors and windows, even if you’re only going out for a short time.

• Use a timer switch for lights and a radio to make it look like someone is at home.

Protect yourself:• Be aware of what is

happening around you and trust your instincts.

• If you feel unsafe change direction and go somewhere you feel safer and are more visible to other people.

• Avoid wearing headphones or talking on mobile phones as this can distract you.

Protect your belongings:• Be discreet with your

valuables, money and mobile phone and make sure it is not on show.

• If you’re wearing jewellery like a necklace, cover it with a scarf.

• Never leave anything on display in your car, whether it’s an expensive laptop or just some loose change. Even items of clothing can attract thieves as they may think that there will be money in the pockets.

• Lock your car at all times even if you leave it for a few seconds.

Remember…If you see anyone acting suspiciously in your neighbourhood call the police on 101 to report it.


Information to help you celebrate Navratri, Diwali and Eid safely Report it...

Fire safety concerns Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Servicewww.leicestershire-fire.gov.uk | Call 0116 287 2241

Litter, graffiti, fly tipping, other environmental issues and anti-social behaviour Leicester City Councilwww.leicester.gov.uk | Call 0116 454 1000

Non-emergency incidents including crimes and anti-social behaviour Leicestershire Police www.leics.police.uk | Call 101Remember – in an emergency always call 999

Useful contactsCrimestoppers - provide information on crime anonymouslywww.crimestoppers-uk.org | Call 0800 555 111

Leicester Domestic Violence Helpline Call 0300 123 0918

Leicester Sexual Violence HelplineCall 0300 333 6533

independent crime-fighting charity


Information to help you celebrate Navratri, Diwali and Eid safely Report it...

Fire safety concerns Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Servicewww.leicestershire-fire.gov.uk | Call 0116 287 2241

Litter, graffiti, fly tipping, other environmental issues and anti-social behaviour Leicester City Councilwww.leicester.gov.uk | Call 0116 454 1000

Non-emergency incidents including crimes and anti-social behaviour Leicestershire Police www.leics.police.uk | Call 101Remember – in an emergency always call 999

Useful contactsCrimestoppers - provide information on crime anonymouslywww.crimestoppers-uk.org | Call 0800 555 111

Leicester Domestic Violence Helpline Call 0300 123 0918

Leicester Sexual Violence HelplineCall 0300 333 6533

independent crime-fighting charity


National Bhajan Samelan UtsavSunday 18th September from 9am to 4pm

at Shree Wanza Community Centre, Leicester

For the first time in UK, Shree Wanza Community, Leicester have organised a National Wanza Bhajan Samelan Utsav. Wanzas from across the UK have been invited to participate. It will be a full day programme of Dhoons, Kirtans, Jamunaji Loti Utsav, Bhajans and Garba. Morning nasta and Maha Prasadi at lunchtime will be provided.

We would like to encourage the younger Wanza generation to attend and participate. We are aware that there are many talented youths, and want to invite them to share their talent in singing Bhajans and Dhoons and playing musical instruments.

Anyone who wishes to take part please contact one of the organisers named below.

Samuh Bhajan

Anyone who wishes to dedicate and sponsor this event in memory of a loved one is most welcome. Please contact one of the organisers named below at least one week before the event.

If possible please attempt to bring photos to the centre on Saturday 17th September.

We are in the process of compiling a Bhajnavali book for Sadranjali (Sadri) ceremony. There will be a variety of bhajans and each page can be dedicated in memory of a loved one. More information will be provided during the event.

Jayendra Parmar:[email protected] 501 072

Vinod Shikotra:[email protected]

07522 297 590

samuh bhajans combined.indd 1 28/08/2016 14:28:00


National Bhajan Samelan UtsavSunday 18th September from 9am to 4pm

at Shree Wanza Community Centre, Leicester

For the first time in UK, Shree Wanza Community, Leicester have organised a National Wanza Bhajan Samelan Utsav. Wanzas from across the UK have been invited to participate. It will be a full day programme of Dhoons, Kirtans, Jamunaji Loti Utsav, Bhajans and Garba. Morning nasta and Maha Prasadi at lunchtime will be provided.

We would like to encourage the younger Wanza generation to attend and participate. We are aware that there are many talented youths, and want to invite them to share their talent in singing Bhajans and Dhoons and playing musical instruments.

Anyone who wishes to take part please contact one of the organisers named below.

Samuh Bhajan

Anyone who wishes to dedicate and sponsor this event in memory of a loved one is most welcome. Please contact one of the organisers named below at least one week before the event.

If possible please attempt to bring photos to the centre on Saturday 17th September.

We are in the process of compiling a Bhajnavali book for Sadranjali (Sadri) ceremony. There will be a variety of bhajans and each page can be dedicated in memory of a loved one. More information will be provided during the event.

Jayendra Parmar:[email protected] 501 072

Vinod Shikotra:[email protected]

07522 297 590

samuh bhajans combined.indd 1 28/08/2016 14:28:00


K I D SCan you colour in this Rangoli pattern?


Can you colour in this Rangoli pattern?


DANCEDANDIYADIVODIWALIGARBALIGHTMATAJIMUSICNAVRATRI

RAASRANGOLISWEETSRAMSITALAXMANHANUMANCOLOURSRAVAN

Word Search

Find these Navratri and Diwali related words in the wordsearch below.

K I D S



UPCOMING WANZA LEICESTER EVENTS

OCTOBER

Sat 1st to 9th

Navratri

Sun 16th

Havan

OCTOBERSun 23rdRangoli Competition

Mon 31stAnkot (Mandir)

SEPTEMBERSun 18thNational Bhajan Samelan Utsav9am onwards

NOVEMBERSun 6th Diwali Show

DECEMBER

Sun 18th Christmas Party


Navratri 2016 Dates

DATES EVENT DRESS CODE

Saturday 1st October GreenSunday 2nd October Sammuh Aarti (£5.25 per Aarti) Bhareli Monday 3rd October SilkTuesday 4th October BlueWednesday 5th October BandhniThursday 6th October RedFriday 7th October Best Dressed Competition (Male & Female) Best Raas / Garba Player (Male & Female) Chanya CholiSaturday 8th October Fancy Dress Competition GharchoruSunday 9th October Own choiceSunday 16th October Bandhni

Sunday & Weekdays: 7pm – 11pmFriday & Saturday: 7pm – late

Milk DonationsMonday to Thursday £51.00Friday, Saturday & Sunday: £75.00 To make a donation and to pay for your annual membership, please contact information desk during Navratri.

wanza.org | Pasture Lane, Leicester, LE1 4EY | 0116 251 0454 | [email protected]

Proud to be Leicester’s venue of choice

for vegetarian and alcohol-free events

Available to hire for all events, including:

EngagementsWeddings

ReceptionsReligious Events

Parties / CelebrationsAwards / Shows

ExhibitionsMeetings / Workshops

100% Vegetarian & Alcohol-free | Highly competitive prices

Large Mandir in the building | 3 multi-purpose halls under one roof

Central & convenient location just a 5 minute walk from the city centre

“An amazing venue! A great atm� phere & lots of room.Couldn’t have asked for more.”P.S. London

advert_02.indd 1 27/08/2016 16:23:26

Date post:	29-Jul-2018
Category:	Documents
Upload:	voanh
View:	243 times
Download:	0 times

WANZA · like the 108 Hanuman Chalisa, which Shree Wanza Community Leicester co-hosted in March...

Documents