Hindu Mandir of Lake County Honors Mother’s Day with Special Celebration

HI INDIA NEWS DESK
GRAYSLAKE, IL -On May 14th, 2023, the Hindu Mandir of Lake County in Grayslake, IL celebrated Matru Divas (Mother’s Day) with great enthusiasm. More than 150 devotees gathered to honor mothers and motherhood. The event aimed to recognize and appreciate the sacrifices that mothers make throughout their lives to ensure the well-being and development of their children.

The temple priests, Pt. Anil Joshi Ji, Pt. Radha Krishna Ji, and Pt. Balaji Gopal Ji, performed the Abhishekam and Pujan rituals of Lord Ganesh, the Trinity (Ma Saraswati, Ma Gauri, Ma Lakshmi), along with Jagat Janani, Janma Janani, Pritvi, Gau Mata, Ganga Mayya, and Gayatri Ma (another mother of Kali Yuga). They chanted Devi Mantras with deep devotion. After the Abhishekam, a group of 10 young children, aged 6 to 12 years, honored approximately 50 Matru Shakti (mothers) in the traditional Hindu way. The children washed the feet of the mothers, offered them Tilak, Akshata, Pushpam, Vastram, and gifts, and finally performed Arati and touched the feet of all the mothers. The celebration followed Indian traditions in its entirety.

Melodious Bhajans were sung by Rita Patel, Athul Soni, and Kamalesh Dasai. Pt. Anil Joshi Ji gave a brief discourse on the importance of Mother’s Day in our lives. He emphasized that in Hinduism, every day is a Mother’s Day. The celebration was established to provide an opportunity for children to bond with their mothers, acknowledge their struggles and efforts, express their love, and convey how much their mothers mean to them. Additionally, it aimed to instill respect for all other mothers, including those of friends and neighbors. Joshi Ji further explained that this perspective helps children develop stronger spirituality, social bonds, and become active members of the global community.

The Grayslake Temple regularly observes all Hindu festivals to preserve Indian traditions and culture. It actively involves children in various activities, fostering enthusiasm and pride in their parents. The celebration concluded with Maha Mangalarati performed by all the devotees and the distribution of Maha Prasadam, which was prepared by the Temple Kitchen team led by Pramila Datt and Madhu Sharma, to all the devotees.