St. Petersburg,Russia: The Double Festival of Sunlight and Spiritual Rejuvenation. Celebrating Makar Sankranti and traditional Russian New Year at Lighthouse.
Did you know that Lohri, or Makar Sankranti, is known and celebrated not just in Bharat but in Russia as well? The traditional, or “old” New Year, observed on January 13-14, has been a much loved social and family festival here since centuries. The public event “On the Wave of Newness” on the occasion of the double festival that celebrates sunlight and rejuvenation of nature was held at Lighthouse, the Brahma Kumaris Centre in St. Petersburg, on January, 13. The northern city covered with a thick layer of snow, with winter temperatures now reaching 15o C below zero, saw a warm and sparkling program that included a deep spiritual talk, cultural extravaganza, a ceremony of burning away weaknesses and vices, a (win-win) lottery of New Year gifts, and a special treat for both adults and children.
Greeting residents of St. Petersburg, members of the Indian community, guests from other cities of Russia gathered at the Diamond Hall, Ms Neelam Rani, Consul General of India in St. Petersburg, said:
“I extend my warm wishes to all of you on the auspicious occasion of Makar Sankranti. I appreciate and admire the philosophy of the Brahma Kumaris which is benefiting humanity with the spiritual awakening. It shows the importance of positivity, of helping each other, of experiencing internal light and divine connection, of feeling the light, feeling Supreme Energy around you. And it also shows how everyone of us can contribute to global peace and help millions of people who have been uprooted, who are starving. You are bringing the timeless wisdom of India to people across borders, facilitating the convergence of cultures. It is the wisdom of values, of peaceful coexistence, of humanity.”
Addressing the audience, Didi Santosh, Brahma Kumaris director (St. Petersburg) said, “We are the children of the Supreme Bestower of Happiness and Remover of Sorrow. So our life should also be free from pain and sorrow, for only then can we become His instruments in removing pain and sorrow from the life of others. We can check if the rays of the Supreme Sun of wisdom are present in our life through 2 signs: 1) purity, positive mind and clean heart. And secondly, it’s mercy and benevolent feelings in our hearts for everyone.
‘Today we are celebrating here with happiness, but at the same time 675 million people on the planet are starving, more than 2 billion people have no access to clean drinking water. The number of burning conflict zones on the globe is increasing. The problem of displaced people has existed since long, but we have been witnessing more than 117 millions of displaced people in the last 5 years only, and the numbers are increasing. At such a time when the collective fruit of karmas of the entire mankind is emerging in front of us, our hearts call out to the Supreme Father. And the Sun of Knowledge comes at this time of darkness and despair to rejuvenate us, to re-ignite the light of all the souls. Makar Sankranti and the Russian traditional, “old” New Year are a beautiful memorial of that great event in world history.”
Didi ji urged everyone to create a determined thought: “From now on, I will co-operate with my thoughts, words, actions, relations and connections in making the life of all the souls around me elevated, pure and happy.”
Prof. Elena Kalinina, chairperson of St. Petersburg department of Russia’s Union of Women, rector of Social and Economic Institute, ambassador of St. Petersburg, said:
“I am very grateful to Didi Santosh and the Brahma Kumaris centre for their active participation in the events organized by the Union of Women, including multiple BRICS conferences and round tables held with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”
Ms Elena Kalinina handed over to Didi Santosh the Letter of Appreciation for her contribution in organizing and holding XXX International conference “Women Changing the World”.
Prof. Alexander Koshurko, president, International Association of Eminent Figures of Science, Culture, Education and Art, handed over to Didi Santosh the Certificate of Honorary Membership in the Association.
Mr Albert Asadullin, national singer of Russia, and Ms Marina Malysheva, known as the Russian “Disney Voice” (she performed the main vocal parts in “The Lion King” and other Disney’s movies in Russian), thrilled the audience with beautiful classical and modern songs in Russian, English, and Italian.
Ms Ekaterina Kirmel, chairperson of St. Petersburg department of All-Russia movement “Mothers of Russia”, holder of the title of Ms Russia-2015, greeted everyone of the occasion of the New Year, especially appreciating the professional and highly emotional cultural presentation that everyone could enjoy at the event.
A wonderful voice message received from Grandfather Frost unfolded the mystery of how at the end of the World Cycle, at the darkest hour, the Supreme Star and the great-grandfather of humanity come to save the world from the darkness of negativity and vices.
A short yet informative and enlightening video presentation introduced the viewers to the physical and spiritual significance of Makar Sankranti and the details of its celebration in various states of Bharat.
Makar Sankranti cannot be imagined without flying kites! But how can we do it when it’s dark and freezing outside? Well, every participant of the event got a tiny paper kite with a tear-off part on which they wrote down the weakness or shortcoming they would leave this year. A sacred sacrificial fire space was arranged in the foyer of the Lighthouse, and everyone could burn away their weaknesses in the fire of that yagya, thus freeing themselves from all the burden in order to fly high! And while leaving, everyone was carrying with them special lovely gifts and boxes with sweets made with sesame seeds and jaggery!
