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On Friday, 10 September 2021, Divine Life Society of S.A. celebrated online, one of the most popular Hindu Festivals, Sri Ganesha Chaturthi. Our online Satsang commenced with Ganga Arati at 5.30pm followed by Satsang.Sri Ganesha is the Power that removes obstacles by the force of Knowledge. Sri Ganesha, among other things, is the Devata of spiritual Knowledge. Sages say that because Lord Ganesha removes all the obstacles on the path of the spiritual aspirant, and bestows upon him worldly as well as spiritual success, He is called Vigna Vinayaka.

The celebration on 8 September 2021began online from 5 - 6am witha short invocation and the chanting of the Sri Hanuman Chalisa, 11 times, being the culmination of the 41-day Vrata. We must note that beloved Pujya Swami Sahajananda had encouraged all to recite the Sri Hanuman Chalisa daily for protection, safety, peace and the welfare of the world. In this critical period faced by the world at large, collective recital of the Sri Hanuman Chalisa will assist in counteracting the scourges of our times. In view of the life-threatening coronavirus pandemic and instability still prevailing, we urge all to continue reciting the Sri Hanuman Chalisa as often as possible

While chanting, devotees respectfully paid homage to our Divine Master, Sri Swami Sivananda, who "by his dedicated life of selfless service and artless love, proved to a sceptic world the infinite potentialities that lay hidden in every human soul. He was a living embodiment of the Gita, the Koran, and all the Gospels of the world. His word was love. His deed was love. His every thought was tinged with mercy and compassion". These moving words were extracted from Sri Ananthanarayanan's book, From Man to God-man.

Our online programme on Friday, 20 August 2021, commenced with Ganga Arati at 5.30pm followed by Satsang. In the book, Hindu Fasts and Festivals, our Divine Master, Sri Swami Sivananda, gives us the following explanation, "Lord Siva describes the glory of this Vrata in the Skanda Purana. It is performed by a woman whose husband is still living. Maha Lakshmi is the abode of auspiciousness, prosperity and wealth. This worship of Her is done to obtain good progeny, and for the health and long life of the husband.

"The Vrata is observed on the Friday immediately preceding the full moon day of the month of Sravan (August – September). After a purificatory bath, the lady should put on fresh, clean clothes and make a mandala with a drawing of a lotus upon it. A kalasha filled with rice and topped with fresh mango leaves, and a coconut and cloth are placed in the mandala. Mother Lakshmi is now invoked therein. Fresh grains are used in the worship as they convey the idea of growth and prosperity.

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