Cherry Hill Sun

Tag: BAPS

  • BAPS temple hosts week of Diwali events

    Cherry Hill’s BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir temple kicked off its five-day Diwali celebration on Oct. 18 with food, prayer and religious offerings.

    The holiday marks the Festival of Lights and the triumph of good over evil celebrated by the Hindu community. The temple also welcomed non-Hindus from throughout the region.

    Courtesy of Cherry Hill Township
    Congressman Donald Norcross, Mayor Dave Fleisher and other elected officials at the BAPS Cherry Hill temple for Diwali.

    “It was a pleasure for me to visit the Cherry Hill BAPS Temple … to celebrate Diwali,” said Mayor Dave Fleisher, “and I wish all who celebrate a joyous and peaceful holiday.” 

    He and other officials wore colorful garlands known as mala around the neck, a Diwali tradition.

    “Cherry Hill is a diverse community that welcomes and embraces people of all faiths,” Fleisher noted. “For our Indian community, Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is one of the most important and widely celebrated holidays with a message for us all, that there is always light waiting to shine through the darkness.”

    For Diwali, early worshippers would leave offerings of food on tiered platforms in front of the temple altar. Each of the five days of its celebration represents an aspect of the Hindu religion by honoring gods and methods of worship.

    The night of Oct. 20 at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir was set aside to pray for business owners, with several of them bringing their financial books to the temple to be blessed for the coming new year.

    Temple head priest Ashok Dave explained the meaning behind Diwali as a way of cleansing a person’s spirit.

    “It drives out the darkness,” he pointed out. “Not physical darkness, but the darkness of when one has bad thoughts or does bad actions.”

    As Diwali wrapped on Oct. 22, temple members gathered for prayers and some headed to the BAPS temple in Robbinsville to worship and pray.

  • ‘Inspiring energy’ at a community blood drive

    Courtesy of BAPS Swaminarayan Temple
    Donors check in at the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple drive on July 20, an effort to increase donations during summer, when they tend to go down.


    A steady stream of donors filed through 1 Carnegie Plaza on July 20 as the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Cherry Hill hosted a blood drive in partnership with New York Blood Center Enterprises.

    The six-hour drive drew residents from across South Jersey for a day of giving and service, including Sapana Raval, vice president of the Voorhees-Gibbsboro Lions Club, who pointed out that the need for blood donations in the state is critical.

    “Summer months tend to see a drop in donations,” she explained. “Meanwhile, hospitals continue to rely on steady supplies for surgeries, trauma and cancer care. We also have to be prepared for emergencies and natural disasters that increase demand.”

    “The motivation behind organizing this blood drive at the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple stems from our deep commitment to serving the community and fostering a culture of giving,” said Kiritkumar (KD) Patel, one of the drive’s organizers.

    “Blood donation is a vital act that can save lives,” Patel added. “By hosting this event at our temple, we aimed to inspire our community members to contribute to a noble cause.”

    BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, a globally recognized Hindu spiritual organization, is known for combining spiritual growth with community service. The blood drive reflected that dual mission, said another organizer.

    “This initiative truly embodies the values of compassion and unity that are central to our faith,” Yogini Patel related. “Our partnership with the New York Blood Center was founded on a shared vision of making a positive impact on public health. Their experience and support helped us make this event a success.”

    Blood drive volunteers managed check-ins and refreshments, with medical professionals on hand to guide each donor through the process.

    “The community’s response has been overwhelmingly positive,” KD Patel pointed out. “We had many donors walk in and express gratitude for the opportunity. The energy here today is inspiring.”

    Raval praised the drive’s calming atmosphere.

    “Staff were very attentive, making sure everyone felt safe and informed,” she said. “It’s not just about the blood – it’s about creating a positive experience so people will want to donate again.”

    Raval also offered quick after-care tips for donors: “Stay hydrated, eat something light after donating and avoid strenuous activity for the rest of the day. Most importantly, feel proud of your contribution – and consider doing it again.”

    Organizers confirmed that the temple’s blood drive won’t be its last.

    “We’re committed to doing this every year,” promised Yogini Patel. “This isn’t just a one-time act. It’s part of a larger mission to serve our neighbors and encourage a spirit of giving.”


  • Hundreds inspired to walk ‘with a purpose’

    Voorhees native Dr. Jatin Mehta (left), the walkathon’s local organizer, with Cherry Hill Mayor Dave Fleisher.

    More than 500 walkers gathered at Cooper River Park on June 8 for the annual BAPS Charities Walkathon, an event organized by a Voorhees native.

    The walkathon is one of more than 1,000 events organized by BAPS Charities across North America that draw more than 40,000 participants annually. BAPS is a volunteer-driven, international nonprofit that engages in health awareness, education, humanitarian relief, environmental protection and community empowerment.

    The walkathon was kicked off by Cherry Hill Mayor Dave Fleisher and Camden County Sheriff Chuck Billingham, whose presence organizers said “helps inspire hundreds to walk for a purpose.”

    Organizer Dr. Jatin Mehta reflected on the deeper meaning behind the effort.

    “The ‘spirit of service’ means doing something from the heart without expecting anything in return,” he noted of the day’s theme. “That’s exactly how BAPS volunteers approach their service.”

    What makes the Cherry Hill walk unique, Mehta added, is its strong regional support and inclusive nature.

    “We see participants and volunteers from Camden, Gloucester and Burlington counties,” he said. “It’s a real example of people coming together across communities.”

    The walkathon not only raises funds, but also cultivates empathy and understanding, especially among youth, according to Mehta.

    “Younger generations gain so much inspiration, not just from walking, but from volunteering, reaching out and truly engaging with the community,” he explained. “Events like this (the walkathon) foster teamwork, build compassion and help us understand one another better.”

    While the funds raised during the walkathon contribute to both local and global charitable causes – including disaster relief and environmental efforts – the heart of the effort is its ability to bring people together.

    As for the future of the campaign, Mehta is hopeful.

    “The ‘spirit of service’ is about promoting good, one person at a time,” he pointed out. “It grows through small acts and helps us build stronger communities for generations to come.”

    For more information about BAPS Charities and their work, visit www.bapscharities.org.