NEW HINDU PLACE OF WORSHIP WILL ALSO BE A COMMUNITY HUB
A NEW Hindu temple was inaugurated in the presence of two senior saints visiting from India last Saturday (9).
The celebrations of the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Chigwell, Essex, were held in the presence of Anandswarupdas Swami and Bhadreshdas Swami.
The mandir hopes to serve the local Hindu community and act as a hub to host charitable activities for the wider east London area.
Last weekend’s launch was marked with a mahapuja (prayers for peace and prosperity). This was followed by a cultural programme of religious singing and sermons from the gurus who explained the historical context and meaning of the temples.
Finally, several short video presentations were screened to tell the story behind the development of the spiritual and community activities in east London, and the history of the new project.
The spiritual head of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), His Holiness Pujya Mahant Swami Maharaj, had previously performed the murti-pratishtha (a special religious ceremony) of the mandir last October.
Following the ceremony conducted by HH Pujya Mahant Swami, volunteers worked on the completion of the adjoining cultural building. Celebrations last week highlighted the conclusion of their efforts.
Girish Patel, one of the lead volunteers at the mandir, said the temple would play an “important” part in the east London region.
“We are delighted to see so many members of the local community coming together to celebrate this momentous occasion with us,” Patel said.
Other guests at the event included Dame Eleanor Laing, MP for Epping Forest and deputy speaker of the House of Commons; Cllr Darshan Sungar; Cllr Gagan Mohindra; Cllr Aniket Patel and members of Epping Forest district council.
The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Neasden, London, is one of the most well-known temples in the UK.
Kulsuma Aktergetty images