Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Janmashtami festival held at Bhaktivedanta Manor

Janmashtami festival held at Bhaktivedanta Manor

ISKCON Bhaktivedanta Manor organised its annual Janmashtami festival between August 28 and 30. The three-day ticketed programme saw around 35,000 visitors but never were there more than 4,500 attendees at a given point of time.

The organisers took full care of the fact that the number of visitors were evenly spread over three days of the festival to mark the birth occasion of Lord Krishna in order to prevent overcrowding. Covid protocols, including social distancing, hand sanitising, checking of temperature, wearing of masks, were strictly observed. The temple management worked closely with the local health authorities and the Hertsmere Council to ensure that a safe event was held.


Untitled design 4 A little contestant at the annual Janmashtami festival at Bhaktivedanta Manor.

The volunteers who were present at the event were trained and LFT-tested.

Because of the pandemic, the festival this year was a scaled-down affair. The organisers’ main focus was to ensure safety of the attendees.

Traffic management was also put in place in order to avoid congestion.

Temple president Her Grace Visakha Dasi said,“It is so wonderful that so many people were able to experience the atmosphere and spiritual upliftment of visiting Bhaktivedanta Manor. I want to thank the hundreds of volunteers who have made the festival possible by their dedication and service.”

Untitled design 5 Volunteers serve food to the attendees.

Ambika, a 21-year-old from Brent, who served as a volunteer in the car-parking team, said, “I have not been able to serve at the temple for over a year and now it is so exciting that I could spend time with my friends to volunteer to make this festival safe and successful.”

Eighty-three-year-old Lilaben Patel from Harrow contributed to one of the Manor’s three kitchens by chopping vegetables. She also volunteered to help prepare thousands of plates of free vegetarian food that guests enjoyed over the three days.

Untitled design 7 Visitors feed a cow at the Bhaktivedanta Manor facility.

Twenty tonnes of vegetables were used during the festival, with volunteers manning stoves around the clock.

Following a brief pause at the beginning of the first lockdown in the UK in March last year, Bhaktivedanta Manor has remained open for private prayers.

Untitled design 8 Guests perform at the Janmashtami festival.

The temple, which was originally gifted to the International Society for Krishna Consciousness by the late Beatle George Harrison, is located on 77 acres of land outside Watford and hosts the largest Hindu festivals in the UK. It is also one of the most important pilgrimage sites and hosts courses, workshops, civic marriages, worship and other activities.

More For You

Police officers

Police officers stand guard between an anti fascist group and Tommy Robinson supporters during an anti-immigration rally organised by British anti-immigration activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson, in London, Britain, September 13, 2025.

REUTERS/Jaimi Joy

UK defends France migrant returns deal after court blocks first removal

THE British government has defended its new migrant returns deal with France after a High Court ruling temporarily blocked the deportation of an Eritrean asylum seeker, marking an early legal setback to the scheme.

The 25-year-old man, who arrived in Britain on a small boat from France on August 12, was due to be placed on an Air France flight from Heathrow to Paris on Wednesday (17) morning. But on Tuesday (16), Judge Clive Sheldon granted an interim injunction, saying there was a “serious issue to be tried” over his claim to be a victim of trafficking.

Keep ReadingShow less
Asian surgeon sentenced to six years for sexual assault

Dr Amal Bose. (Photo: Lancashire Police)

Asian surgeon sentenced to six years for sexual assault

AN ASIAN senior heart surgeon, who abused his position to sexually assault female members of staff, has been jailed for six years.

Dr Amal Bose, from Lancaster, was convicted of 12 counts of sexual assault against five colleagues at Blackpool Victoria Hospital between 2017 and 2022. He was cleared of two other charges.

Keep ReadingShow less
Modi & Trump

Donald Trump and Narendra Modi shake hands as they attend a joint press conference at the White House on February 13, 2025.

Reuters

Trump greets Modi on 75th birthday, trade talks continue in Delhi

Highlights:

  • Both leaders reaffirm commitment to India-US partnership
  • Trade talks resume in New Delhi amid tariff tensions
  • India defends purchase of discounted Russian oil

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump on Tuesday called Indian prime minister Narendra Modi and greeted him ahead of his 75th birthday. The phone call sparked hopes of a reset in India-US ties, which had been under strain after Washington doubled tariffs on Indian goods to 50 per cent.

Keep ReadingShow less
​Donald Trump and Melania Trump

Donald Trump and Melania Trump exit Air Force One after arriving at London Stansted Airport for a state visit on September 16, 2025 in Stansted, Essex.

Getty Images

UK rolls out royal welcome as Trump begins second state visit

Highlights:

  • Trump begins his second state visit to the UK with a royal welcome at Windsor Castle
  • Prince William, Catherine, King Charles and Queen Camilla take part in ceremony
  • State banquet and trade talks with prime minister Keir Starmer scheduled
  • Protests and security operation mark visit amid political challenges

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump began his unprecedented second state visit to Britain on Wednesday with a lavish welcome from King Charles and the royal family at Windsor Castle.

Keep ReadingShow less
11th UK Gatka Championship

All winners received medals and trophies

UK Parliament

11th UK Gatka Championship ends with Welsh debut and £1,000 support for Gatka Akharas

Highlights:

  • The 11th UK National Gatka Championship was hosted near Cardiff, marking the first time in Wales.
  • Winners included Roop Kaur (girls), Navjot Singh (boys), and Gurdeep Singh (men’s).
  • Gatka Federation UK awarded £1,000 to each participating Akhara to support martial arts promotion.
  • Chief guests included MP Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi and Harjeet Singh Grewal, President of the World Gatka Federation.

Gatka Championship marks Welsh debut

The 11th UK National Gatka Championship concluded on a high note near Cardiff, Wales, showcasing the traditional Sikh martial art with flair. Seven leading Gatka Akharas participated, thrilling spectators with their lightning-fast strikes, precision moves and elegant techniques.

Inauguration by global leaders

The tournament was inaugurated by Harjeet Singh Grewal, President of the World Gatka Federation (WGF) and the National Gatka Association of India (NGAI). He was joined by Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi MP, President of Gatka Federation UK, alongside other dignitaries including Jagbir Singh Jagga Chakar, President of Wales Kabaddi Club, and community leaders from the Haveli Hotel Pontyclun.

Keep ReadingShow less