PRAYERS and discourses marked the 86th birthday celebrations of His Holiness Pujya Mahant Swami Maharaj, the spiritual leader of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), last Saturday (28).
At the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in north London (popularly known as the Neasden Temple), young people sang bhajans.
Saints also gave a series of discourses exploring Mahant Swami Maharaj’s devotion to God, and his “selfless compassion for humanity”.
Baba Ramdev, the popular yoga guru, addressed the congregation and paid tribute to the life and work of Mahant Swami Maharaj, saying, “the divine light and virtues of Pramukh Swami Maharaj can be observed today in Mahant Swami Maharaj.”
A cultural programme was held by the Women’s Wing and young female devotees performed a dance as part of the festivities.
Saints concluded the festivities with a ritual offering of flowers to Mahant Swami Maharaj as a mark of reverence and devotion.
Mahant Swami Maharaj’s birth celebrations were also held at the temple last Tuesday (23), when it was his birthday according to the Hindu calendar. A special evening assembly of discourses and bhajans was held to mark the day.
Forsyth was awarded a CBE for services to literature in 1997Getty Images
