CELEBRATING BRITISH HINDU CONTRIBUTIONS

Yogvivekdas Swami

A very inspiring event at the iconic Neasden Temple ‘Celebrating British Hindu Contributions’ on 19 May 2023 brought together over 40 diverse Hindu communities from around the UK to celebrate the wide array of contributions from British Hindus. The Head Swami of the Neasden Temple Sadhu Yogvivekdas Swami delivered the welcome speech.

Namaste, Jay Swaminarayan, and a very warm welcome to everyone present here today. I am honoured to welcome you all for this very special celebration of British Hinduism at Neasden Temple.

Today’s event is OUR event – an event for ALL Hindus across the country. His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, the spiritual leader of BAPS, has organised this event for us to celebrate our collective contributions, to learn from each other, to be inspired, and to make meaningful connections with one another. This is Mahant Swami Maharaj’s vision for our gathering today.

In 1991, when Pramukh Swami Maharaj placed the foundation stone of this mandir and in 1995 when he inaugurated this mandir – on both occasions, he echoed one sentiment: he said this mandir is for all people and that this mandir will serve Sanatan Hindu Dharma, it will nourish faith in God, and it will bring peace to all those who visit. So I’m sure Pramukh Swami Maharaj is delighted at this event organised tonight, as the mandir is serving the purpose for which he had created it.

As we know, Hinduism is the world’s oldest living religion, with a rich cultural and spiritual heritage. Over the years, Hinduism has spread across the world, and today it is practised by millions of people, including those of us here in the United Kingdom.

We are gathered here today to celebrate the rich cultural and spiritual heritage of Hinduism in Britain.

Today’s event is an opportunity to deepen our understanding of the rich and diverse spiritual traditions that make up British Hinduism. Today’s event is an moment for us to connect with each other. Today’s event is a time to celebrate our shared values and to honour the valuable contributions that British Hindus have made and continue to make to our society.

So it gives me great pleasure – on behalf of guru Mahant Swami Maharaj and everyone who is a part of the BAPS Swaminarayan Hindu fellowship in the UK – to welcome you all to this evening titled ‘Celebrating British Hindu Contributions’.

I pray to all our Hindu deities, gurus and sages that we are all collectively enriched and inspired this evening. Thank you.

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan

Mandir, Neasden hosted an inspiring community event on 24 May 2023 in the presence of His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj and esteemed guests from all over the country. The event was a testament to unity, community service, and interfaith harmony.

Paramtattvadas Swami gave an amazing and inspiring intro of HH Mahant Swami Maharaj.

Ihavesix minutes. Six minutes to introduce someone who embodies the millennia of goodness from the Hindu faith.

Six minutes to explain how he is the sixth direct spiritual successor in a tradition that is over 200 years old, revealed by Bhagwan Swaminarayan at the turn of the 19th century.

Six minutes – well, five and a half now – to unpack not just a Hindu