The auspicious day of Prabodhini Ekadashi, Kartik sud 11 (Sunday 9 November 2008), was celebrated in traditional style at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Neasden, London.
The first day of the Dev Diwali period, Prabodhini Ekadashi is the day on which Bhagwan Swaminarayan was initiated (1800 CE) and also the anniversary on which He was handed the reins of the Sampradaya by His Guru Ramanand Swami (1801 CE). It is also the day on which Pramukh Swami Maharaj was initiated as a parshad by Shastriji Maharaj (1939 CE).
In remembrance of these events, a special sabha was held in the evening where Yogvivek Swami spoke of the historical and spiritual significance of the occasion. A video presentation of Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s blessings in Bochasan from earlier the same day also revived memories of previous celebrations, including the 2006 shakotsav in London in the presence of Swamishri himself.
Over a hundred varieties of vegetables were decoratively offered to the murtis in all of the shrines of the mandir. After the ceremonial arti at 7pm, the gathered devotees had the opportunity to take home the vegetables as prasad.