BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, London has fostered a profound sense of community spirit since it was inaugurated by Pramukh Swami Maharaj in 1995.
During July and August this year, sadhus from the Mandir and Atmaswarup Swami, visiting from India, joined members of various local communities in London who had invited them to talk about the inspiring work of the Mandir since its opening.
Meetings were organised by the below groups or at venues close to the respective communities:
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National Congress of Gujarati Associations
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Hariben Bachubhai Nagrecha Hall, East London
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Sattavis Patidar Centre, Wembley
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North London Lohana Community Centre, South Harrow
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Namdhari Sikh Sangat, Southall
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Maina Freight Forwarders, Southall
Atmaswarup Swami addressed the congregation at the events, in which he talked about the contributions of the Mandir over the past 20 years. Leading members of the respective groups paid tribute to its place in and partnership with communities throughout London and the country.
As another and recent example of the universal reach of Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s work, Atmaswarup Swami also drew upon Transcendence: My Spiritual Experiences with Pramukh Swamiji, the final book written by former President of India, the late Dr APJ Abdul Kalam.
The visits were very well received and many attendees expressed an interest to be informed about the Mandir’s on-going community activities.