BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Luton joined thousands of others around the UK on the evening of Thursday 2 June 2022 in lighting a Beacon to commemorate the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.
The Beacon formed a part of the official national celebrations marking 70 years since Her Majesty ascended the throne.
More than three thousand Beacons had been lit by charities, communities and faith groups all over the UK. In addition, Beacons were lit in all 54 Commonwealth capitals, with the Principal Beacon lit in a special ceremony at Buckingham Palace.
The Beacon at the Mandir was lit by Deputy Lord Lieutenant Deborah Inskip OBE and formed part of a special community celebration organised by the Mandir to pay its own personal tribute to The Queen.
The ceremony began with young children singing Vedic peace prayers. The cultural programme went on to include children carrying a lantern with the flame to the Beacon and the singing of the national anthem.
Deputy Lord Lieutenant Inskip remarked at the ceremony, “It is a total pleasure to be here this evening and what a wonderful welcome you have given me. It is such a joy to celebrate Her Majesty’s 70 years on the throne. None of us will ever see a Platinum Jubilee again and I really enjoyed looking around your beautiful temple.”
Sheila Rathod, a lead BAPS volunteer, added, “Her Majesty’s longevity of leadership has provided comfort and assurance to the nation. We are delighted to have all BAPS Hindu mandirs around the UK join in the international celebrations and pay tribute to her seven decades of public service.”
Fittingly, the lighting ceremony coincided with the start of a series of yagnas – Vedic peace prayers offered to a sacred flame – marking the centennial birth anniversary of His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the inspirer of the mandir in Luton. He also lived a life dedicated to selfless service, embodying his teaching: “In the joy of others lies our own.”