BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Preston brought together hundreds of members of the community for an inspiring celebration on Saturday 30 April 2022 to commemorate the birth centenary of His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj.
Pramukh Swami Maharaj was one of the world’s great spiritual leaders, serving as a global ambassador of peace, harmony and selfless service, working tirelessly for the greater good of humanity. His life embodied his timeless, universal teaching: “In the joy of others lies our own.”
Throughout 2022, hundreds of thousands around the world have been honouring and celebrating his inspiring life of selfless service, devotion and spirituality through a series of uplifting programmes for the whole family.
The event in Preston included insightful talks, video shows, a panel discussion, traditional Indian folk dancing and devotional singing. Swamis from India and the UK, performers of various ages from across the country as well as members of the local community all came together to deliver this inspiring two-hour programme.
Various charity partners, faith representatives and civic leaders also shared their personal experiences on how the work of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha inspired by Pramukh Swami Maharaj has supported individuals, families, and the wider community in their local region.
Distinguished guests who joined the local congregation for this devotional celebratory event included Cllr Peter Moss, Former Deputy Leader of Preston City Council, and Dr Sakthi Karunanithi, Director of Public Health at Lancashire County Council.
Cllr Moss spoke about the wonderful spirituality, hospitality and peaceful friendship BAPS and Pramukh Swami Maharaj exemplified. Dr Sakthi spoke eloquently of unity and friendship that such events foster within the community. He added his personal sentiments regarding the teaching of ‘Ghar Sabha’ and encouraged everyone to “look at the values of your guru [Pramukh Swami Maharaj] and take one of these values home and implement it with your family for happy healthy and peaceful living.”
Neetal Parekh, one of the volunteers who helped organise the event, added, “Pramukh Swami Maharaj has done so much for me and my family personally, so it was a real honour to pay tribute to him and share his values and far-reaching work with the community here in Preston and Lancashire. I truly believe imbibing even one lesson from the life of Pramukh Swami Maharaj can make our world a better place for us and our children.”