Hundreds of families from across the UK and Europe participated in a special mahapuja on Monday 1 January 2025 – joining together to pray for global peace, family unity, and a prosperous year ahead.
Families, including worshippers and community members gathered at London Mandir for two sessions, one in the morning and another in the afternoon. Many others participated online through a live webcast from their homes, taking the opportunity to adorn their ghar mandirs, prepare sweet treats as a family, and make various devotional offerings to the murtis.
The sacred ceremony was led by resident swamis of London Mandir, with support from youths, in the presence of Pujya Gnaneshwardas Swami, a senior BAPS swami visiting from India. As the swamis chanted Vedic mantras to invoke the divine presence of God, they shared insights to help enhance the participants’ understanding and enjoyment of the deeply meaningful ceremony.
This event allowed families to welcome the new year with a collective spirit of faith and optimism. Meera Patel, who attended the prayers with her family, expressed, “What a meaningful way to step into the new year! The atmosphere in the Mandir was truly serene and uplifting. It was heartwarming to see everyone united in prayer for those in need. My two young girls were fully engrossed and even took a moment to offer their own prayers for those who are struggling.”
Yogvivekdas Swami, Head Swami of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha in the UK and Europe, shared, “The arrival of the new year instils a fresh sense of faith and optimism. His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj encourages us to foster kindness, unity, and positivity. It was uplifting to witness so many individuals starting the year with prayers for others. We also hope that the blessings and spiritual energy from this mahapuja will continue to echo throughout 2025 and beyond, leaving a lasting impression on our global community.”