Guru Purnima celebration in Neasden temple

The full moon day (purnima) of the Hindu lunar month of Ashadh is traditionally celebrated as Guru Purnima. Also known as Vyas Purnima, the day is observed by Hindus in remembrance of sage Veda Vyas who classified the Vedas and composed the eighteen Purans. The day is an occasion for Hindus around the world to offer their gratitude to the guru for his indispensable spiritual role in their lives. A special assembly of devotional songs, videos and discourses to celebrate Guru Purnima was held on Saturday 13 July 2019 at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, London (popularly known as the ‘Neasden Temple’) in the presence of Sadguru Pujya Ishwarcharan Swami – a senior and learned swami and the Convener of BAPS global activities. Youths began the evening programme by singing bhajans extolling the virtues of a guru. Swamis then discoursed on the unique qualities of a guru and the spiritual nourishment that a guru provides. Ishwarcharan Swami further elaborated on the ways in which aspirants can relate to the guru and be inspired to emulate his pure devotion to God and selfless service to society. In a pre-recorded video, His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj narrated the spiritual greatness of his gurus Yogiji Maharaj and Pramukh Swami Maharaj, before swamis and devoteesconcluded the celebrations by offering guru pujan to the sacred images of the gurus.