His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj –the present guru of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), landed at Luton Airport at 4.59 am on Tuesday. He was warmly received by Yogvivekdas Swami, Head of Neasden Temple, Prabuddhamunidas Swami and Santos.
A large number of haribhakts gathered on the way to welcome Mahant Swami Maharaj. A magnificent Swagat was organised at the Neasden Temple. Mahant Swami Maharaj is in the UK from 2 May to 8 June to inspire faith, service and global harmony. Soon after landing, Mahant Swami Maharaj told the devotees waiting at London Mandir, "Just as you are all eager to be with me, it is no less for me. I am just as eager for all your darshan!"
His Holiness’s visit will bring renewed hope, energy and enthusiasm across communities in the UK who, in recent times, have experienced uncertainty and adversity through the Covid-19 pandemic, cost-of-living difficulties, and various other challenges. Many haribhaktas across the UK and Europe have observed special vrats and niyams as a devotional form of swagat for His Holiness. Various programmes and community events have been organised in his presence. These will be focussed on strengthening faith, mobilising community service and inspiring harmony among people of all generations and backgrounds.
Mahant Swami Maharaj visited the UK for the first time as the leader of BAPS in 2017, having previously visited the UK and Europe on several occasions since 1970. This visit will also coincide with the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla. This momentous event and associated celebratory and community events will also be marked in His Holiness’s presence.
Sanjay Kara, a trustee at the Temple, explains, “News of Mahant Swami Maharaj’s visit has lifted the community. So many people have experienced challenging times of late; his spiritual wisdom and presence here in the UK will bring much optimism, joy and stability.”
Various programmes and community events from 2 May to 8 June
Sat 6 May
Puja Darshan: For devotees from the following centres only:
Edinburgh- London Brent - Luton
Chiltern - London Enfield - Milton Keynes
Cardiff - London Finchley - Swindon
Bristol - London Harrow - Watford
London West - Welwyn Hatfield
Time: 6.00 am to 7.30 am
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Swagat Din 1: For devotees from the above centres only:
Time: 5.30 pm to 8.00 pm
Sun 7 May
Puja Darshan: For devotees from the following centres only:
Birmingham – Hinckley - Nottingham
Brighton – Leeds- Oxford
Cambridge – Leicester - Preston
Colchester - London East - Reading
Coventry - London South - Southend-on-Sea
Crawley - London South East - Wellingborough
Derby – Loughborough - Any not listed
Havant - Manchester
Time: 6.00 am to 7.30 am
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Swagat Din 2: For devotees from the above centres only:
Time: 5.30 pm to 8.00 pm
Mon 8 May
Puja Darshan: With special blessings for students undergoing exams.
Time: 6.00 am to 7.30 am
Evening: Prapti Din | Kirtan Aradhana
A melodious musical evening celebrating the spiritual attainment of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, in his divine presence.
Time: 5.30 pm to 8.00 pm
Wed 10 May
Puja Darshan
Time: 6.00 am to 7.30 am
Thu 11 May
Puja Darshan
Time: 6.00 am to 7.30 am
Fri 12 May
Puja Darshan
Time: 6.00 am to 7.30 am
Sat 13 May
Puja Darshan
Time: 6.00 am to 7.30 am
Morning: Mahila Din | Sagpan Tam Sathe: A Spiritual Bond that Defies Boundaries
Explore the divine relationship between female devotees and Bhagwan and the Guru through an enlightening programme of mono-acts, dramas, presentations and dances. In the presence of Shri Akshar-Purushottam Maharaj.
Time: 9.00 am to 12.00 pm
Sat 13 May
Evening: Family Din | Satsang at Home: A New Way. Swami’s Way
What’s the most effective way to do satsang? At mandir, on our own, or with our family? Using technology or books? Discover a new way to do satsang at home with our children, using Swami’s way.
Time: 5.30 pm to 8.00 pm
Sun 14 May
Puja Darshan
Priority seating for registered participants.
Time: 6.00 am to 7.30 am
Sun 14 May
Evening: Karyakar Din | Mare Banvu Chhe Upasak Karyakar
Through skits, panel discussions and motivational speeches along with an interactive session with Mahant Swami Maharaj, we learn from his vision of the ideal volunteer in the service of others.
Time: 5.30 pm to 8.00 pm
Mon 15 May
Morning: Mahila Bhakti Din | Ekadashi Annakut Utsav
A devotional offering of annakut by mahilas of all ages to Shri Akshar-Purushottam Maharaj on the auspicious day of Ekadashi.
Time: 10.00 am to 12.00 pm
Tue 16 May
Puja Darshan
Time: 6.00 am to 7.30 am
Tue 16 May
Evening: Yogi Jayanti | Amara Jogi: Beyond the Smile
Celebrating the birth anniversary of His Holiness Yogiji Maharaj, visionary of Neasden Temple and guru of His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, through a theatrical production incorporating unique eyewitness accounts.
Time: 5.30 pm to 8.00 pm
Thu 18 May
Puja Darshan
Priority seating for registered participants.
Time: 6.00 am to 7.30 am
Thu 18 May
Morning: Vadil Din | Jivandori Amāri: A Lifeline of Love
All over-65s are invited to join in a special ‘Jivit Kriya’ mahapuja in the presence of Shri Akshar-Purushottam Maharaj
Time: 9.30 am to 12.30 pm
Fri 19 May
Puja Darshan
Time: 6.00 am to 7.30 am
Fri 19 May
Evening: Celebrating British Hindu Contributions
An inspiring evening in the presence of His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj bringing together diverse Hindu communities from around the UK to celebrate the wide array of contributions of British Hindus to the country.
Priority seating for registered guests.
Time: 5.30 pm to 8.00 pm
Sat 20 May
Puja Darshan
Priority seating for registered participants.
Time: 6.00 am to 7.30 am
Sat 20 May
Evening: Yuvak-Yuvati Din | Brahmanand
A special evening for yuvaks and yuvatis where we embark upon a quest to understand and experience Brahmanand – the divine bliss of Brahma – from Brahma himself!
Priority seating for registered participants.
Time: 5.30 pm to 8.00 pm
Sun 21 May
Puja Darshan
Priority seating for registered participants.
Time: 6.00 am to 7.30 am
Sun 21 May
Evening: Sanyukta Din | Kevā Motā Bhāgya
Follow the eye-opening journey of a devotee as he navigates through life’s trials and tribulations, eventually realising the prāpti we have attained.
Priority seating for registered participants.
Time: 5.30 pm to 8.00 pm
Tue 23 May
Puja Darshan & Diksha Mahotsav
On the auspicious occasion of Pramukh Varni Din, three youths from the UK will be ordained by His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj.
Time: 6.00 am to 7.30 am
Tue 23 May
Morning: Mahila Bhakti Din | Kirtan Bhakti & Annakut
Mahilas of all ages are invited to join in an uplifting morning of vibrant bhajans and thal as a devotional offering to Shri Akshar-Purushottam Maharaj.
Time: 10.00 am to 12.00 pm
Wed 24 May
Puja Darshan
Time: 6.00 am to 7.30 am
Wed 24 May
Evening: Celebrating Community: Faith, Service & Global Harmony
For registered guests only.
Time: 5.30 pm to 8.00 pm
Thu 25 May
Puja Darshan
Time: 6.00 am to 7.30 am
Sat 27 May
Puja Darshan
Priority seating for registered participants.
Time: 6.00 am to 7.30 am
Sat 27 May
Evening: Kishore-Kishori Din | Remember The Feeling
A memorable programme for youths aged 13 to 21 to help them address various contemporary issues with practical solutions from Mahant Swami Maharaj.
Priority seating for registered participants.
Time: 5.30 pm to 8.00 pm
Sun 28 May
Puja Darshan
Priority seating for registered participants.
Time: 6.00am to 7.30am
Sun 28 May
Morning: Samuh Vivah & Janoi Ceremony
Time: 10.00 am to 11.00 am
Sun 28 May
Evening: Shishu Din | Swami Bapa, My Best Friend
Learn what makes a best friend. Join the quest for this special someone through games, skits and laughter.
Whilst catered for our youngest audience members (children aged 0 to 5), the family are encouraged to join in on the fun.
Priority seating for registered participants.
Time: 5.30 pm to 8.00 am
Mon 29 May
Puja Darshan (TBC)
Time: 6.00 am to 7.30 am
Mon 29 May
Evening: International Student Din | The Power of S
Join us on to celebrate this special day focusing on life journey of an international student covering different aspect like study, sang, samp and satsang through live performance, dance and motivating sessions from Swamishri.
Priority seating for registered participants.
Time: 5.30 pm to 8.00 pm
Fri 2 Jun
Morning: Bhakti Din
Time: 9.00 am to 1.00 pm
Sat 3 Jun
Puja Darshan
Priority seating for registered participants.
Time: 6.00 am to 7.30 am
Sat 3 Jun
Morning: Bal-Balika Din
Educational programmes, classrooms and fun activities throughout the day for registered children only.
Time: 9.00 am to 4.00 pm
Evening: Bal-Balika Din | Swami’s Chocolate Wonderland
A mesmerising theatrical production filled with singing, dancing and lifelong memories – and most importantly, unique interactions with His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj!
Priority seating for registered participants.
Time: 5.30 pm to 8.00 pm
Sun 4 Jun
Puja Darshan
Priority seating for registered participants.
Time: 6.00am to 7.30am
Sun 4 Jun
Evening: Europe Din | Europe Rangvu Chhe
Learn more about Satsang in Europe and the upcoming Hindu mandir in Paris, France, through this special evening programme delivered by devotees from all across Europe.
Priority seating for registered participants.
Time: 5.30 pm to 8.00 pm
Tue 6 Jun
Puja Darshan
Time: 6.00 am to 7.30 am
Wed 7 Jun
Puja Darshan
Time: 6.00 am to 7.30 am
Evening: Akshardham Din
Time: 5.30 pm to 8.00 pm
Yogvivekdas Swami, Head Swami for BAPS UK & Europe, said: “His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj’s visit will lift the community who have waited six long years since his last visit in 2017. His spiritual wisdom and presence here in the UK will strengthen faith and bring renewed hope, energy and peace across communities in the UK who, in recent times, have experienced uncertainty and adversity through the Covid-19 pandemic, cost-of-living difficulties, and various other challenges. People of all ages are looking forward to engaging in the various programmes and activities that have been organised in his presence.”
Mahant Swami Maharaj
His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj is a prominent Hindu spiritual leader who inspires millions across the world through his virtues of devotion, humility and service.
He was born in Jabalpur, India, and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in agriculture. In 1961, he was ordained as Keshavjivandas Swami and appointed as the ‘mahant’ (head) of the BAPS temple in Mumbai, and thus affectionately became known as ‘Mahant Swami’.
In 1970, he accompanied His Holiness Yogiji Maharaj to the UK, and has continued to visit the UK and Europe on numerous occasions, imparting his spiritual wisdom.
Before his passing in 2016, His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj – the creator of Neasden Temple – had chosen Mahant Swami Maharaj to succeed him as the guru and head of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), an international community-based Hindu fellowship affiliated to the United Nations. In 2017, Mahant Swami Maharaj visited the UK for the first time as the religious leader of BAPS.
He carries forth Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s legacy by serving for the greater good of humanity, such as mobilising volunteers to care for and connect with communities across the world during the Covid-19 pandemic and supporting the humanitarian relief work near the Polish border during the outbreak of the war in Ukraine.
Mahant Swami Maharaj provides guidance, enrichment and upliftment, deeply touching hearts and uniting families and communities, helping every citizen to become a better member of their family, community and country.
BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha
BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) is an international community-based Hindu fellowship affiliated to the United Nations, caring for individuals, families and societies through its more than one million members, 80,000 volunteers and 5,025 centres.
Under the spiritual leadership of His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, BAPS strives to build a righteous, peaceful and harmonious community that is spiritually elevated, inclusive, and free of addictions and violence.
All of the work of BAPS worldwide is grounded in the Vedic teachings of Bhagwan Swaminarayan (1781-1830) and inspired by His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj (1921-2016), who embodied and taught the universal wisdom: “In the joy of others lies our own.”
In the UK, BAPS is respected as one of the largest and most active Hindu communities in the country. It is particularly known for its multifarious community outreach activities and the internationally acclaimed BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Neasden, London – popularly known as ‘Neasden Temple’.
