His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, previous head of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), touched the lives of millions of people around the world. He taught that mandirs should be a hub for not only worship, but nurturing values and serving the community. He was the inspiration behind the ornate BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir on Gipsy Lane in Leicester.
The Mandir celebrated its fifth anniversary on Saturday 8 October 2016 in the presence of Sadguru Pujya Ishwarcharan Swami from India and hundreds of devotees and well-wishers from around the country.
The theme of the celebrations focused on the Mandir as a ‘labour of love’ and the way it has enriched the lives of so many.
The day started off with a traditional Vedic ceremony with prayers for world peace and harmony. This was followed by an evening cultural programme that took a capacity gathering on an uplifting journey tracing the history of BAPS activities in Leicester. This covered the earliest gatherings in a devotee’s home in 1968, the numerous visits of Pramukh Swami Maharaj, earlier temples on Doncaster Road and in the City Centre, through to the present day.
The story of how the Mandir came to be was told through a series of insightful sketches, videos and interviews which resonated with the spirit of volunteerism behind the Mandir. Young children through to the elderly all played a part in the inspiring programme.
Lead coordinator of the Mandir, Darshan Patel, said, “A testament to the warmth with which the Mandir is regarded is the support of local businesses and schools for this event. With the large numbers expected, Lidl on Gipsy Lane together with Northfields Primary School and Soar Valley College offered overflow car parking. Arriva generously supplied a double decker bus to then shuttle visitors back to their cars to ensure a smooth and hassle-free experience for everyone. Schools also visit regularly from Leicestershire and beyond. So it’s heartening to see how quickly the Mandir has become a valuable part of the local community and we’re deeply grateful to everyone for their kind support and goodwill.”
