The foundation stone laying ceremony of the AUM Crematorium, UK and Europe's first ever Antyeshti Sanskar Bhavan or crematorium built according to the Sanatan dharma was held on 31 August in Denham.
This puja was performed at the Anoopam Mission, Denham, in presence of Pujya Sahebji and Pujya Shantidada. Over 800 guests, including 108 hosts and many dignitaries from across the UK participated in this historical ceremony.
Some key guests viz. Venkaiah Naidu (former Vice President of India), Paul Scully (Minister of State for Local Government), Sanjay Kumar (Second Secretary of the Indian High Commission), Gopichand Hinduja, Lord Dolar Popat, Barry Gardiner MP, Virendra Sharma MP, Seema Malhotra MP, Rajesh Agarwal (Deputy Mayor of London for Business), Dr Onkar Sahota AM (Member of London Assembly), CB Patel (Editor-in-Chief, Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar), Vijaybhai Patel, Pradeepbhai Dhamecha, local councillors and representatives of Hindu, Sikh and Jain communities attended the event.
Pujya Manojdasji of Anoopam Mission completed the foundation stone laying ceremony by explaining the meaning of each ritual, in Gujarati, Sanskrit, Hindi and English. He explained the purpose of this puja was to seek forgiveness from God, for any living object damaged or killed in the process of building this crematorium.
Venkaiah Naidu, the former Vice President of India, praised Pujya Sahebji for the services rendered by Anoopam Mission and for strengthening Indian cultural ties and identity. Sikh representatives Surendersingh Jagdevji and Reshamsingh Sandhuji recited Ardas and offered prayers.
Local MP Paul Scully appreciated the efforts made by Anoopam Mission to fulfil the dream of AUM Antyeshti Sanskar Bhavan.
Pujya Saheb ji talked about the Antyeshti Sanskar Bhavan's Sankalp, its history and thanked all those who joined on the day or helped otherwise.
