The Gujarat Hindu Society in Preston hosted a week-long Bhagwat Katha by Pujya Bhaishri Rameshbhai Oza in the temple hall, which concluded gracefully on 29th August.
In this small Lancashire town, home to about 600 Gujarati Hindu families, devotees displayed remarkable devotion, generosity, and love for their culture. The event also supported Pujya Bhaishri’s mission to build a girls’ hostel in the Saputara region of South Gujarat’s Dang district, providing education and accommodation for tribal daughters.
The katha, held in a hall with space for 1,000 devotees, was dedicated to this noble cause, with devotees contributing generously throughout the week. President Dashrath Nayee and Vice President Ishwer Tailor confirmed that, after expenses, over £200,000 was raised for Pujya Bhaishri’s Saputara project. Marking the Gujarat Hindu Society’s Golden Jubilee, a special souvenir also reflected on its long-standing association with Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar since the temple’s construction in 1975.
In 1975, when the first idols of Shri Radha-Krishna were consecrated, Kusum Shah and her associates attended the ceremony, and a small souvenir was published by Gujarat Samachar. After CB Patel, Publisher/Editor of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar, acquired the paper, he visited the Preston temple in 1976, giving it special coverage with the words, “Come and visit Vrindavandham near Blackpool.” The article made the temple widely popular, and by 1977–78, 15–20 coaches of devotees visited weekly. Having left his hometown Bhadran in India, CB Patel went on to embrace Preston as his second home in Britain.
In 1978, CB Patel attended the consecration of the idols of Maa Jagdamba and the Shiv Parivar, and he was also present in 1980–81 when Prince Charles visited the temple. He attended the 15th anniversary (Patotsav) in 1985 as well. With regular coverage in Gujarat Samachar, the temple’s popularity grew rapidly, soon attracting up to 20 coaches of devotees daily, all warmly offered prasad. Between 1990 and 1992, the Gujarat Training Resource Centre opened, helping many young people find employment. In 1995, plans for a new centre began, and in 1996, the Millennium Commission was established. Ishwer Tailor, working with the Regeneration Company, submitted a project proposal, with a consultant preparing a business plan, while Gujarat Samachar played a key role throughout.
In 1997, the project was approved, and the Bhoomi Pujan was performed with blessings from Manubhai Madhvani, Shri Krishnashankar Shastriji (Pujya Dadaji), Swami Sachchidanand, and Swami Vishnupuri. The construction contract was awarded to John Turners in 1998, with work beginning in April that year. By 1999, the project was completed, and the Vastu Pujan was held on 4th December, attended by Dashrathbhai Nayi. The new Gujarat Hindu Society centre in Preston was formally inaugurated on 1st January 2000, with CB Patel present on this historic occasion.
