Conservative party leadership and Prime Ministerial candidate Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty celebrated the festival of Janmashtami at Bhaktivedanta Manor Hare Krishna Temple in Hertfordshire.
Though Mr Sunak has visited the temple with his family before many times, but this time he was welcomed in a customary tradition of blowing of a conch shell and garland before they toured the Temple which was donated by George Harrison of the Beatles. He was greeted by Her Grace Vishaka Dasi the temple president who said, “This is chance to for everyone to experience the hospitality of Bhaktivedanta Manor and our moto of Atithi Devo Bhava which means 'Guest is God'.
On August 19 and 21, the Bhaktivedanta Manor Hare Krishna Temple hosted the largest celebration of this kind outside India to mark the advent of Lord Krishna culminating with a concert with George Harrison tribute band. There will be plays and kirtan all throughout the two days.
Mr Sunak addressed some of the 1,200 volunteers who will be helping at the festival and said, “It’s been a tough campaign, but times of the most difficulty I have been given the teachings of the Gita and it has been the Gita that has given me strength to keep fighting for things I believe in.”
Kaushik Patel, one of the volunteers, commented, “I come to serve the thousands of pilgrims with my whole family including my 86-year-old mother.”
Mr Sunak’s visit culminated in feeding the cows or gopuja. The Manor has 62 Belgian Fresian cows at what has been described as the Hilton of dairy Farms, promoting the welfare of cows and bulls and compassionate farming techniques.
