BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, London held a series of Vishwa Shanti Mahayagnas commemorating the centennial birth anniversary of His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj. A special smoke-free flame was used to allow these traditional Vedic ceremonies to be conducted indoors.
In the final yagna on Sunday 3 July, Lord Jitesh Gadhia accompanied by his son Dev, CB Patel Editor in Chief of Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice, Vinubhai Bhattessa OBE BAPS Trustee, Members of Parliament Dawn Butler, Barry Gardener and Virendra Sharma, Cllr Muhammed Butt Leader of Brent Council, Krupesh Hirani London Assembly Member and Nigel Lane architect of Neasden Temple participated.
The yagnas were conducted by expert pandits, supported by children and youths who provided skilled guidance on the rituals and explained their deeper spiritual significance. The events provided the entire family with an opportunity to worship and learn the values together. Young children were given a specially designed activity booklet of puzzles, games and bite-sized information that explained the importance and significance of yagnas.
During these yagnas, thousands of participants collectively prayed for peace, protection and global harmony, growing also in their family unity – all values that Pramukh Swami Maharaj embodied and fostered throughout his life.
Besides London, the mahayagnas were also conducted at mandirs in Birmingham, Leicester and Manchester. In all, 27 yagnas were conducted over five weekends, with more than 8,000 yajmans participating in total. They commenced on Thursday 2 June, coinciding with the lighting of Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Beacon.
