On 14 November 2024, I had the privilege of witnessing an extraordinary and unprecedented event. The Football Association (FA) celebrated Diwali at Wembley Stadium as part of its 'Faith and Football Series,' with joint support from BAPS Neasden Temple.
Today, BAPS is far more than just a spiritual or religious organisation, and not limited to Gujarat or India only. It has become an international and multiracial embodiment of Sanatan faith, a profound thought and concept. BAPS and its spiritual teachings have touched hearts across nearly every continent, inspiring people with its timeless values and wisdom.
I share a deep and personal connection with BAPS, as my grandfather was involved even before HH Shastriji Maharaj laid the foundation of this remarkable organisation. I am also blessed to be among the fortunate few who had the privilege of having physical darshan of Param Pujya Shastriji Maharaj, Param Pujya Yogiji Maharaj and Param Pujya Pramukh Swami Maharaj in Bochasan.
I vividly recall the profound moment on 26 September 2007, during the BAPS centenary celebrations at the Neasden Swaminarayan Temple in London. Addressing the gathering of devotees, I felt truly blissful when Pujya Pramukh Swami Maharaj spoke for nearly 20 minutes, recounting his special relationship with my grandfather Manibhai, my father Babubhai and my uncle Apakaka. He also graciously acknowledged, if I may humbly add, my own small contributions.
Remembering Shri Poonambhai Patel
Returning from Wembley Stadium after my prayers, I couldn't help but reminisce about a moment from March 1967, when Shri Poonambhai Patel invited me to a small prayer gathering. To elaborate, I had arrived in London for the first time just a few months earlier, on 19 November 1966.
At that time, I had to arrange tickets for my wife to join me from India. A one-way ticket from Mumbai to London cost around £100, a significant sum. Back then, there was no social media, no internet and no ethnic or Indian newspapers, everything relied on word of mouth.
Someone mentioned about Shri Poonambhai Patel in East London and shared his phone number with me. In those days, making a call on a landline while living in a small bedsit was a challenge. The telephone operated on 3 pence coins, which seem insignificant today. To continue a conversation, you had to keep inserting coins into the machine.
I spoke to Poonambhai and he greeted me with such warmth and kindness. He invited me to visit his place and shared his address. Those days, I lived in Archway, while he lived near Forest Gate.
Shri Poonambhai was a staunch devotee of the Swaminarayan Movement. When I visited him, he welcomed me with warm hospitality. He encouraged me to stay focused on my studies and suggested I use the British Library, humorously adding that it was warm inside, so I wouldn’t have to worry about heating cost in my bedsit. He then said, “Why don’t you, on a Saturday evening after your studies, visit our gathering at an address in Seymour Place? A few friends and I hold a small satsang there, just 7 or 8 people. You will meet our community and afterwards, we always have some warm Gujarati food.” I will be honest, while I enjoyed satsang, living far from my family in a foreign country made the prospect of warm Gujarati food made it all the more enticing. It was an offer I couldn’t resist!
Meeting Param Pujya Pramukh Swamiji Maharaj
I fondly remember visiting a small flat where a gentleman Mr P K Patel, with an equally big heart, served as the host. He organised the satsang and provided a delicious meal, creating an atmosphere filled with warmth and conversation. It truly felt like home away from home.
Over the years, that small group of 7–10 individuals, if I recall some names correctly, including Mr Meghani, Dr Shah, Mahindrabhai Patel (then a barrister-in-training) and a few others, embarked on an incredible journey. By 1970, their collective efforts culminated in the establishment of the first BAPS Hindu Temple in Islington, North London.
I recollect, I was present during a momentous occasion in 1974 when I had a face-to-face darshan with Param Pujya Pramukh Swamiji Maharaj. He was visiting London and a satsang was held at a family residence near Queensbury Circle in Brent, hosted by Mr Jayantibhai Patel of Vaso. Jayantibhai was a remarkable individual, a humble soul who at that time used to work in a factory yet pursued his passion for teaching Gujarati. Over time, he became a prominent Gujarati teacher at the Swaminarayan Mandir. I attended the satsang as part of the audience and through Jayantibhai’s introduction, I had the privilege of meeting Pramukh Swamiji.
Swamiji’s unique style of interaction left a lasting impression. In Gujarati, he warmly asked, “Shu naam che? (What is your name?), Kona dikra? (Who is your father?), Kaya gaam na cho? (Which village are you from?)”
When I mentioned that I am the son of Babubhai Patel from Bhadran village, Swamiji immediately called me closer and embraced me with immense affection. His gratitude and heartfelt remembrance of my father, Babubhai, were overwhelming, so profound that I still lack the words to fully express the moment's significance.
When Pramukh Swamiji Maharaj was around 12 years old, he attended a Sanskrit pathshala (school) in Bhadran. During that time, an unfortunate incident occurred where he and another young Sadhu, just 11 years old, were mistreated in a religious premises. Someone who disapproved of the spiritual movement became enraged, forcibly evicting both young Sadhus from the temple. Their belongings were thrown out and they were made to stand outside in humiliation.
When my father learned of this, he rushed to the scene, deeply upset and angered by what had happened. He took immediate action, restoring their dignity and confidence. Not only did he ensure they stayed at the temple, but he also confronted those responsible for the mistreatment, compelling them to apologise and allow the young Sadhus back inside.
Pujya Pramukh Swamiji Maharaj mentioned this incident during his address in 2007, recalling it with heartfelt gratitude. Over the years, whether in the UK, India or America, whenever I was fortunate enough to meet him, he never failed to recount his experience in Bhadran and my father’s unwavering support during that challenging time. There is a valuable lesson here: no matter how high you climb in life, always remember your roots, the challenges you faced and most importantly, the people who stood by you.
Inclusivity in faith
Returning to the topic at hand, BAPS has a thriving sports activity, which is quite commendable. Similarly, I have had the pleasure of visiting the Navnat Vanik Centre in Hayes on several occasions. They also offer a unique approach to spirituality. It’s the only place where one half of the temple is dedicated to a Hindu Mandir and the other half to the Jain "Tirthankar" tradition. Here, they greet visitors with both "Jay Shree Krishna" and "Jay Jinendra." This pleasant blend of traditions speaks volumes about the inclusivity of Indian faith.
Jainism, as ancient as Hinduism, co-exists harmoniously with it, with no distinction between Jains and Jainetar’s (non-Jains). There are numerous inspiring examples of this unity. This is what makes Sanatan Dharma (Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism and Buddhism) so remarkable. These religions, all originating or evolving in India, share a history of peaceful coexistence. The belief in one God with many names, along with a deep respect for all religions, non-violence, service to all living things, forms a core principle. One of the common factors across all Indic faiths is the recitation of the Shanti Path (Peace Prayer). The below universal prayer, calls for peace, harmony and goodwill for all beings.
In our tradition, we not only revere the divine but also nature, our rivers, mountains, stones and other natural resources. Today, when the world discusses sustainability, climate and nature, it aligns closely with the Sanatan principles that have been cherished for thousands of years.
Shanti Path Mantra
ॐ द्यौ: शान्तिरन्तरिक्षँ शान्ति:,
पृथ्वी शान्तिराप: शान्तिरोषधय: शान्ति:।
वनस्पतय: शान्तिर्विश्वे देवा: शान्तिर्ब्रह्म शान्ति:,
सर्वँ शान्ति:, शान्तिरेव शान्ति:, सा मा शान्तिरेधि॥
ॐ शान्ति: शान्ति: शान्ति:॥
May peace radiate there in the whole sky as well as in the vast ethereal space everywhere.
May peace reign all over this earth, in water and in all herbs, trees and creepers.
May peace flow over the whole universe.
May peace be in the Supreme Being Brahman.
And may there always exist in all peace and peace alone.
Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti
to us and all beings!
