The Gujarat Hindu Society in Preston marked Diwali, the Festival of Lights, with heartfelt devotion and vibrant celebrations spread over several days.
On Monday, 20th October, the mandir remained open all day, inviting devotees to offer prayers and seek darshan. The occasion also provided a joyful opportunity for the community to come together, exchange greetings, and share in the festive spirit.
On Tuesday, 21st October, a spectacular fireworks display lit up the night sky in the centre’s car park, attracting over 500 attendees. The dazzling half-hour show created a vibrant atmosphere of joy, unity, and celebration.
The festivities continued on Wednesday, 22nd October, Hindu New Year’s Day, as devotees gathered at the mandir from early morning for darshan and the first arti at 9:00 AM, attended by around 150 people. President Dashrathbhai extended warm New Year greetings to everyone, followed by blessings from the pujari, who offered prayers for peace, happiness, and prosperity in the coming year.
The Annkut celebration was beautifully organised between 10:30 and 11:30 AM, showcasing an impressive array of 108 food items offered to the deities. At 12 noon, the curtain was drawn open for darshan, marking a moment of devotion and reverence.
Among the special guests were Adrian Phillips, Chief Executive of Preston City Council, and John Coxhead, Headteacher of St. Stephen’s School. The event received live coverage from Radio Lancashire and the ‘Lancashire Evening Post’, allowing the joy of the celebration to reach the wider community.
The main arti was performed at 12:30 PM, followed by hourly artis throughout the day, concluding with the final one at 6:00 PM. Later, the Annkut Prasad was displayed in the main hall, where devotees gathered to admire and partake in the wide variety of offerings.
Over 1,000 devotees visited the mandir during the celebrations. The society expressed heartfelt gratitude to all devotees and volunteers for their generous support towards the Annkut Prasad and fireworks display. With the Hindu New Year underway, the community now looks forward to the upcoming festivities, Jalaram Jayanti on Saturday, 1st November, and Tulsi Vivah on Sunday, 2nd November.
Jalaram Jayanti and Tulsi Vivah celebrations at GHS Preston
On Saturday 1 November, GHS Preston celebrated Jalaram Bapa Jayanti. From 10:00 AM onwards, devotees began arriving to pay their respects. The celebration commenced with Ganesh Puja performed by the yajman, followed by bhajans from 11:00 AM to 3:30 PM.
Over 200 devotees gathered to sing praises of Jalaram Bapa and to enjoy the delicious prasad prepared by the ladies’ team. Jalaram Bapa, revered worldwide, continues to reside in the hearts of his devotees. His birthplace, Virpur, remains famous for Bapa’s divine prasad.
The following day, on Sunday, 2 November, the community came together once again to celebrate Tulsi Vivah, marking the end of the Hindu year and the beginning of the auspicious wedding season. This year’s yajmans were Pratimbhai and Manishaben Soni and Bipinbhai and Chhayaben Chavda.
To mark the joyous occasion, a Sanji Night was held on Friday, where over 200 people participated in singing and dancing. The Tulsi Vivah ceremony itself drew more than 400 devotees to the main hall, where the pujari conducted the sacred wedding ritual of Tulsi Mayya and Shaligram Bhagwan.
The atmosphere was filled with spiritual energy and devotion. All attendees enjoyed a delicious meal sponsored by President, Dashrathbhai, who expressed heartfelt appreciation to the yajmans for their dedication and effort in making the Tulsi Vivah such a grand success. He also congratulated the ladies’ group for their excellent cooking and the volunteers for their tireless service.
