London, March 24: Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Kingsbury welcomed the British Army’s Chaplain General, Reverend Dr David Coulter and Hindu faith leaders to fortify ties between the communities.
Building and maintaining links between different faiths groups in our culturally rich city has long been an important aim of the Shree Swaminaryan Mandir, Kingsbury community. And it was with that aim that the Kingsbury Mandir community were honoured to welcome the Chaplain General in his first visit to the new, award winning, Mandir in Brent. Dr Coulter was welcomed to the Mandir by several of its long-standing friends, included local MP Barry Gardiner and the Mayor of Harrow, Ajay Maru, along with the Mandir’s Trustees. The visit was supported by the Hindu Council UK, who’s Managing Director, Anil Bhanot, was also present.
Shree Swaminarayan Mandir, Kingsbury, the world’s first eco-mandir, opened its doors in August 2014 during a Grand Festival celebrated in Brent and the city of London. Combining ancient Hindu architecture with modern technologies, the Mandir has welcomed over 20,000 visitors to date from all over the world.
The visit highlighted the important work of the Royal Army Chaplains’ Department, which provides spiritual support, pastoral care, and moral guidance to all, irrespective of religion or belief. Mandir Trustee, Dr Mahesh Varsani, commented,
“Our organisation, inspired by our spiritual leader Acharya Swamishree Maharaj, has a strong history of supporting the Indian military and we are extremely proud to carry through that mandate to the UK. Visits such as these are vital to reinforce and celebrate the common objectives between Hindu faith organisations and the Royal Army Chaplains’ Department, which both seek to safeguard the spiritual well-being of its communities.”
Guests lit a flame of peace, as a prayer for greater harmony and prosperity throughout the country, the entire world, and within our own hearts and minds. During the tour of the Mandir Complex the Chaplain General met young members of the world-renowned Shree Muktajeevan Pipe Band, which sparked his particular interest, having been ordained by the Scottish Church. Dr Coulter commented,
“I did not expect to see such a magnificent building, and I certainly did not expect a Scottish Pipe Band! I am simply blown away with what you have achieved here and the warm welcome I’ve received.”
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The Mandir (temple) in Kingsbury is the principal Mandir in the south of England of Maninagar Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan – the worldwide centre for spiritual, cultural and social welfare, based in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.
While primarily a place of worship, the Mandir and surrounding facilities that make up Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa Complex play host to a range of cultural, artistic, sporting, educational and charitable activities, all inspired by His Divine Holiness Acharya Swamishree Purushottampriyadasji Maharaj, the current sovereign of Shree Swaminarayan Gadi.
Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Kingsbury operates under the auspices of a registered UK charity, Shree Swaminarayan Sidhant Sajivan Mandal London, number 252726.
www.swaminarayangadi.com/london
For more information please contact
Sameer Savani
Tel: 07595 863 742
Email: London@SwaminarayanGadi.com