Diamond Jubilee celebrations were held at the Westminster Abbey for the Queen at the Commonwealth Day Service on 12 March 2012.
The Queen’s illustrious speech about connecting cultures throughout the Commonwealth set this year’s celebrations for what was a very colourful service with some exotic songs and dance routines from across the world. The Dean of Westminster the Very Reverend Dr John Hall makes a special effort every year on the Commonwealth Day to invite other faiths to say their prayers in what is a Christian service at the Abbey, a House of God for Royal Coronations since 1066, and this year he recalled in particular Her Majesty’s Coronation here on 2nd June 1953.
In this Diamond Jubilee year, alongside the main Christian service at the Abbey, the Hindu, Baha’i, Buddhist and Muslim prayers were said also, with other major faiths’ prayers reserved for next year, and for the Hindu prayer Anil Bhanot recited the following Vedic chant:
An ancient Sanskrit Mantra, for the wellbeing of all humanity, as recently popularised by Tina Turner.
Om is revealed by our Rishis to be the first syllable uttered by the Creator at the inception of our universe and is thus recited at the beginning of each Mantra to connect us to our Creator.
| Om | O’ Lord |
| Sarvesham Svastir Bhavatu II | May Wellbeing be unto all |
| Sarvesham Shantir Bhavatu II | May Peace be unto all |
| Sarvesham Purnam Bhavatu II | May Fulfilment be unto all |
| Sarvesham Mangalam Bhavatu II | May Prosperity be unto all |
| Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah I | May all be Happy |
| Sarve Santu Niramayah I | May all be Saint-like Healthy |
| Sarve Bhadrani Pashantu I | May all experience Goodness of Life |
| Ma Kachid Dukh Bhag Bhavet I | May our minds be free from Sorrow |
| Om Shanti Shanti Shanti-hee | O’ Lord, May there be Peace in all the three realms of existence |
Anil Bhanot
Managing Director
Hindu Council UK