Prayers for World Peace and Harmony at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Wellingborough, UK

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Wellingborough welcomed worshippers from around the country to join in prayers for world peace and harmony on Sunday 5 April 2015.

Housed within the Mandir is the Akshar Deri, a holy shrine where devotees offer prayers and prostrations and perform circumambulations for spiritual elevation. With the blessings of Pramukh Swami Maharaj, a tradition of continuous chanting for world peace and harmony has been observed since 1984, bringing Hindus from across the country together for this annual occasion.

Traditionally, the auspicious prayers are held on the first day of the New Year. In 2015, however, Easter weekend was chosen to encourage visitors of all ages and those travelling from further parts of the country to participate. The change proved to be a success, with many attendees taking advantage of the long weekend to make the journey to Wellingborough.

Latika Chauhan travelled from Brighton with her family to participate in the prayers. Reflecting on her experience, she said, “It was a beautiful, unforgettable experience. This is the first time that I have visited with my family and I can truly say that it was well worth the three-hour journey.”

She also shared how meaningful it was to see family and friends while experiencing the atmosphere of peace and harmony within the Mandir. She explained that the family prayed for those less fortunate and for the health and prosperity of all.

The prayers continued uninterrupted for 12 hours, from 7am until 7pm. The day marked the culmination of numerous months of preparation by volunteers and the wider community.

Mahesh Patel, lead volunteer at the temple, described the annual gathering as an important opportunity for people to come together and pray for peace and well-being throughout the world. He also expressed special thanks to everyone in the community whose support helped make the event a success.