The auspicious day of Prabodhini Ekadashi, Kartik sud 11, was celebrated in traditional style at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Neasden, London on Sunday 6 November 2011.
The first day of the Dev Diwali period, Prabodhini Ekadashi is the day on which Bhagwan Swaminarayan was initiated (1800 CE) and also the anniversary on which He was handed the reins of the Sampradaya by Ramanand Swami (1801 CE). It is also the day on which Pramukh Swami Maharaj was initiated as a parshad by his guru Brahmaswarup Shastriji Maharaj (1939 CE).
In remembrance of these events, a special sabha was held in the evening where Bhaktivardhan Swami sang devotional bhajans and Yogvivek Swami spoke of the historical and spiritual significance of the occasion. A video presentation of Prabodhini Ekadashi celebrated in the presence of Pramukh Swami Maharaj in London revived cherished memories from 2006, as images of the celebrations in Mumbai from earlier that day were also shown.
Over a hundred varieties of vegetables were decoratively offered to the murtis in all of the shrines of the mandir. After the ceremonial arti at 7pm, the gathered devotees had the opportunity to take home the vegetables as prasad.