The Rath Yatra Utsav (Festival of Chariots) was celebrated in the presence of Sadguru Pujya Kothari Swami (Bhaktipriya Swami) on Saturday 23 June 2012 at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, London.
A beautifully decorated rath (chariot) with the murti of Bhagwan Swaminarayan had been prepared. Following the Vedic pujan ceremony, the rath was ceremoniously pulled by hand around the Mandir complex to the singing of bhajans by sadhus and devotees.
After circling the Mandir five times, the devotees ended the festival with a devotional dance.
In the evening assembly, Kothari Swami and other visiting sadhus from India were formally welcomed to the UK and Europe on their two-week religious tour. In the concluding address, Kothari Swami elaborated upon the spiritual significance of the Rath Yatra festival.