BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Leeds, brought together hundreds of members of the community for an inspiring celebration on Sunday 13 November 2022 to commemorate the birth centenary of His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj.
Pramukh Swami Maharaj was one of the world’s great spiritual leaders, serving as a global ambassador of peace, harmony and selfless service, working tirelessly for the greater good of humanity. His life embodied his timeless, universal teaching: “In the joy of others lies our own.”
Throughout 2022, hundreds of thousands around the world have been honouring and celebrating his inspiring life of selfless service, devotion and spirituality through a series of uplifting programmes for the whole family.
The event in Leeds included insightful talks, video shows, a panel discussion, traditional Indian folk dancing and devotional singing. Swamis from India and the UK, performers of various ages from across the country as well as members of the local community all came together to deliver this inspiring two-hour programme.
Various charity partners, faith representatives and civic leaders also shared their personal experiences on how the work of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha inspired by Pramukh Swami Maharaj has supported individuals, families and the wider community in their local region.
Distinguished guests who joined the local congregation for this devotional celebratory event included David Goodman, Faith Executive of the Bramha Kumaris, Gurmukh Singh Deagon, Sikh Sangat Community Leeds, Dr Geetha Upadhyaya OBE, Founder of Kala Sangam, Dr Shripati Upadhyaya, Chartered Clinical Psychologist (Retired) and Founder of Kala Sangam, and Devendra Sadhanani of Akash Radio Leeds.
Tanisha Gandhi, one of the volunteers who helped organise the event, added, “Pramukh Swami Maharaj has done so much for me and my family personally, so it was a real honour to pay tribute to him and share his values and far-reaching work with the local community here in Leeds. Yorkshire I truly believe: imbibing even one lesson from the life of Pramukh Swami Maharaj can make our world a better place for us and our children.”