More than 440 guests enjoyed an enlightening evening at the Mercure Hotel in Northampton on Sunday 27 October 2024. Titled ‘From Ayodhya to Abu Dhabi: A Journey of Global Harmony’, the seminar was part of the ongoing ‘
Timeless Hindu Wisdom’ series that began online during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Guests were warmly greeted in a traditional Hindu manner by children before being ushered to beautiful depictions of both the Shri Ram Janmabhumi Mandir in Ayodhya, India, and the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
After light refreshments and networking opportunities, guests settled into the banquet hall for the proceedings, which began with the auspicious lighting of the sacred lamp, symbolising the invocation of wisdom and enlightenment.
In his keynote address, Paramtattvadas Swami, a learned BAPS swami, first narrated the historical significance of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir and its connection with the Swaminarayan Sampradaya as well as the decades of support it has received from the BAPS gurus Yogiji Maharaj, Pramukh Swami Maharaj, and Mahant Swami Maharaj.
Paramtattvadas Swami then went on to reveal the fascinating history behind the BAPS Abu Dhabi Mandir and the role of Pramukh Swami Maharaj and Mahant Swami Maharaj in envisioning and creating the first traditional Hindu temple in the Middle East.
Attendees were in awe of how such a seemingly impossible feat was made possible through the grace of Bhagwan and the monumental efforts of His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, the swamis and volunteers to bring His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s vision to reality.
Through various anecdotes, Paramtattvadas Swami demonstrated how Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s and Mahant Swami Maharaj’s integrity, humility, and genuine commitment to harmony helped transcend differences and difficulties while bringing together people of diverse faiths, nationalities, and backgrounds to create something truly remarkable and inspiring.
Akshay Pandya, one of the co-sponsors of the seminar, later shared, “What an inspirational story! This has renewed my hope in humanity – that we can indeed celebrate unity in diversity, and, despite all of our differences, we can coexist in love, peace and harmony, just as His Holiness [Mahant Swami Maharaj] proclaimed.”
Krupa Patel, a leading member of the Hindu community in Northampton, added, “I had no idea how much of a role BAPS had played in the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya! It was really eye-opening and inspiring. Thank you for arranging this seminar. I look forward to many more in the future.”
Attendees enjoyed an authentic Indian vegetarian meal before departing.