Home > News > UK & Europe > London > Hindu New Year Celebrations 2019 > Visitors

Hindu New Year Celebrations 2019, London, UK

28 Oct 2019

Visitors began arriving at the Mandir from the early hours of the morning

This year's annakut was the 25th since the Mandir opened in 1995

Visitors made their way to darshan in the Mandir

Visitors engrossed in darshan

A steady stream of devotees enjoyed darshan throughout the day

The arti was performed every half-hour

Visitors of all ages and backgrounds participated in the arti every half-hour

A young child participates in the arti

Members of the Metropolitan Police Service took time to observe and understand the annakut offering

An elderly visitor enjoys the darshan of the annakut

A mother and child engrossed in the darshan of the annakut

A mother and her daughters enjoy the darshan of the annakut

Visitors engrossed in the darshan of the annakut

A mother and her sons enjoy the darshan of the annakut

Visitors enjoyed the devotional artwork reflecting the bicentennial anniversary of the Vachanamrut

Visitors enjoyed the thematic devotional artwork

HE The High Commissioner of India to the UK, Ms Ruchi Ghanashyam, also joined celebrants at the Mandir

The High Commissioner performed the arti of the annakut

In her address to the gathering, Ms Ghanashyam applauded the expertise and spirit of selfless service of the volunteers

Katharina Smith-Müller, Interreligious Adviser to the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, personally presented the Diwali message from the Vatican to representatives of the Mandir

After darshan, visitors made their way across to the 'Diwali Village'

The 'Diwali Village' was set up in the grounds of The Swaminarayan School, opposite the Mandir

Many guests captured memories of their visit

Many visitors resolved to imbibe various virtues for the new year

Diwali and the Hindu New Year is also a time for charity and compassion

The Mandir used the Diwali opportunity to raise awareness about prostrate cancer with its partnership with Orchid, the UK's leading charity working for those affected by male cancer

Visitors had the opportunity to learn more about the various activities on offer at the Mandir

A young visitor is enraptured by a children's publication at the info stall

The 'Diwali Village' provided hot food and souvenirs for visitors

The group of friends enjoy traditional Indian street food in the 'Diwali Village'

Visitors could also take home special gifts commemorating the Mandir's 25th anniversary

Thousands of visitors enjoyed the New Year celebrations

Families captured memories of their visit with a free photo memento

Another moment captured for a young visitor

Visitors received a new year's calendar, prasad and complimentary info pack before departing

Visitors departed from the Mandir late into the night