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Kirtan Aradhana | London Mandir 25th Anniversary, UK & Europe

23 Aug 2020

Sunday 23 August marked the final day of celebrations of London Mandir's 25th anniversary

Mahant Swami Maharaj began his puja in Nenpur, India, around 6am IST

Swamis in London, UK, via video conferencing facilities, performed a kirtan aradhana during Swamishri's puja, starting at 1.30am BST

The live performance journeyed through the inspiring history of London Mandir

The musical tribute began with Sanskrit verses lauding the Mandir and Yogiji Maharaj, who had prophesied a traditional mandir in London in 1970

The kirtans were performed to the accompaniment of musical instruments played by the swamis

Swamishri listened and watched the kirtan aradhana being relayed live from London during his puja

Some of the compositions sung by the swamis were written and composed specially for the occasion

The kirtan narrative was interspersed with audio recordings of Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the mandir's creator and inspirer

The medley also included chopais composed about London Mandir in the Shri Swaminarayan Charit Manas

Swamishri enjoyed darshan of the murtis of London Mandir during his puja

The musical tribute also captured the profound spiritual impact of the mandir on people's lives and its international acclaim

Swamishri's puja asan was beautifully decorated in the theme of London Mandir's 25th anniversary

The aradhana concluded with the mandir’s 25th anniversary celebratory kirtan, ‘London Mandir Rajat Mahotsav’, sung to the waving of flags

Swamishri observed the kirtan aradhana from Nenpur

Yogvivekdas Swami led the concluding prayers as Swamishri's puja drew to an end

Swamishri greeted the swamis in London with folded hands

Swamishri was pleased to hear about the recent events and activities celebrating the 25th anniversary of London Mandir

Yogvivekdas Swami honoured Swamishri with a long garland comprising prayers of devotees from UK & Europe who had started doing ghar sabha regularly

Swamishri humbly accepted the garland in Nenpur

Swamis offered Swamishri a decorative shawl made by the elderly devotees of UK & Europe

Mangaltirthdas Swami and Vishwaprakashdas Swami, among the many swamis who have been serving at London Mandir for 25 years, offered Swamishri a giant bouquet of flowers

Munirajdas Swami offered Swamishri a plate of mesub (a sweet Indian delicacy)

Swamishri lovingly accepted the mesub in Nenpur

Satyavratdas Swami offered Swamishri a bowl of gulab jambu (a sweet Indian delicacy)

Swamishri watched on in Nenpur

Swamishri lovingly accepted the gulab jambu in Nenpur

Swamis in London interacted with Swamishri via the video conference facility

Swamishri responded warmly to the swamis in London

Swamishri interacted with the swamis in London

Atmaswarupdas Swami offered Swamishri an album of prayers prepared by the devotees of UK & Europe

Swamishri patiently looked through the album of prayers

Atmaswarupdas Swami offered Swamishri a kalash of prayers prepared by the devotees of UK & Europe

Swamishri picked out a slip of paper from the kalash...

... before reading aloud the devotee's heartfelt prayer

'O Maharaj! O Swami! O Mahant Swami!...' Swamishri read out the prayer patiently

Swamishri embraced the swamis in London from Nenpur

Swamishri humbly bowed to the swamis in London

Swamishri bid the swamis in London 'Jay Swaminarayan' at around 3am BST