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Devotional Procession Commemorates Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s Centennial Birth Anniversary, London, UK

17 Jul 2022

Thousands of devotees began arriving from the early hours of the morning by various forms of transport

The nagar yatra was commencing from Alperton Community School in Alperton, Brent

The nagar yatra commenced with prayers to Bhagwan Swaminarayan and the Gurus

The opening ceremony of the nagar yatra included pujan of the sacred image of Bhagwan Swaminarayan

Mahant Swami Maharaj had blessed a special mashal (fire torch) in Surat, India, on 17 May 2022

This mashal was sent to London for the nagar yatra

The sanctified mashal was re-lit at the beginning of the nagar yatra and carried throughout the journey

The leader of the local police force also joined in the traditional opening ceremony

The nagar yatra commenced around 10.30am amid glorious summer sunshine

Female devotees carrying decorative kalash pots led the way for the nagar yatra

Participants in the nagar yatra sang and danced joyously throughout the journey

The nagar yatra passed the traditional ‘Shri Vallabh Nidhi Temple’ on Ealing Road

The approximately 3-mile procession continued along the heart of the London Borough of Brent

Passers-by in vehicles also joined in the celebrations

Volunteers were on-hand to pick up any litter along the nagar yatra route

Pedestrians and passers-by enthusiastically joined in the festive spirit and were eager to learn more about the upcoming ‘Festival of Inspiration’ at Neasden Temple

Some local residents came out onto the street to warmly welcome the procession

The local police officers on duty to guide the procession also joined in with the festivities

As the nagar yatra continued along Harrow Road and crossed the busy North Circular Road, the iconic arch of Wembley Stadium could be seen in the background

The procession then turned into Conduit Way and eventually reached Pramukh Swami Road...

... where hundreds more volunteers and devotees were waiting to greet the procession

The thousands of participants then congregated in the Mandir’s courtyard, with some finding spaces in the Haveli balcony

Devotees cheered on, hailing the celebrations of Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s centennial anniversary

Yogvivekdas Swami thanked the local council, police officers and volunteers for their generous support throughout the nagar yatra

The nagar yatra concluded with a maha-arti in front of the iconic 27-foot maha-murti of Pramukh Swami Maharaj

The maha-arti used the flame from the mashal sanctified by Mahant Swami Maharaj in India and carried throughout the nagar yatra

The final prayers and tribute provided a fitting conclusion to the nagar yatra

The nagar yatra had been held in commemoration of Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s centennial anniversary celebrations ahead of the 10-day <a href="https://www.neasdentemple.org/" target="blank" style="text-decoration:underline; color:blue;">‘Festival of Inspiration’</a>

The nagar yatra had been held in commemoration of Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s centennial anniversary celebrations ahead of the 10-day ‘Festival of Inspiration’

Even after the nagar yatra concluded, one of the floats with a digital screen continued raising awareness about the <a href="https://www.neasdentemple.org/" target="blank" style="text-decoration:underline; color:blue;">‘Festival of Inspiration’</a> throughout the city of London

Even after the nagar yatra concluded, one of the floats with a digital screen continued raising awareness about the ‘Festival of Inspiration’ throughout the city of London