| |
      |
On
Saturday 8 July 2000, Shree Swaminarayan Mandir, Neasden, London was
the venue for a unique ceremony. Four thousand devotees and guests
proudly witnessed the presentation of certificates for TWO WORLD RECORDS
to His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj.
The Managing Editor of Guinness
World Records, Mr Tim Footman presented His Holiness Pramukh Swami
Maharaj with certificates marking his entries into the world famous
record book. The first certificate presented to His Holiness was for
building and inspiring the largest traditional Hindu Mandir outside
India. The second certificate marked a record 355 Temple Consecration
Ceremonies performed by His Holiness between April 1971 and May 2000.
In Tim Footman's address to the
audience he said: "Thank you very
much for such a warm welcome. I am quite humbled, and if I have stumbled
a bit, it is for loss of words. You are so kind. I have always said
that the Guinness World Records is something like life. It's a combination
of all things, it includes for duration. Records for standing on one
leg, for 76 hours and things like the biggest collection of earrings
or eating the most baked beans in half an hour, or we have got a record
for a chap who pogo-sticked up to CN Tower in Toronto, 2000 steps.
This is part of what makes the Guinness Book of World Records so successful,
and indeed so much upon to work on. I have got the best job of publishing,
but there are also some serious records and fundamental records. We
also like to acknowledge to show that your life is at full. We have
records about lives saved and lost, and we have records of people
like Bill Gate's Microsoft fortunes rise and fall, and then of course,
we have got records such as those held by His Holiness which we are
here to honour. I was very glad last year to be able to honour His
Holiness, for, well, what you see around you in material form and
also not only himself, but all the people contributed to it. The 1526
craftsmen in India who went towards it, is truly a mass record and
we are also very pleased to put the picture of this Temple and His
Holiness. And we are doubly glad this year to receive a record which
was just in time to include in the STOP Press. For the record, for
the person who has consecrated the most temples of any religious building
of any religion around the world, 355 -it is certainly an impressive
statistic, and it is one which we hope to include in the main body
of the book next year. I had little time to digest it and have full
details. What impressed me most about it is that it isn't simply an
Indian Record. His Holiness has traveled all around the World and
has disciples all around the world. I am prepared to put faith into
these temples and it is in the best of things, truly a world record
!"
In his blessings, Pramukh Swami
Maharaj praised the efforts of Mr Footman and his team for recognizing
the achievements of BAPS. He went on to congratulate all the other
record breakers. Swamishri highlighted the importance of temples in
our society today and credited his achievements to Lord Swaminarayan
and his guru Yogiji Maharaj.
His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj
presented mementos of the Mandir to Mr. Footman.
On seeing the Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Mr. Tim Footman opined, "A
magnificent architectural achievement, uniting Hindus and non-Hindus
alike in awe at what can be achieved through skill, commitment and
effort. The friendliness and hospitality of all connected with the
Mandir is a memory common to all visitors. It is a pleasure and an
honour to be your guest!"
|
|
)
)
)
)
)
)
