Inside the Haveli of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, London, where Pramukh Swami Maharaj raised the flags to commence the Centennial Anniversary of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha merely five months previously, a grand mahapooja, organised by the UK Kishore-Kishori Mandal was held in the presence of Tyagvallabh Swami on the afternoon of Saturday 14 April 2007.
600 participants came together to offer their prayers for the BAPS Centenary and for the health of Pramukh Swami Maharaj. The Haveli was adorned with dazzling decorations, consisting of traditional rangoli patterns designed from rice and pulse grains, flanked with tassels of leaves, and illuminated with beautiful lamps to create an authentic setting. The murti of Nilkanth Varni greeted all the participants at the centre of the Haveli.
The ceremony was conducted by kishores, who recited the shlokas and narrated the significance of the various elements and stages of the ceremony. Tyagvallabh Swami performed the rituals of Harikrishna Maharaj and later explained the glory of the mahapooja. Each kishore and kishori was offered an opportunity to bathe the murti of Harikrishna Maharaj at the climax of this truly memorable occasion.
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