Beating the drum of Hindu unity at London festival

[Guest guest]

"Ashok Chowgule" <ashokvc@c...> wrote:

Beating the drum of Hindu unity at London festival

Press Release

www.hinducounciluk.org

 

London - 25 August 2005 - Amplified Indian devotional music

blared

through the streets of Southall in West London last Sunday, as

hundreds

of

members of the Hindu community congregated for a colourful procession

to

celebrate the forthcoming Krishna Janmasthami festival on Friday

August

26th.

 

Organised by Britain's oldest Hindu temple, the Shri Ram Mandir

in

King Street, Southall, the "Shobha Yatra" procession wended its way

jubilantly for 2 hours before arriving at its destination at one of

London's

other famous Hindu temples - the Vishwa Hindu Kendra on Lady Margaret

Road,

Southall.

 

The festive occasion was organised by Arun Thakur, the

President

of

the Shri Ram Mandir, and Umesh Chander, Chairman of the Hindu temple

trust.

Mr Thakur stated:

 

"This is our 5th Shoba Yatra and it was well attended by the

different

Hindu communities and organisations from London and from the UK. The

Hare

Krishna temple in Watford, Vishwa Hindu Kendra and Asa Ram Bappu are

some of

the organisations who always participate".

 

The unity present on the day was reflected in the

representation

by

two Sikh organisations, the Guru Singh Sabha and the Meri Peri

Gurudwara.

Refreshments were provided by Southall's Roxy Restaurant, while Desi

Radio

provided media coverage. Different Stalls were set up all the way

along

the

parade route by Mr. Deepak Dogra of Future Front in Southhall.

Prasadam,

sanctified vegetarian food, was liberally distributed throughout the

procession.

 

Commenting on the community spirit, Sudarshan Bhatia, President

of

the

Vishwa Hindu Kendra of Lady Margaret Road, Southall, stated:

 

"The local north Indian Hindu community was joined by devotees

and

various faith groups from all over the UK to participate in this

pilgrimage.

It achieved the purpose of cultural communication, unity and the

transparency of the Hindu temples."

 

The procession was led by devotees from the famous Hare Krishna

temple

at Bhaktivedanta Manor in Watford, chanting and dancing jubilantly to

the

accompaniment of drums, cymbals and accordion along the entire parade

route,

the women resplendent in traditional saris and the men in dhotis. The

spiritual sound vibration of the Hare Krishna mantra clearly brought

smiles

to many faces both within the procession and to those watching along

the

parade route.

 

Such a show of Hindu unity also has its ironic point, however;

Bhaktivedanta Manor operates as a theological college as well as a

place

of

public worship and yet its management has banned some Hindu families

from

worshipping in the temple over a point of theology. These families

will

therefore have to celebrate Lord Krishna's birthday elsewhere this

weekend.

However, Anil Bhanot, General Secretary of the Hindu Council UK, is

negotiating with the Manor management to find a solution which will

enable

these families to worship there.

 

Deepak Vohra

Communications Officer

Hindu Council UK

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