WORSHIPPERS IN FIRST BIG FESTIVAL SINCE BLAST

This article is published in today's Leicester Mercury:

Worshippers in first big festival since blast

Hare Krishna worshippers have held their first major public display following an explosion at their temple.

Dancers and singers from all over the world entertained the crowds in Humberstone Gate, in the city centre, at the event on Saturday.

The Leicester Hare Krishna devotees were left devastated after an explosion destroyed their temple in Thoresby Street, North Evington, in September.

The explosion and subsequent fire left some people homeless, as they lived at the temple.

The worshippers, who have been holding weekly gatherings in rented premises ever since, were finally ready for their free festival, which included Bengali drum displays, Hare Krishna chanting and the Leicester Afro Kubanza drummers, at the weekend.

Dancer Anapayini Jakupko, who grew up in Leicester but moved to America 12 years ago, travelled back to perform with the headline act, the Bhakti Dance Seva Ensemble.

Anapayini said: "Leicester is very close to my heart, as I was raised in the Iskcon (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) community here.

"My father was instrumental in starting the temple about 20 years ago, and now we feel honoured to be able to offer our help."