HOLI YATRA WALK 2012, STAGE 8: SHREE SANATAN MANDIR

Eighth stage on the Holi Yatra Sponsored Walk with Leicester Friends of Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies: Shree Sanatan Mandir, Weymouth Street. The goal is to visit 15 Hindu places of worship in Leicester on foot today. Eight down ...

Holi (Hindi: होली) is a religious spring festival celebrated by Hindus, also known as the Festival of Colours. It is primarily observed in India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Nepal and in countries with large populations from India or of Indian descent who follow Hinduism.

Yatra (Sanskrit: यात्रा, "journey", "procession"), in Hinduism and other Indian religions, means pilgrimage to holy places and is generally undertaken in groups. One who goes on a yatra is known as a yatri. It is desirable, but not obligatory, for a Hindu to go on a yatra. One can go on a yatra for a variety of reasons, including festivals, to perform rituals for one's ancestors, or to obtain good karma. To traditional Hindus, the journey itself is as important as the destination, and the hardships of travel serve as an act of devotion in themselves. Visiting a sacred place is believed by the pilgrim to purify the self and bring one closer to the divine. (Thanks to Wikipedia for these definitions.)

Almost exactly a year ago, Shree Sanatan Mandir celebrated its 40^th anniversary, when it received a visit from Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex (see blog, Tuesday 29 March 2011).

We’re slightly ahead of schedule by this point and rather than arrive early at our next destination, the group spends more time in the worship hall, chanting and singing devotional melodies. I sit outside in the lobby, where I have an interesting chat with an elderly fellow who introduces himself to me as Hari. He comers from Delhi and is on his first visit to this country. He tells me that since he was a small boy, all he’s heard is “England this and England that” so he decided it was time for him to come and see it for himself. To say he’s not impressed (especially "area-wise") would be putting it mildly!

I leave some flyers and A4 posters for the upcoming REDP event Choice Unlimited (after asking permission, of course). I also leave information about the Council of Faiths next open meeting, a panel presentation entitled "God in my faith" coming up during the week.

EARL OF WESSEX VISITS SHREE SANATAN MANDIR

Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex, is visiting Shree Sanatan Mandir today. He's on a flying visit to a number of venues in the city and county (literally, as he arrived at Beaumont Leys School by helicopter). He's come here this morning to help celebrate the temple's 40th anniversary. The photo above (from the Leicester Mercury) shows HRH the Earl of Wessex with Vibhooti Acharya, Secretary of Shree Sanatan Mandir. Invitations requested us to arrive at the temple by 1030. After a cup of tea we're led into Mahatma Gandhi Hall and we're in our seats about half an hour later. His Royal Highness isn't due there till 1215, so there's plenty of time to chat. When His Royal Highness arrives at the temple he first meets with a children's group, then some of the elder members before having a short reception with representatives of some of the faith and community groups. When he arrives in Mahatma Gandhi Hall and takes his place on stage, His Royal Highness is welcomed with a devotional dance, performed by Nayana Whitaker and Hema R. Acharya (shown in photo below).

There's a brief speech by Ramanbhai Barber, President of Shree Sanatan Mandir, which ends with him garlanding His Royal Highness in the colours of the Indian flag. The climax of the occasion comes when His Royal Highness unveils a plaque marking the temple's 40th anniversary.

When His Royal Highness speaks, he's warm, witty, self-effacing, inclusive and funny. He tells us that in his experience the only thing duller than unveiling a plaque is watching someone unveil a plaque. So he says he's going to liven up proceedings by dividing us into sections and getting us to do some whooping, cheering and clapping to order. We practise a few times before he unveils the plaque on stage to suitably unrestrained audience participation. I'm told later that HRH was a big wow with the children and older people he met here today (and on his other engagements in Leicestershire today). I can certainly see why! What a charmer.

SOME DAY MY PRINCE WILL COME

And that day is tomorrow: Tuesday 29th. We find Shree Sanatan Mandir busier than usual this morning, preparing for the visit of HRH the Earl of Wessex (Prince Edward). He'll be here to help celebrate the temple's 40th anniversary. The photo above shows Ramanbhai Barber, President of Shree Sanatan Mandir, in front of one of the displays created by children for the royal visit. We appreciate Ramanbhai offering to host the meeting of our Bereavement Services Sub Group at the temple today, with all this going on.