TIRATH YATRA WALK POSTPONED

The Tirath Yatra sponsored walk scheduled for today, organised by Leicester Friends of The Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies, has been postponed due to inclement weather.

More than 60 people had signed up for this pilgrimage round Leicester's 15 mandirs. I was looking forward to the occasion. I bought a new pair of urban walking trainers and have been doing appropriate exercises so that I could make a better job of it than I did last year. I walked for nine hours that day, but gave up with five mandirs still to go. My legs were like jelly for days after. Last year, the Holi Yatra Walk nearly killed me. I've been telling folk that I'm determined to come back this time and finish the job. In total, the walk covers some 13 miles.

I've struggled to come up with a definition of "Tirath". The best I could find is on Urban Dictionary. Not the most graceful English, I'm sure you'll agree faithful reader, but the meaning is clear enough. "Tirath: pilgrimage and sacred, full of holiness and divine power".

Here's the definition of "Yatra" from Wikipedia that I used when I blogged about the sponsored walk last year. 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.

I've listed below the names and addresses of the different stages on the sponsored walk, as well as links to their websites (for those which have one):

1. Shree Jalaram Prarthana Mandal, 85 Narborough Rd, LE3 0LF 
2. Jain Centre, 32 Oxford St, LE1 5XU
3. Geeta Bhavan, 70 Clarendon Park Rd, LE2 3AD
4. Radha Krishna Mandir, 47 Cromford St, LE2 0FW
5. Shree Hindu Mandir, 34 St Barnabas Rd, LE5 4BD
6. Mandir Baba Balak Nath Ji, 1 Uppingham Rd, LE5 3TA
7. Shree Sanatan Mandir, 84 Weymouth St, LE4 6FQ
8. Shree Shakti Mandir,  73 Cannon Stt, LE4 6NH
9. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, 135 Gipsy Ln, LE4 6RH
10. Swaminarayan Mandir (ISSO), 139-141 Loughborough Rd, LE4 5LQ
11. Shreeji Haveli, 504 Melton Rd, LE4 7SP
12. Ram Mandir, Hildyard Rd, LE4 5GG
13. Shri Siva Murugan Temple, Unit 3b Abbey Mill, Ross Walk, LE4 5HH
14. Sri Vedmata Gayatri Parivar, 16 Rendell Rd, LE4 6LE

There's one other stop on the route, the address of which I don't list as it's untended most of the time.

To the untrained eye this may looks like a pretty exhaustive list of Hindu sites in Leicester, but I know of a further half dozen or more places of worship and/or faith-based community centres that are not visited on the walk. There's a new Shri Shirdi Baba Temple Association mandir on Colton Street opening at the end of this month, so hopefully that one can be slotted in too.

MAPPING FAITH & PLACE: 3rd SEMINAR

At the University of Leicester, Bennett Building, Department of Geography, this morning for the latest seminar in the University's Mapping Faith and Place project. Mapping Faith and Place is funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) within their funding stream, "Care for the Future: Thinking Forward Through the Past".

The core aim of the project is explore the significance of South Asian religions and cultural heritage in Leicester's urban landscape. The wider context for this work, of course, includes the other aspects of religious and cultural identity and life in the city. There's more to the diversity of Leicester in terms of faith and belief than just the South Asian representation - as the project acknowledges, both in these workshops and in its print and online publications.

This is the last of three seminars for this project. You can read earlier blog posts for the launch event (Friday 7 October 2011), first seminar (Tuesday 18 October 2011) and second seminar (Monday 16 January 2012). These seminars will be followed by a final conference in the summer, although it's hoped that the project will continue beyond that period of initial funding.

Leicester Council of Faiths has lent a hand at various stages of this project (although if we'd grasped how significant Mapping Faith and Place is, we'd surely have done more to help). We borrowed the two pop-up banners for our display at Highcross during Inter Faith Week a couple of months ago, when we also distributed many copies of the Leicester Faith Trail booklet. Members of staff (Deirdre O'Sullivan and Dr Ruth Young - both of whom are here today) and students from the School of Archaeology and Ancient History took part in that exhibition.

The first seminar focused on built sacred spaces in a stricter architectural sense: whether new-built or taken over from other, earlier uses, expressing a break from, or continuity with the past. The second concentrated on sense of place: how people construct stories around geographical sites and personal identities. Today we're looking at new media, the transformative nature of digital technology to affect identity and project it into the world.

I was concerned that we’d have an unmanageably small turnout this morning, given torrential rain and the relatively difficult access to the venue. But there are a dozen of us here, which is more than enough to make it work.

First order of business is the uploading, copying or scanning of resources related to places of worship or faith trails that each of us have been asked to bring today. I've brought three digital photographs taken on the Holi Yatra Walk, Saturday 10 March. Others have brought sound clips, video and solid artefacts.

Dr Claire Jarvis, Senior Lecturer in Geographical Information, gives a fascinating PowerPoint presentation, "Representing Faith and Place". She shows and discusses some ancient maps which may be said to tell us more about the people who made them rather than the places they were intended to describe. She speaks of how we are becoming "prosumers" (a hybrid of producer / consumer) in this geospatial digital age; prosumers of a vast quantity of maps, which are being created and used in greater numbers than ever before, and in increasingly imaginative and idiosyncratic ways. Maps are being increasingly used to reflect lived experience, to tell stories about ourselves as individuals and communities. We see some examples of this kind of map too, which say something more nuanced than just where something is located or how to find a place. I'm especially struck by this quotation in her presentation, from Miguel Helft, in the New York Times, 27 July 2007:

With the help of simple tools introduced by Internet companies recently, millions of people are trying their hand at cartography, drawing on digital maps and annotating them with text, images, sound and videos.

In the process, they are reshaping the world of mapmaking and collectively creating a new kind of atlas that is likely to be both richer and messier than any other.

Incidentally, this concept of being a "prosumer" reminds me of the theory and practice of Co-Production, which was the topic of a meeting at County Hall on Monday morning.

Claire leads us through the process of creating our own maps, each of us at a work station, using mscape maker. I get to add my first digital image but no more, as I have to leave early for a Funding Fair at Voluntary Action LeicesterShire. I'm sorry I don't get to stay for the rest of this seminar, as I've found what we've done so far utterly fascinating and would love to learn and practise more. I hope to be able to follow up in my own time.

HOLI YATRA WALK 2012, STAGE 10: BAPS SHRI SWAMINARAYAN MANDIR

Tenth stage on the Holi Yatra Sponsored Walk with Leicester Friends of Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies: BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, at the corner of Catherine Street and Gipsy Lane. The goal is to visit 15 Hindu places of worship in Leicester on foot today.

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.)

While we're here my iPhone battery gives up the ghost - and so do I. There are still five stages of the Holi Yatra Walk to go and it's already past 1700. Early promotion for this event said it would last from 1100-1700, which was later changed to 0900-1700, then while we've been on it, the end has been moved back again to 1900. At this point I think that's a bit optimistic - especially for me.

As my fellow yatris head off along Gipsy Lane toward the next stage, I make my way in the opposite direction uphill toward the 53 bus back to the city centre. I’m alone but for a matter paneer in nan with salad and chilli sauce, from the Blue Chippy across the road from the mandir. To the casual observer, at certain moments it would be hard to tell whether I'm trying to eat it or it's trying to eat me.

Here are the final five mandirs I don't get to visit today. I don’t know the order in which the Holi Yatra Walk is stopping at them, so don’t take this as a route.

• ISSO Swaminarayan Mandir, Loughborough Rd
• Shreeji Haveli
• Shree Ram Mandir, Hildyard Road
• Shri Siva Murugan Temple, Abbey Mill, Ross Walk
• Sri Vedmata Gayatri Pariwar, Rendell Road

HOLI YATRA WALK 2012, STAGE 9: SHREE SHAKTI MANDIR

Ninth stage on the Holi Yatra Sponsored Walk with Leicester Friends of Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies: Shree Shakti Mandir, Canon Street. The goal is to visit 15 Hindu places of worship in Leicester on foot today. Nine 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, Pakistand 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.)

Shree Shakti Mandir is one of the least ostentatious places of worship I've had the pleasure of visiting in the city. It's a single storey concrete building in a residential area and would be easy to miss or mistake for something else. First sight of the premises reminds me of a scout hall or something similar. It also brings to mind the Italian Chapel on Lamb Holm in the Orkney Islands, which I've visited twice (in 1984 and 2008). This building was previously used as a Roman Catholic church (Our Lady of Good Counsel). On the other side of the building from where we enter (on Moira Street), Christian symbols have been left visible, quite deliberately as a way of emphasising the religious harmony of previous and present use.

I leave some fliers 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.

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.

HOLI YATRA WALK 2012, STAGE 7: MANDIR BABA BALAK NATH JI

Seventh stage on the Holi Yatra Sponsored Walk with Leicester Friends of Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies:  Mandir Baba Balak Nath Ji on Uppingham Road. The goal is to visit 15 Hindu places of worship in Leicester on foot today. Seven 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.)

When we arrive, the mandir is closed and there appears to be no one to let us in. While we're waiting, I have an interesting chat with Kash Bhayani, who takes part in cultural competence training activities for Leicestershire Police. Over the next few minutes, we take some group photos outside the mandir, just to prove that we were there, then move on.

We've walked barely 50 yards up and across Uppingham Road when we're called back. Our host has opened the door and we can get in after all. This is another of the more modest temples, although like all mandirs I've seen, it's bright, colourful with plenty to see and ask about inside. If you're interested in finding out more about the distinctive beliefs of those who worship here, visit the Baba Balak Nath page on Wikipedia.

HOLI YATRA WALK 2012, STAGE 6: SHREE HINDU TEMPLE & COMMUNITY CENTRE

Sixth stage on the Holi Yatra Sponsored Walk with Leicester Friends of Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies: Shree Hindu Temple & CommunityCentre, St Barnabas Road. The goal is to visit 15 Hindu places of worship in Leicester on foot today. Six 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.)

After leaving Radha Krishna Temple in Cromford Street (stage five) and becoming separated from the rest of the party due to over-zealous tweeting, I take a number of wrong turnings before realising exactly where I should be heading. I think the group has already become used to me being at the back – but not this far back! Or maybe they thought I’d had enough and given up and gone home – not yet though! I’m determined to stay the course; well, more of the course than I’ve stayed so far.

On this solo part of the Yatra (does that increase its merit for me? or does losing touch with the group decrease it?) I take comfort in the virtual company of my frequent and reliable companions Fraser Cain (publisher of Universe Today) and Dr Pamela Gay (a professor at Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville). I'm working my way through the back catalogue of Astronomy Cast, a podcast which describes itself as a "weekly facts-based journey through the cosmos, where we help you understand not only what we know, but how we know what we know." I downloaded these en masse a while back and have been mainlining them, sometimes three or more per day for ages now. The first podcast dates from 10 September 2006 and I make a point of listening to every single one, all the way through - even if it goes way over my head (and it often does, believe me).

Each specifically themed podcast alternates with one addressing questions sent in by listeners, so there are a lot of podcasts to get through. While en route to Shree Hindu Temple, I listen to episode 140 (1 June 2009) on the subject of quantum entanglement. This is precisely the sort of occasion Astronomy Cast was meant for.

I think I'll reach the next stage only to see the little yellow rucksacks disappearing into the distance - if I'm lucky. More likely, I'll reach it after they've left and will be struggling to get a steer on their next destination. But my luck is in: I arrive at Shree Hindu Temple not only to find that the group has spent all the time so far in the worship hall, but also that I've arrived just in time for lunch! And just before eating, I get the call I've been waiting for from Suleman Nagdi at the Federation of Muslim Organisations, in case there's been any misunderstanding about our group walking through Highfields with placards held high. He says he hasn't heard anything in the hour or so since I left my message, but he'll keep his ear to the ground and take care of any rumours that he might hear.

Our hosts serve us a very welcome vegetarian meal, give us a lovely glossy colour booklet about the temple and the various celebrations that take place there. Shree Hindu Temple describes itself as the first Hindu place of worship to be opened (in 1969), not only in Leicester, but in the United Kingdom. I wonder how that squares with the claims made for Radha Krishna Temple on Cromford Street, the previous stage on our yatra. Certainly, they're very different buildings. Another mystery I'd like to resolve sometime. Oh, and have a look at Shree Hindu Temple's YouTube channel.

I leave some fliers 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.

Then we set off for our next port of call: Mandir Baba Balak Nath Ji on Uppingham Road. I fall in at the back of the group again. This isn't some false display of humility on my part; I really am this slow, compared to the rest of them. Thankfully, there's always someone who hangs back to chat.

HOLI YATRA WALK 2012, STAGE 5: RADHA KRISHNA TEMPLE SHYAMA ASHRAM

Fifth stage on the Holi Yatra Sponsored Walk with Leicester Friends of Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies: Radha Krishna Temple Shyama Ashram, Cromford Street. The goal is to visit 15 Hindu places of worship in Leicester on foot today. Five 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.)

Halfway down Melbourne Road, Shaunaka Rishi Das, Director of the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies, and I are chatting together when he asks me if Highfields is mostly a Muslim area. When I reply that it is, he wonders aloud about the wisdom of a group of 50 or so Hindus striding along carrying aloft placards. All of a sudden, we look like a demo. What with the recent visit of the English Defence League and the fact that there's been a widely reported arson attack on a mosque just last week by an Asian man, we decide that it would be wise to move along the group, asking those holding placards to put them down for the moment. Most comply, but not all. There are some anxious and concerned faces on local people in shop doorways, in cars - people stop in twos and threes on the other side of the road and stare at us. Being at the back of the group as we turn into Cromford Street and walk uphill, I see people come out of their doors as we pass their houses, making calls, photographing us on their mobiles. Those walking ahead of me are oblivious to this. I decide to put in a call to my friend and colleague, Suleman Nagdi, Spokesman for the Federation of Muslim Organisations, just in case word gets around that there's some sort of Hindu-led protest march through Highfields this afternoon. He's not available right now, so I leave a message for him to call me as soon as he can. There's no sense of being threatened here - indeed, most of my fellow walkers proceed blithely on - I should make that clear. Better to be safe than sorry, though.

Radha Krishna Temple was the first Hindu place of worship in Leicester, having been established in 1968 and it has been in continuous use since then. To call it unpretentious would be an understatement. It's clearly held in great esteem by the worshippers here today - as is the elderly lady who is the temple's custodian. I must find out more about this place and its history.

When we leave the temple, I'm so intent on getting a decent photo and spelling the name right on my tweets that I let the others move off without me (again). But this time I lose sight of them and can't pick up their trail. This part of Highfields is a bit of a warren and there are no clues as to which way they've gone. I look up on my iPhone the list of temples on the walk today. There's no schedule as such, but there is a list - and next on the list is Shree Hindu Temple in St Barnabas Road. Even knowing that, I manage to take a wrong turn, down through Spinney Hill Park, on to East Park Road toward Evington Road: precisely the opposite direction from the next stage on the walk. Now read on ...

HOLI YATRA WALK 2012, STAGE 4: SHREE GEETA BHAVAN TEMPLE

Fourth stage on the Holi Yatra Sponsored Walk with Leicester Friends of Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies: Shree Geeta Bhavan Temple & Hindu Community Centre, Clarendon Park Road. The goal is to visit 15 Hindu places of worship in Leicester on foot today. Four 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.)

Those placards borne aloft in the photo above announce that we're on a Holi Yatra sponsored walk (as seen on the placard to the left) and "Think Hindu Studies Think OCHS" (on the right). I carry one of them for a while. I never get one of those nifty little yellow rucksacks with the logo for today's event though.

On the road from the Jain Centre on Oxford Street (the previous stage on the walk) I chat with Kamlesh Purohit, who hosts a Sunday evening show on BBC Radio Leicester. I've been on his show a couple of times recently, before and after the recent visit to Leicester by the English Defence League. He asks me to record a soundbite on the move for his next show, which will include a report of today's event.

Shree Geeta Bhavan is the headquarters of the Hindu Religious and Cultural Society Leicester.

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. As we set off from Shree Geeta Bhavan I nip across the road to Christchurch and leave some of the same material there. This leads to me falling behind the group, but as long as I catch up before they reach the junction of Clarendon Park Road and London Road, so at least I can see whether they go left or right ...

HOLI YATRA WALK 2012, STAGE 3: JAIN CENTRE

Third stage on the Holi Yatra Sponsored Walk with Leicester Friends of Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies: The Jain Centre, Oxford Street. The goal is to visit 15 Hindu places of worship in Leicester on foot today. Three 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.)

While Jainism is identified as a distinct religion in its own right in terms of membership of the Council of Faiths, no one involved today seems particularly fussed that it should be included in a route taking in all the Hindu places of worship in Leicester.

One of the distinctive features of Leicester's Jain Centre is that it accommodates many different sects of the religion under one roof, giving each its own space for worship, while the followers can mingle together socially. As well as the main area for worship (seen in photo above), several smaller rooms present variations on Jain belief and practice for the benefit of those who worship differently (as shown in the photo below, taken on a Peace Visit organised by Leicester Council of Faiths in September 2009).

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.

HOLI YATRA WALK 2012, STAGE 2: ISKCON TEMPLE

Second stage on the Holi Yatra Sponsored Walk with Leicester Friends of Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies. The goal is to visit 15 Hindu places of worship in Leicester on foot today. Two 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.)

On the way from Shree Jalaram Prarthana Mandal on Narborough Road (the first stage and starting point of the walk) to the Jain Centre on Oxford Street, we briefly stop off at what appears to be a disused shop in the West End. Although the place is locked this morning, we're told that the effigy of Lord Jagannath is inside, making this one of the smallest Hindu places of worship in Leicester. This effigy is one of three deities (along with that of Lord Baladeva and their sister Subhadra Devi) which are pulled along in chariots during the Rath Yatra celebration (or Festival of Chariots) which is observed annually in Leicester. The photo above (by Kiran Parmar, by permission) shows the three chariots arriving in Cossington Park during Leicester's celebration of Rath Yatra, 2009. The chariot bearing Lord Jagannath is the one in the front, with the red canopy.

Since the building is unattended today (and at many other times) I've decided (in the interests of security) not to state its location or take a photo of it - although there's nothing about it from the outside that would suggest there's anything special inside.