From today's Leicester Mercury:
Devotees celebrate temple opening
Worshippers have celebrated the consecration of a temple.
A procession of dancing, singing and praying Hindus made its way along Belgrave Road, Leicester, to the Vrajdham temple, in Loughborough Road, while scores more watched.
The temple is dedicated to Srinathji, the deity worshipped by the Pushtimarg sect.
Dwarkesh Laljee, a descendant of the sect's founder, who had travelled from India to bless the building, performed the opening ceremony. He travelled along Belgrave Road in a horse-drawn carriage accompanied by devotees, drummers and singers.
The temple was a place of worship which had fallen into disrepair and not been used for over two years.
Temple spokesman Ashok Thakker said: "This is an historic landmark.
"From what was a fairly dilapidated building centre it has mushroomed into what we see now."
Mahendra Lakhani, from Rushey Mead, and brother Bupendra, who had travelled from Cambridgeshire, for the event watched the procession.
Mahendra said: "For us, it's a special occasion we shouldn't miss. It's a once-in-a-lifetime occasion.
"I used to travel to India once a year to visit the shrine of Shrinathji so I am so pleased we will now have this temple."
Jayaradhe Dasi, 53, of Rushey Mead said: "We have come to show our love and devotion for God and to receive spiritual blessings."
