As usual, click on any of the below pictures to see the larger view or to save them to your computer.. Lets all go today to the beautiful Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (Neasden Temple) in London BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, London – popularly known as the Neasden Temple – is the first traditional Hindu Mandir in Europe. 2,820 tonnes of Bulgarian limestone and 2,000 tonnes of Italian Carrara marble were shipped to India, carved by over 1,500 craftsmen and reshipped to London. It is a masterpiece of exotic design and workmanship that rises above London's skyline. Replete with luminescent white pinnacles and glittering marble pillars, it stands as a beacon for Hindus, both young and old throughout the world. Since its opening in August 1995, the Mandir has attracted devotees and visitors from all over the world as well as 8,600 school and group visits. Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (Neasden Temple), London in winter---- They come to experience living Hinduism and the peace and tranquility that the sacred Mandir and murtis provide. The Mandir has also achieved international recognition with two entries in Guinness World Records; the first entry is for the largest traditionally built Hindu stone Mandir in the Western hemisphere and the second for the largest Annakut offering with 1,247 vegetarian items offered to the sacred deities. The Mandir has also been described as the 8th wonder of the world by Reader's Digest and has earned a place in their book, the 70 Wonders of the 20th Century. The Haveli prayer hall is totally pillarless spanning 2,500 sq. metres and satsang (spiritual discourses) for people of all age groups is catered for. Sita Ram Das Hanuman GovardhanHari krishna Radha Krishna Lord Shiva Shiva Parvati Lakshmi Narayan Lakshmi After renouncing His home at the tender age of 11, Bhagwan Swaminarayan commenced a journey of spiritual awakening across the length and breadth of India – during which He came to be known as Nilkanth Varni. Barefooted Nilkanth walked alone, covering 8,000 miles over 7 years. As a tribute to His divine sojourns, a small image of Bhagwan Shri Nilkanth Varni was ceremoniously consecrated by His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj in the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Neasden, London on 6 September 2004. Nilkanth Varni --As a mark of devotion and gratitude for His sacrifice and compassion for humanity, devotees daily offer abhishek to the image of Nilkanth Varni by bathing the sacred image with sanctified water from holy rivers the world over. Many more come to simply offer prayers and seek answers to their afflictions, leaving rejuvenated, solaced in mind and spirit. Aksharbrahma Gunatitanand Swami, Bhagwan Swaminarayan and Shri Gopalanand Swami Shri Harikrishna Maharaj and Shri Radha Krishna Dev Shri Ghanshyam Maharaj Shri Ghanshyam Maharaj . May all the Gods, Godessess and Saints bless our souls .. Message from the teachings of Sai baba for 14th October Nine Modes of Devotion - Self-Surrender It is a great boon to human life to know Sai philosophy and His Divinity. What we should do is to surrender to Baba and very lovingly plead Him to reveal the duty we are destined to do. Be it good or bad, victory or defeat, we have to accept them as great gifts of Sai. In order to get blessed by the Divine Love of Sai and reach His Feet, the path of self-surrender is the best one. Dikshit, a devotee surrendered his soul to Baba and proved his unflinching loyalty and devotion. It is absolute truth that those who completely surrender their souls to Baba will get rid of bad qualities and sorrows and attain liberation of soul. When Baba commanded His devotees, Kaka Saheb Dikshit and Bade Baba to butcher a goat for testing their devotion, Bade Baba, though a Muslim, fearing sin, refused to oblige. But, the moment Kaka Saheb Dikshit obliged and raised the knife, Baba exclaimed, "Stop, being a Brahmin how will you butcher a goat"? Dikshit replied that the nectarine words of Baba were commands for devotees and that they were unaware of good or bad consequences. He replied very obediently "following Your command is our noblest duty". This instance is a fine example of abiding by Baba's words. For those devotees who surrender to God, nothing like "mine" remains. Baba shoulders the responsibility of a devotee whose mind is merged in Him .
