Saturday 19th August 2006
The Square outside of Bolton Town Hall was the venue for a Cultural Awareness Event, aimed at highlighting the artistic and cultural diversity of the town. Inspired by His Divine Holiness Acharya Swamishree, Sant Shiromani Shree Sarvatmapriyadasji Swami was accompanied to this event by Shree Swamibapa Pipe Band and a group of young disciples based at the Bolton Temple.
Shree Swamibapa Pipe Band performed their repertoire for the gathered crowds, who had turned out in their hundreds despite the pouring rain. Young girls from the Temple also performed devotional dances. As a finale to the Temple’s contribution to this event, Shree Sarvatmapriyadasji Swami performed his world-renowned kunkoo dance.
This dance is the culmination of years of practice and dedication, and personifies the immense love that a disciple has for Lord Swaminarayanbapa Swamibapa and Acharya Swamishree. It involves dancing on a 100ft² canvas laid on top of 40kg of kunkoo powder. Whilst adhering to the strict principles of ancient Hindu dance, Shree Sarvatmapriyadasji Swami draws out a perfect depiction of an elephant using only the precise movement of his feet. Shree Sarvatmapriyadasji Swami is the first sant of the Swaminarayan faith to have mastered this unique talent, and this is the first time that this spectacle has been performed outside of India.
Acharya Shree Jitendriyapriyadasji Swamiji Maharaj is the current spiritual leader of Maninagar Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan. He is the heir to Acharya Shree Purushottampriyadasji Swamishree Maharaj, and sixth in the lineage of ascetic Acharyas, which descends directly from Lord Shree Swaminarayan.
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Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Bolton
161 Deane Road
Bolton, Greater Manchester
BL3 5AH
Tel: +44 1204 533 558
Tel: +44 7529 981422 / Bolton@SwaminarayanGadi.com
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