Friday 24 March 2023 | Chaitra Sud 3, Samvat 2079

Fri 24 Mar 2023

Acharya Swamishree Maharaj is joined by Mayor of London Boris Johnson to open Purushottam Mahal

Article
The very young cadets of Shree Muktajeevan Pipe Band line up dressed in their traditional Scottish uniforms
Members of Shree Muktajeevan Dhol Academy in their performance dress await the arrival of the Mayor of London Boris Johnson
Disciples greet guests as they gather at Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa Complex
Disciples greet guests as they gather at Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa Complex
Hundreds of disciples fill the courtyard of Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa Complex
Members of each Academy prepare their boards
Young disciples bring their bicycles to the complex
Hundreds of disciples gather awaiting the arrival of His Divine Holiness Acharya Swamishree and the Mayor of London Boris Johnson
Shree Muktajeevan Pipe Band perform
Hundreds of disciples gather awaiting the arrival of His Divine Holiness Acharya Swamishree and the Mayor of London Boris Johnson
Sants gather awaiting the start of the official Purushottam Mahal opening ceremony
The Mayor of London Boris Johnson arrives at Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa Complex
Shree Muktajeevan Pipe Band salutes the Mayor of London Boris Johnson
Disciples escort the Mayor through the complex
Shree Muktajeevan Pipe Band salutes the Mayor of London Boris Johnson
Shree Muktajeevan Pipe Band perform their western groups of melodies
Shree Muktajeevan Pipe Band and disciples lead the Mayor into the courtyard
Disciples explain the monumental significance of the grand opening of Purushottam Mahal to the Mayor Of London and his officials
Disciples explain the monumental significance of the grand opening of Purushottam Mahal
The Mayor of London Boris Johnson attempts to play the bagpipes
Members of Shree Muktajeevan Pipe Band meet with honoured guests
Disciples explain the monumental significance of the grand opening of Purushottam Mahal and detail the charitable and social activities of Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan
Disciples explain the monumental significance of the grand opening of Purushottam Mahal and detail the charitable and social activities of Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan
Disciples explain the monumental significance of the grand opening of Purushottam Mahal and detail the charitable and social activities of Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan
The courtyard is filled with disciples and guests who have come for the grand opening of Shree Purushottam Mahal
Hundreds fill the courtyard as the Mayor of London Boris Johnson is led to the stage area opposite the entrance of Shree Purushottam Mahal
All are delighted as the Mayor of London Boris Johnson shakes hands and poses for photos
All are delighted as the Mayor of London Boris Johnson shakes hands and poses for photos
All are delighted as the Mayor of London Boris Johnson shakes hands and poses for photos
All are delighted as the Mayor of London Boris Johnson shakes hands and poses for photos
Disciples take the Mayor of London Boris Johnson on a tour inside the nearly completed Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Kingsbury
Disciples take the Mayor of London Boris Johnson on a tour inside the nearly completed Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Kingsbury
Disciples detail the ethos and principles of the design and features of the new mandir
Disciples present the official logo pin of the grand opening festival of Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Kingsbury to Mayor of London Boris Johnson
Shree Muktajeevan Pipe Band skillfully perform their repertoire
Shree Muktajeevan Pipe Band lead His Divine Holiness Acharya Swamishree and Sants towards the stage area opposite the entrance of Shree Purushottam Mahal
Shree Muktajeevan Pipe Band lead His Divine Holiness Acharya Swamishree and Sants towards the stage area opposite the entrance of Shree Purushottam Mahal
Sants arrive at the stage
Divine darshan of His Divine Holiness Acharya Swamishree with the Mayor of London Boris Johnson
His Divine Holiness Acharya Swamishree shakes hands with Mayor of London Boris Johnson
His Divine Holiness Acharya Swamishree shakes hands with Mayor of London Boris Johnson
Sadguru Shree Munibhushandasji Swami skillfully ties a prasad paag on the Mayor of London Boris Johnson
Sadguru Shree Munibhushandasji Swami skillfully ties a prasad paag on the Mayor of London Boris Johnson
Dr. Mahesh Varsani addresses all gathered and introduces the Mayor of London
His Divine Holiness Acharya Swamishree presents a chandlo to Mayor of London Boris Johnson
Boris Johnson offers a garland of fresh pink flowers to His Divine Holiness Acharya Swamishree
Acharya Swamishree offers a garland of fresh flowers to Mayor of London Boris Johnson
His Divine Holiness Acharya Swamishree blessing all with the Mayor of London Boris Johnson
Divine darshan of His Divine Holiness Acharya Swamishree seated with Mayor of London Boris Johnson
His Divine Holiness Acharya Swamishree presents a rudraksha mala to Mayor of London Boris Johnson
His Divine Holiness Acharya Swamishree presents a rudraksha mala to Mayor of London Boris Johnson
Disciples who are members of Shree Muktajeevan Dance Academy prepare to perform a traditional Indian dance with flags outside the entrance of Purushottam Mahal
The Mayor of London Boris Johnson adorned in traditional white paag and a garland of fresh pink flowers
"What an amazing welcome! " exclaimed the Mayor as he addressed the thousand-plus audience.
Boris Johnson continues: "I think it is a fantastic achievement by the community. This will be a resource for local people in Kingsbury. "
Mr Johnson said: "I think it will be a wonderful place to come and do all sorts of things, cricket nets, football, weddings and then there is also a wonderful traditional Mandir. "
He continues: "In 200 years time people will still be able to come and visit this peaceful place in Kingsbury and it will be part of the fabric of London. I really congratulate people on what they have done. "
The view of the stage outside Purushottam Mahal
All listen to the Mayor of London Boris Johnson
The Mayor of London Boris Johnson continues
"London is the world's most diverse city and what better example of that diversity than what we see here today - a traditional, magnificent mandir on one side of the courtyard and a modern sports and community centre on the other. "
The Mayor of London Boris Johnson continues his addresses to all gathered
The Mayor of London addresses all and explains why London is the best big city in the world. "This Mandir is part of the reason people from all over the world want to come to this city. "
The Mayor of London Boris Johnson jovially refered to the upcoming referendum on Scottish independence. "No matter what is decided north of the border, London will always have its Shree Muktajeevan Pipe Band! ".
Disciples line around the perimeter of Shree Purushottam Mahal
Disciples who are members of Shree Muktajeevan Dance Academy perform a traditional Indian dance with flags outside the entrance of Purushottam Mahal
Disciples who are members of Shree Muktajeevan Dance Academy perform a traditional Indian dance with flags outside the entrance of Purushottam Mahal
Members of Shree Muktajeevan Dance Academy perform a traditional Indian dance with flags outside the entrance of Purushottam Mahal
Members of Shree Muktajeevan Dance Academy perform a traditional Indian dance with flags outside the entrance of Purushottam Mahal
A close up of the red and yellow flags depicting the official 2014 logo of the grand opening of Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Kingsbury
Members of Shree Muktajeevan Dance Academy perform a traditional Indian dance with flags outside the entrance of Purushottam Mahal
His Divine Holiness Acharya Swamishree presents the official glossy invitation to the grand opening of Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Kingsbury in August to the Mayor of London Boris Johnson
His Diivne Holiness Acharya Swamishree presents a brilliant white detailed 3D model of the new Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Kingsbury to the Mayor of London
His Diivne Holiness Acharya Swamishree presents a brilliant white detailed 3D model of the new Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Kingsbury to the Mayor of London
His Divine Holiness Acharya Swamishree and the Mayor of London Boris Johnson walk towards the main doors of Shree Purushottam Mahal
His Divine Holiness Acharya Swamishree and the Mayor of London Boris Johnson walk towards the main doors of Shree Purushottam Mahal
His Divine Holiness Acharya Swamishree and the Mayor of London Boris Johnson walk towards the main doors of Shree Purushottam Mahal
His Divine Holiness Acharya Swamishree and the Mayor of London Boris Johnson walk towards the main doors of Shree Purushottam Mahal
The Mayor of London Boris Johnson proceeds to greet each of the academies and their members
His Divine Holiness Acharya Swamishree and the Mayor of London Boris Johnson with members of Shree Muktajeevan Pipe Band cadets
His Divine Holiness Acharya Swamishree and the Mayor of London Boris Johnson with members of Shree Muktajeevan Sports Academy (Cricket)
The Mayor of London Boris Johnson with members of Shree Muktajeevan Dhol Academy
The Mayor of London Boris Johnson autographs the Shree Muktajeevan Dhol Academy sign
The Mayor of London Boris Johnson with members of Shree Muktajeevan Sports Academy (Keep Fit)
His Divine Holiness Acharya Swamishree and the Mayor of London Boris Johnson cut the ribbon outside the main entrance of Shree Purushottam Mahal
His Diivne Holiness Acharya Swamishree and the Mayor of London enter Shree Purushottam Mahal
His Diivne Holiness Acharya Swamishree and the Mayor of London enter Shree Purushottam Mahal
His Divine Holiness Acharya Swamishree, Sants and the Mayor of London Boris Johnson inside Purushottam Mahal
His Divine Holiness Acharya Swamishree, the Mayor of London Boris Johnson and guests watch a short video depicting the diverse and charitable activities of Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan
His Divine Holiness Acharya Swamishree, the Mayor of London Boris Johnson and guests watch a short video depicting the diverse and charitable activities of Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan
His Divine Holiness Acharya Swamishree officially unveils the official plaque in the presence of the Mayor of London Boris Johnson
His Divine Holiness Acharya Swamishree officially unveils the official plaque in the presence of the Mayor of London Boris Johnson
His Divine Holiness Acharya Swamishree officially unveils the official plaque in the presence of the Mayor of London Boris Johnson
His Divine Holiness Acharya Swamishree officially unveils the official plaque in the presence of the Mayor of London Boris Johnson
A close up of the Purushottam Mahal plaque
His Divine Holiness Acharya Swamishree, sants, disciples and the Mayor of London Boris Johnson enter Shree Purushottam Mahal
His Divine Holiness Acharya Swamishree enters Shree Purushottam Mahal blessing all
Dr. Mahesh Varsani escorts the Mayor of London Boris Johnson into Purushottam Mahal
The grand view of the majestic oppulent decorations inside Purushottam Mahal
Disciples detail the unique features and design of Shree Purushotam Mahal
Disciples detail the unique features and design of Shree Purushotam Mahal
His Divine Holiness Acharya Swamishree, Sants and the Mayor of London Boris Johnson inside Purushottam Mahal
Mayor of London Boris Johnson
Mayor Boris Johnson gives the press team an interview at the entrance of Purushottam Mahal
The Mayor of London Boris Johnson is presented with a framed photo of himself blessed by His Divine Holiness Acharya Swamishree earlier in the afternoon
The Mayor of London Boris Johnson adorned in a white prasad paag and garland of fresh pink flowers
The Mayor continues to greet all
Disciples serve prasad dinner
All disciples and guests dine on prasad dinner as the event concludes early into the evening
Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan