Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Kingsbury welcomed the Armed Forces to the Mandir to celebrate Raksha Bandhan festival.

The chief guest was the Rt Hon Earl Howe (MOD Minister of State in the House of Lords) and senior military personnel included General Sir Gordon Messenger KCB DSO OBE ADC (Vice Chief of Defence Staff). Around twenty Hindu and non-Hindu Armed forces personnel received Rakhis from our young boys and girls – symbolising the bond between the protectors and those being protected. Local MP Barry Gardiner and a number of other dignitaries also attended.

Mandir Trustee, Dr Mahesh Varsani said at the event, “Our Armed Forces are at the vanguard of protecting us and we should never take them for granted. Our global spiritual leader, Acharya Swamishree Maharaj often visits military installations in India to remind us of the selfless and valiant job that these courageous servicemen and women do. It is for that reason that we are hugely honoured to host the Armed Forces Hindu Network’s flagship Raksha Bandhan event here today.”