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Prayers for Victims of Westgate Tragedy 21 Sept 2014

21st September 2013 was a dark day in the Kenyan history. A number of innocent lives were lost in the Westgate tragedy. After exactly one year, Shree Swaminarayan Siddhant Sajivan Mandal Nairobi held special prayers at Swamibapa Temple and adopted 67 baby elephants in memory of the Westgate victims.

In commemoration of our bereaved brothers and sisters, members of SSSS Mandal Nairobi, on behalf of Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan, adopted 67 baby elephants at David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. The trust takes cares of baby elephants aged between 1 month to 3years. The members visited the park located on Magadi Road and contributed a handsome amount of funds to take care of these young elephants. The funds will be used to purchase food, medications and other necessities for the baby elephants.

Some members also took part in walk at Karura Forest where a plaque was unveiled in honour of Westgate Victims as Kenya marked the first anniversary of the Westgate mall terror attack.Thousands of mourners gathered at the Amani Gardens within Nairobi’s Karura forest to honour and celebrate the lives of all those who perished in the tragedy.

In the evening, hundreds of devotees, friends, relatives and well-wishers of the bereaved family members gathered at Swamibapa Temple to offer their prayers. Acharya Shree Purushottam Priyadasji Swami Maharaj showered His Divine blessings upon the congregation and gave strength and courage to the bereaved family members. Two minutes of silence was observed followed by the chanting of the Holy Mahamantra "Ohm Shree Swaminarayanbapa Swamibapa Bhagwatay Namah". Candles were lit and flower bouquets placed in front of the central shrine. To conclude the prayers, everyone lit a candle and performed Maha-aarti to Lord Swaminarayanbapa Swamibapa.