The UK Mahila Mandal celebrated Swaminarayan Jayanti with great devotion and enthusiasm on Saturday 19 April at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Neasden, London.

The colourful evening programme, titled ‘Sahajanand Sukhkari’, began with a beautiful ‘divo’ dance performed by the Balika Mandal followed by a grand procession welcoming Harikrishna Maharaj to the festivities. Live enactments, cultural dances and inspiring speeches extolled the life and work of Bhagwan Swaminarayan, as well as the exemplary lives of His devotees, including Laduba, Jivuba and Dada Khachar.

The Akshar Purushottam philosophy was also clearly elucidated upon and how Pramukh Swami Maharaj as the Gunatit Satpurush is the guiding presence of Bhagwan Swaminarayan today.

The colourful finale dance, ‘Swaminarayan charankamal-ma…’, captivated the audience with a talented mix of ‘raas’ and ‘garbo’.

The wonderful evening ended with the prize-giving ceremony for the National Sponsored Walk & Fun Run 2008 organised on Sunday 6 April by BAPS in support of Diabetes UK. Everyone proudly witnessed the many accomplishments of their fellow mahilas from around the country, both young and old.