Kerala special Jandai Vadhyam by Malayalees in London in front of the Skanda (Murugan) Chariot

Article No. 2063

Written by London swaminathan

Swami_48@yahoo.com

Date : 11  August  2015

Time uploaded in London :–  14-53

Hindus in London enjoy the four months from June to September. It is not because of summer alone, but because of lot of Hindu festivals organised during that period. From Hare Krishna Rath yatra in June to Janmashtami in September, there are lot of Rath  Yatras (Chariot Festivals) and big festivals. Lot of singers, dancers and speakers come to London and remind the Hindus of their hoary tradition and culture. It gives the Hindus plenty of opportunities to wear their traditional dresses and celebrate it as they celebrate in India, Sri Lanka and Malaysia.

There are over 25 Hindus temples run by Tamils in London. More temples are there run by Swaminarayan followers. There are other Hindu temples run by speakers of Hindi and Punjabi.

Hare Krishna temple in Watford (Greater London) celebrate Janmashtami when 10,000 Hindus visit the temple. I have already posted the Chariot Festival by ISKCON which was attended by thousands of Hindus in central London. Ram Navami procession in Southall is famous as well. Deepavali procession in Wembley (Brent) attracts a big crowd. Floats and decorated chariots come in the popular procession. Since Diwali falls in winter months, lot of celebrations happen inside the halls. British Prime Minister gives a party. Every Deepavali, Hindu Forum of Britain arranges a meeting inside the Parliament building in London. Ministers and MPs belonging to different parties participate in it with great enthusiasm. The Annakut festival arranged at the famous marble temple of Swami Narayan in Neasden, London attract a huge crowd. In the past few years more Swaminarayan temples have come up in Stanmore, Kingsbury and other places.

Hare Krishna Rath Yatra in Central London

Apart from London, Balaji temple in Birmingham, Hindu temples in Leicester, Coventry, Manchester and New Castle upon Tyne have their own annual events. Swamijis (Hindu ascetics) belonging to various Gujarati sects visit London to give discourses. Sri Vallabh Trust also has a branch.

Scores of Sathya Sai Bhajan centres are there in every Petah (Council) of greater London. There are at least two Shirdi Sai Temples in Wembley and East Ham.

Children dressed as Radha Krishna in front of the ratha/chariot

Mahalakshmi Temple in East Ham has bought a land and building a big new temple in East ham nearby its present location.

Saivaite Hindus have formed an organisation of their own temples and conduct annual festival in London. Scholars from India and Sri Lanka address the Hindus.

Since I have attended almost all the above events, I have the personal experience which is unforgettable. Foreigners also throng these places and taste our food. Every time a Hindu procession or event organised I see thousands of cameras flashing. Curious onlookers ask about the significance of the chariots and our customs.

Missions like Ramakrishna Mutt, Chinmaya Mission, Divine Life Society, Isha Foundation, Art of Living Foundation and hundreds of Yoga Teaching Centres, St James Sanskrit School are doing remarkable work.

Professor Anantharaman Bhajan at Chinmaya Keerti, London

Since Chinmaya Mission activities are in English with Sanskrit background, lot of youngsters attend their activities. Moreover they are not sect based and so all sections of Hindus attend their events. Swamijis of Chinmaya Mission visit London at least twice a year to give a spiritual feast. At least thousand people listen to them every day.

Swami Narayan temple in Neasden is a big tourist attraction. Since they have huge parking facilities and a restaurant attached to the temple, School children with White and Afro Caribbean backgrounds visit the temple almost every day during school term time.

Durga Puja is organised by the Bengali Hindus on a grand scale and Ganesh Chaturthi is organised by the Maharshtrians every year. They get special permission to do the immersion ceremony of the idols in Thames River outside the city.

Chinmya Mission Swaranjali group with Sprom from Europe: Mozart to Hanuman Chalisa symphony

Swami Tejomayananda, Head of Chinmaya Mission Talk on Ram Gita in Central London.

Though one cannot have the same atmosphere of Mahakumbha Mela of Prayag or Janmashtami of Brindhavan or Rath Yatra of Puri or my home town Madurai Meenakshi Temple Chitra Festival, in London, at least we are reminded of our past golden days back home.

(NB. My list above is not comprehensive. I might have left some of the important events or the places.)

All the pictures are taken by me.

London Murugan/ Skanda chariot in East London

Women used to carry burning pot in their hands as part of their vow, Lewisham Adi Vel Chariot

Traditional Tamil Pipes and Drums in front of the Chariot procession, Lewisham, London

All Women Powered Chariot Procession in Lewisham Adi Vel There (Chariot Procession)

Saivaite Conference Bannaer with Bull and Om Namasivaaya

Tamil Hindus offer Coconut, Banana, Betel Leaves and incense Sticks to God.