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On the morning of Sunday 10th August 2008, His Divine Holiness Acharya Swamishree arrived in London, after completing a tour of the United States and Canada. Despite days of heavy rain and unseasonably poor weather in London during the previous few weeks, the summer sun was thoroughly shining as Acharya Swamishree arrived at the London Temple just before 9am.

Acharya Swamishree travelled to the UK in answer to the prayers and spiritual wishes of all His disciples residing across the country. Hundreds of disciples had gathered since the early hours for the divine darshan of Acharya Swamishree and the sants. Shree Muktajeevan Pipe Band saluted His Divine Holiness before leading Him through the temple grounds into the temple. As the Pipe Band led Acharya Swamishree, sat aloft on an ornate palanquin, towards the front of the temple, students of the recently-formed Shree Muktajeevan Dhol Academy filled the temple air with their unique rhythmic beats. This was the first time the Dhol Academy had performed in the presence of Acharya Swamishree, who was truly pleased to see the new and dedicative ways the Lord’s disciples used to show their devotion to Him. Acharya Swamishree performed aarti to Lord Swaminarayanbapa Swamibapa who was sat within a hindolo, which like the rest of the temple, was decorated with intricate thread patterns.

A special welcoming congregation was held at the London temple on that very evening. The trustees of the temple, along with other senior representatives, bequeathed His Divine Holiness Acharya Swamishree with flower garlands on behalf of the entire congregation. Senior sants, including Sadguru Shastri Shree Jitendriyapriyadasji Swami, spoke about the incredible endeavours of Acharya Swamishree during the past months, to have tirelessly travelled the full breadth of the US and Canada, fulfilling each and every individual disciple’s prayers. Bollywood music director Padma Shree Anandjibhai also came for the darshan of Acharya Swamishree.

His Divine Holiness Acharya Swamishree will remain in the UK until the beginning of September, during which time He will perform the Patotsav ceremonies at Shree Swaminarayan Mandir, Bolton and Golders Green, London.