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SMSPB London Golden Anniversary Celebrations - 29th August 2022

Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa Pipe Band marks it’s fiftieth anniversary this year, and Acharya Swamiji Maharaj graciously offered a full day of celebrations to mark this momentous milestone.

The Band organised and delivered a number of aspects to today’s celebrations, including making a Mediterranean themed prasad, holding a photo and video shoot of the entire Band with Acharya Swamiji Maharaj, and a special evening of celebrating the Band’s history.

The celebrations kicked off in the morning, with every single Band member attending Mangla Aarti, which was a sea of red as a result. All those at Mangla aarti were then treated to a breakfast, courtesy of the Band. In the early afternoon, the Band had the privilege of having photo and video shoot with Bapa in order to capture valuable memories of this important occasion. In the evening, the Band delivered a presentation and performance to the entire sabha, presided over by Acharya Swamiji Maharaj.

The evening heard from Band members past and present about the humble beginnings of the Band, inspired by the command of Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa to His disciples to form up; through to the flourishment of the Band into five international Bands, under the inspiration of Ved Ratna Acharya Swamishree Maharaj; and humble prayers from the most recent recruits in the Band, to Acharya Swamiji Maharaj, for Him to continue to support and encourage the Band’s development and progress.

The finale to the evening was a rousing fusion performance, especially composed to mark today’s golden anniversary – combining bagpipes, drums and dhols to fill the Mandir with a sound that resonated throughout. For this finale, Acharya Swamiji Maharaj presided on tall throne, above the audience so that they my have His unhindered darshan. He was adorning a magnificent garland, hand made by members of the Band, made from tartan origami flowers, into which the entire Shree Swaminarayan Gadi scripture had been hand scribed by individual Band members.

We were joined by a number of special guests this evening, including Lord Ghadia – visiting the Mandir for the first time – and returning friends of the Mandir, leader of Brent Council, Muhammed Butt, and Harrow and Brent’s GLA representative, Krupesh Hirani.