Watch webcasts from Luton’s BAPS Hindu temple live every weekend

Gatherings at the Mandir (Hindu temple) have been suspended since March 5, 2020.

As the global community works hard to tackle and ultimately overcome this crisis, the BAPS Hindu fellowship in Luton remains committed to fulfilling the spiritual needs of people in the local community, recognising that such challenging times call for innovative ways of meeting those needs.

Weekly religious assemblies for children, teens and adults are now being webcast live every weekend to ensure all generations continue to benefit from spiritual wisdom.

Darshan of the murtis at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, London – popularly known as the Neasden Temple – is available every morning from the Mandir’s website, while the arti ceremony (ritual waving of lighted wicks before the deities) is also available to view each evening through a live web stream.

Online resources are already provided to families encouraging them to conduct assemblies in their homes which help to foster family unity and spiritual understanding. Other online platforms and tools are being employed to allow devotees to receive regular updates and important guidance on how to stay safe and stable.

His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, the current spiritual leader of BAPS, has also issued a call to all volunteers to act upon their dharma (duty) in this time of need. BAPS has mobilised hundreds of volunteers in more than 30 areas around the UK to help support the elderly and needy in local communities, including Luton.

Volunteers have been assisting with food deliveries, collecting medication and shopping, running essential errands, as well as providing comfort and solace at a time when self-isolation for the vulnerable can be especially agonising. BAPS has also produced key health awareness resources in English and Gujarati to educate the public.

Seeing the powerful result of “when technology and faith unite”, Manoj Ladwa, founder and CEO of India Inc, tweeted: “Participated in evening arti @NeasdenTemple via live video link. Felt like we were physically present. Such is the strength of technology, such is the strength of faith. Together we can meet any challenge!”