Tributes to spiritual leader paid in Preston

A special tribute assembly has been held following the death of a spiritual leader.
Mayor of Preston Cllr John Collins speaks at the tribute assembly in honour and celebration of HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj at the BAPS MandirMayor of Preston Cllr John Collins speaks at the tribute assembly in honour and celebration of HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj at the BAPS Mandir
Mayor of Preston Cllr John Collins speaks at the tribute assembly in honour and celebration of HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj at the BAPS Mandir

Dignitaries and devotees gathered at Preston’s BAPS Shree Swaminarayan Mandir for the tribute, in honour of the life of His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj.

The Hindu guru died in August, with many from Preston and the North West travelling to attend the last rites ceremony in India.

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Devotee Kailash Parekh said: “When he passed away it was a big shock and a lot of families from here and across the world went to attend the final rites of the guru.

Mr Amirat from Preston Gujarati Muslim Association speaks at the tribute assembly in honour and celebration of HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj at the BAPS MandirMr Amirat from Preston Gujarati Muslim Association speaks at the tribute assembly in honour and celebration of HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj at the BAPS Mandir
Mr Amirat from Preston Gujarati Muslim Association speaks at the tribute assembly in honour and celebration of HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj at the BAPS Mandir

“For me, this was a tribute assembly for the guru to reflect back on his life and what he’s done in the 95 years.

“All his life he has just given, given, given.

“His motto was ‘in the joy of others lies our own’, and he lived every second of his life by that.”

Tributes were paid by leaders and dignitaries in Preston, with MPs and the Prime Minister also offering their respects nationally.

Mr Amirat from Preston Gujarati Muslim Association speaks at the tribute assembly in honour and celebration of HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj at the BAPS MandirMr Amirat from Preston Gujarati Muslim Association speaks at the tribute assembly in honour and celebration of HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj at the BAPS Mandir
Mr Amirat from Preston Gujarati Muslim Association speaks at the tribute assembly in honour and celebration of HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj at the BAPS Mandir
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There were non-Hindus at the Preston event along with devotees, and among the speakers were the Mayor of Preston Coun John Collins, and city council leader Peter Rankin.

Kailash said the tribute event went very well, and said: “In his life he just gave and gave and it was a nice way of us local devotees to pay that tribute with our community.”

Tributes were paid and presentations were given, and Kailash said: “It showed his life and the work he has done for humanity.”

Following the death of the spiritual leader in India, prayers and respects were offered throughout BAPS mandirs across the world.

Mr Amirat from Preston Gujarati Muslim Association speaks at the tribute assembly in honour and celebration of HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj at the BAPS MandirMr Amirat from Preston Gujarati Muslim Association speaks at the tribute assembly in honour and celebration of HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj at the BAPS Mandir
Mr Amirat from Preston Gujarati Muslim Association speaks at the tribute assembly in honour and celebration of HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj at the BAPS Mandir
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Tens of thousands of devotees and well-wishers from throughout the world made their way to Sarangpur in Gujarat to pay their final respects.

His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj inspired and built the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, London, and founded The Swaminarayan School.