Category : 2025

After the birth Of Lord Rama we celebrate Hanuman Jayanti. This year it fell on a Saturday and devotees started coming from early in morning to pay homage to Lord Hanuman-In the evening puja was performed by Yajman Manishbhai Gupta & family. pujan was conducted by our pujari. Whilst devotees sang Hanuman bhajans, Manishbhai & family did all the puja and finally arti was lit and everyone joined. After Arti 11 Hanuman Chalisa paath were sang and Iadoos were distributed to all devotees after Hanuman Chalisa.

108 Hanuman Chalisa Paath, Sunday 13th April 2025

Hanuman Jayanti programme was followed next day with reciting 108 Hanuman Chalisa Paath. Bhojan yajman Pritiben Merai & parivar from Bolton sat in puja at 10.00am to start the day. Hanuman puja was conducted by our pujari. Our main yajman started offering Iadoo to Hanuman dada. To facilitate our very able Harshadbhai Patel also known as Yogi sat through ensuring smooth running of the programme.  Hanuman Chalisa were recited by devotees led by Ishwerbhai to ensure continuity. Hanuman Chalisa programme concluded by 4.30pm with Thal & Arti. Over 200 devotees stayed behind to enjoy the spiritual atmosphere. Once again a big thank you to cooking team, volunteers for all the preperations and tidying up. Jai jai jai Hanuman Gosai, krupa karo gurudev kanahi.


Category : 2025

Ramnavmi 2025

This year Ram Navami was on a Sunday which allowed lots of our members to attend. Sun was shining and in the Temple devotees started arriving by 11 AM. Devotional bhajans were being sung by devotees. Our President Dashrathbhai outlined the programme for the day. Lotti pujan yajman were Dalubhai and Urmilaben Solanki. Our pujari conducted the Lotti Pujan ceremony Whilst devotees continues to sing melodious bhajans. Saryu Jal was then taken into Lord Rama's shrine where yajman Ushaben, kalaben, Shilpaben and Manjuben Nayee conducted the snan Vidhi ceremony. Devotees continued to arrive and join in the programme. Our pujari explained the story of king Dashrath and led up to the birth of Lord Ram where everybody sang praise of Lord Rama. This was followed by Pat Darshan by Yajman Amratbhai & Nilamben Patel. Dhwaja aropan Vidhi was performed by yajman Amratbhai & Ramilaben Limbachia and family. This was followed by Parnu Julavu by Yajman Nehaben Shah & Ashishbhai Gaur. Finally Lord Rama's arti was performed by Nileshbhai, Nilaben Patel & family to conclude the Puja ceremony.

Devotees were then allowed to do darshan of Lord Rama and also have an opportunity to have darshan of Lala in the cradle. Over 400 devotees visited throughout the day. Everyone was offered Prasad which was sponsored by Lalitaben Natvarlal Solanki and family. A big thank you to our cooking team for the preparation of Prasad and of course our team of Volunteers for tidying up after the event. As it was chaitra Navratri our pujari read Chandi path and also performed Mataji arti. On Sunday evening Mataji Arti was performed by Jyotiben & Nimeshbhai Patel & family. Prasad was offered to devotees who were present in the evening. The whole day was filled with spiritual atmosphere. Jai Shree Ram


Category : 2025 , Lord Shiva , Religious

Mahashivratri celebration at Preston mandir. Lord Shiva’s blessings were upon all devotees visiting the mandir. From early in the morning milk and water offering
started followed by arti in the afternoon. 30 devotees participated in Rudrabhishek performed in the main hall by Pujari. Throughout the day hundreds of devotees paid
homage to lord shiva.

In the evening after dynik arti, Kamal arpan ceremony was performed by Yaman Nilam Karia followed by Dwaj aropan by Yajman Nehaben and Ashishbhai gaur. Lord Shiva’s arti was again performed by Yajman Maheshbhai Buran & family after darshan everyone was offered Prasad in the Main hall. Over 700 devotees came throughout the day.

A very special announcement was made by president Dashrathbhai Nayee regarding a Katha by Pujya Rameshbhai Oza to celebrate the society’s 50th anniversary of Lord Krishna and 25th Anniversary of Lord Rama and opening of the new center. The katha is sceduled to start on 23rd August – 29 th August 2025. The members of the society were very excited and have expressed an interest in helping in any way they can. Overall Mahashivratri parv was celebrated with joy and excitement for all members.

For any further information please contactIshwerbhai Tailoron 07801849402


Republic day and the Independence Day of India are very special for the society. As Indians we are proud of our rich culture and also proud to maintain our traditions. We are also indebted to both Abhinandana Kodanda and Dr.Swati Raut for training our girls the classical dances and also encouraging them to take exams to reach high standards. Through both tutors many of girls have become professional dancers and display at programmes arranged around the country.

We were honoured to have the Mayor of Preston,Councillor Phil crowe and Chairman of Lancashire County Council, Councillor Tim Ashton present to witness the programme .Once again our secretary Ashitbhai delegated some of the tasks to his team and did the master of ceremony with Hitenbhai Barber. It was wonderful to see our Balkunj children trained by Tarlikaben displaying their talent. A very big thank you to Abhi our centre manager for bringing the programme together and Ashitbhai and team for all the background work. Long live India. Bharat Mata ki Jai.


Category : 2024 , GHS

Soneri Sangat is a Gujarat Danachar and Asian voice initiative highlighting excellent work carried out by community organisation and Preaton was chosen for its achievement over the 50 years learn about the history of GHS.


Category : 2024 , Holi

It’s a Holi lot of fun!

Spring is here and in the Hindu calendar, this marks the beautiful festival of Holi!

Holi, otherwise known as the ‘festival of colours’  definitely doesn’t go unnoticed. In India, with the streets full to the brim of joyous laughter, strangers throwing powdered colours (Gulaal) at each other and wishing every person you meet a ‘Happy Holi!’, we’re certainly missing out in the UK.

The festival is to celebrate the eternal and divine love of the deities Radha and Krishna. Additionally, the day signifies the triumph of good over evil, as it commemorates the victory of Vishnu as Narasimha over Hiranyakashipu. The day before Holi is used to commemorate Holika, the sister of Hiranyakashipu who believed her powers could overcome her nephew Prahlad’s godly manifestation of Lord Vishnu. A large bonfire is lit with religious prayers and songs to observe this festival.

Here in the UK, the Gujarat Hindu Society and Cuerden Valley Park (a local nature reserve in Preston) teamed up to welcome spring and the festival of Holi by holding a Holi Colour Run…. with a twist! Colour runs have been done before and are a huge celebration in the Hindu faith and Indian culture, however, the unique part of this one is the promotion of the environment. Cuerden Valley Park grows wildflower meadows to keep the nature reserve alive for the animals that reside there and a part of this colour run will involve throwing some community made ‘seed bombs’ to promote growth.

Held on 10th March 2024 at Cuerden Valley Park, the day was filled with ethnic food, crafts, music, cultural dance with a vibrant community feel. Around 250 participants took part in the colour run with volunteers from the GHS dutifully throwing colours at various stations as the runners came past. The run was complimented by BBC Radio Lancashire who were on hand  interviewing runners and organisers with a live feed. Music was on hand by the wonderful Desi by Nature, temple cooked fresh food by our volunteers at the temple, talented henna artists, crafts by ArteeCrafts and classical dancers from the Abhinandana Dance Academy were on hand for a fun-filled day!

Proceeds from the event went to the Cuerden Park Nature Reserve and to the Gujarat Hindu Society charity. The feedback from participants and spectators were overwhelmingly positive with gratitude for learning about Holi, being able to participate in a unique event like this in Lancashire and meeting the wider community in Preston. We hope to hold another event next year, stay tuned!

Image gallery

Video Gallery

External posts


Category : Religious

What is Gita Jayanti?

In present days, the word “jayanti” is loosely used for someone’s birthday. However, this word is not meant for mortal beings. What most people don’t know about Gita jayanti is, when Lord Krishna spoke the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna, it was not the first time that He spoke it. Gita jayanti is not the birthday of Bhagavad Gita. It is the day when Bhagavad Gita was spoken the first time on this planet during this particular yuga cycle.

The most auspicious constellation of stars takes place during the
the appearance of the Lord in this material world, and it is specifically
called Jayanti, a word not to be abused for any other purposes.

>> Ref. VedaBase => SB 1.12.12

 

The traditional significance:

The first is the traditional and religious context of this day. It is believed, that on the Vaikunta Ekadashi day, which falls once in a year in the month of Margashirsha (called Margazhi masam in Tamil), in the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Lord Krishna delivered the sermon called the Bhagavad Gita, the Song of God, to Arjuna. On this Vaikunta Ekadashi day, people undertake an important fast and worship Lord Vishnu. The Bhagavad Gita was born on the Vaikuntha Ekadashi day – that is the religious significance of the day.

The Gita as the manual for life:

Now let us try to look at the significance of the day from the perspective of everyday life. If you look at the Bhagavad Gita as a body of knowledge, it has a lot of insights to address the multitudinous problems and challenges that a human being faces in his life. And if you look at it from the context of the Mahabharata, there is this very well-prepared, extraordinarily capable, highly intelligent person by name Arjuna, who is facing the most difficult situation in his lifetime. He is losing his self-confidence and in that hour of crisis, the knowledge of the Gita is imparted to him by the Lord Himself. So in that way, the Gita has a very direct implication as a manual to face challenges and crises of life. These challenges and crises were not just unique to Arjuna, but are being faced by any human being in his lifetime. Therefore, the relevance is not lost just because the Gita is old. It is relevant even today because if you take a couple of shlokas from the Gita, you will see that all the gems of wisdom, that are needed by a person to live his life happily and successfully, are contained in it. There are a lot of important insights and pointers in the Gita, that address various aspects of life, such as – why it is important to be emotionally intelligent, why it is important not to lose one’s patience, what happens if one does not practice what is called delayed gratification, in modern terminology. Now a lot of people are talking about delayed gratification. What is meant by delayed gratification? All of us are human beings with sense organs and there are many sensory pleasures around. It is being found that individuals who are able to withhold themselves and delay the gratification of sensual pleasures seem to do well in their life. This was found through research by modern psychologists. Even management studies have found that great leaders practice this quality of delayed gratification. So why it this important? Why one should not get carried away by sensory pleasures and what happens if one indulges himself solely in the enjoyment of sensual pleasures? To all these, the Gita provides answers and powerful remedial actions to enrich one’s experience of life. The Gita is very powerful, as one can get a lot of insights for using them in day-to-day living situations.

Rituals of the Festival:

1) Lord Krishna temples celebrate this day with lots of enthusiasm and energy, pujas are performed with special prayers on Gita Jayanti.
2) Devotees from all over India and the world visit Kurukshetra on Gita Jayanti day, they take a holy bath in sacred ponds.
3) Other than the holy bath, Lord Krishna is worshipped with aarti at the end of Gita Jayanti.
4) As Gita Jayanti is celebrated on Ekadashi, devotees are required to fast on this day and do not consume grains like rice, wheat, and barley, from sunrise till sunset.
5) Also, during Gita Jayanti, organized celebrations are carried out, wherein the value of Dharma is taught to the youth through the explanation of Gita

 

Gita, The Crux Of Indian Spiritual Wisdom:

However, it is said that the Vedas are vast and not very direct in the import of their message. Several scholars believe that Bhagavad Gita is the crux of Vedic wisdom and the summary of Indian Spiritual Knowledge. In fact, Bhagavad Gita contains an ocean of wisdom, which has influenced Indian tradition for the last several millennia. Thus, reading Gita is like knowing a lot about Indian spiritual and philosophical wisdom

Bhagavad Gita – How to align with the present moment?

When we accept the present moment for what it is, without labeling it as, “Yech! This is bad”, “this is terrible” and so on, it helps us settle down within ourselves and be at ease. This is a very important and beautiful insight because of what it is the only reality. The past and the future is not real. It is only the present that is real. If we are able to accept that, then we have lived that moment completely. That is why it gives us a sense of being able to feel at ease. That is the deeper truth behind it because what is, is only the now. Now is the only Reality. The past and the future is not real, because even if we are talking or thinking about the past or the future, it is only in the now, therefore that is the beauty of that Reality. So, if we are able to be completely available to now, it gives us a lot of strength, it gives us a lot of inner space, which keeps us calm and composed. In another deeper sense, when there is alignment with the moment, the “me” the fictitious entity, the self can never operate. It can never operate in the now. And therefore, the Cosmic Intelligence can operate, so to put it very colloquially,” you” shut up for That to act. That is why we see people who have understood and who are living this Truth, they are all the time able to remain very peaceful. Even in the face of the so-called crisis, they are very composed, because they know that this little ego can’t really respond to the challenge, and that allows the Higher Intelligence to operate through the body and mind complex. And that is why their response, and not reaction, to the situation, is very different from the normal people. This insight is very important, it is something very powerful and fantastic. I would say that it is the greatest and most precious gift that a person can have.

How we celebrate Geeta Jayanti at the Gujrat Hindu Society?

We celebrate Gita Jayanti every year and this year we have religious programs scheduled on 07th December. The program will start at 7 PM with Aarti followed by Bhajan and prasad.

All are invited to be a part of this celebration. Please encourage your children to be part of the celebration. Jay Shree Krishna. May lord Krishna bless you.


Holi is a colorful and most fun-filled festival which is celebrated in the month of March, usually in the latter half of the month. It is a festival, with dancing, singing, and throwing of powder paint and colored water.

Numerous legends and stories associated with Holi celebration makes the festival more exuberant and vivid. The most popular one is related to the killing of Holika. The story centers around an arrogant king who wanted everyone in his kingdom to worship him. But his son Prahlad refused and worshipped Lord Vishnu instead. He attempts to kill his son but fails each time. Finally, the king’s sister Holika who is said to be immune to burning, sits with the boy in a huge fire. However, the prince Prahlada emerges unscathed, while his aunt burns to death. Holi commemorates this event from mythology, and huge bonfires are burnt on the eve of Holi as its symbolic representation.

Great excitement can be seen in people on the next day when it is actually the time for the play of colours. People get all the time to get crazy and whacky. Bright colours of gulal and abeer fill the air and people take turns in pouring colour water over each other. Children take special delight in spraying colours on one another with their pichkaris and throwing water balloons. Women and senior citizen form groups called tolis and move in colonies – applying colours and exchanging greetings. Songs, dance on the rhythm of dholak and mouthwatering Holi delicacies are the other highlights of the day. Parties are often organized where people dance to music and greet each other with colors.

 

The festival signifies the victory of good over evil, the arrival of spring, end of winter, and for many a festive day to meet others, play and laugh, forget and forgive, and repair ruptured relationships.

Some families hold religious ceremonies, but for many Holi is more a time for fun than religious observance. After a fun filled and exciting day, they spent the evening in sobriety when people meet friends and relatives and exchange sweets and festive greetings.

Holi festival may be celebrated with various names and people of different states might be following different traditions. But, what makes Holi so unique and special is the spirit of it which remains the same throughout the country and even across the globe, wherever it is celebrated.

 


Navratri is one of the most auspicious Hindu festivals. Navratri means “Nine Nights”, and celebration of Goddess Durga in her nine different forms on the scheduled nine days. The Navratri festival celebration is very colourful. People keep fast for these 9 days and enjoy with full enthusiasm.

Navdurga which means Nine Durga is the manifestation of Durga in nine different forms. The concept of Navdurga originates from Goddess Parvati. Conceptually Navdurga is the life phase of Goddess Parvati who is considered supreme power among all Goddesses. Navdurga are worshipped during all Four Navrati in the year.

List of Navdurga

  1. Devi Siddhidatri – In the beginning of the universe Lord Rudra worshipped Adi-Parashakti for creation. It is believed that Goddess Adi-Parashakti had no form. The supreme Goddess of Power, Adi-Parashakti, appeared in the form of Siddhidatri from the left half of Lord Shiva.

 

  1. Devi Kushmanda – After taking form of Siddhidatri, Goddess Parvati started living inside the center of the Sun so that He can liberate energy to the universe. Since then Goddess is known as Kushmanda. Kushmanda is the Goddess who has the power and capability to live inside the Sun. The glow and radiance of her body is as luminous as that of the Sun.

 

  1. Devi Brahmacharini – After Kushmanda form, Goddess Parvati took birth at the home of Daksha Prajapati. In this form the Goddess Parvati was a great Sati and her unmarried form is worshipped as Goddess Brahmacharini.

 

  1. Devi Shailputri – After the self-immolation as Goddess Sati, Goddess Parvati took birth as the daughter of Lord Himalaya. In Sanskrit Shail means the mountain and due to which Goddess was known as Shailputri, the daughter of the mountain.

 

  1. Devi Mahagauri – According to Hindu mythologies, the Goddess Shailputri at the age of sixteen was extremely beautiful and was blessed with fair complexion. Due to her extreme fair complexion she was known as Goddess Mahagauri.

 

  1. Devi Chandraghanta – Goddess Chandraghanta is the married form the Goddess Parvati. After getting married to Lord Shiva Goddess Mahagauri started adorning her forehead with half Chandra and due to which Goddess Parvati was known as Goddess Chandraghanta.

 

  1. Devi Skandamata – When Goddess became the mother of Lord Skanda (also known as Lord Kartikeya), Mata Parvati was known with the name of Goddess Skandamata.

 

  1. Devi Katyayani – To destroy demon Mahishasura, Goddess Parvati took the form of Goddess Katyayani. It was the most violent form of Goddess Parvati. In this form Goddess Parvati is also known as Warrior Goddess.

 

  1. Devi Kalaratri – When the Goddess Parvati removed outer golden skin to kill demons named Shumbha and Nishumbha, She was known as Goddess Kalaratri. Kalaratri is the fiercest and the most ferocious form of Goddess Parvati.

 

People follow different traditional norms and rituals during these auspicious 9 days to get the blessings of Goddess Durga. You would never want to miss even a single chance to be part of this auspicious and colourful festival. Here, in this article we are sharing the different colours and dress you can wear during the nine days to enjoy the spirit of the Navratri festival celebration.

 

 


Category : Religious

The Gujarat Hindu Society in Preston hosted a Raksha Bandhan event in partnership with the Armed Forces Hindu Network.

The traditional ceremony marks the tying of a thread between brother and sister signifying a bond between them. The mayor of Preston Councillor Trevor Hart was in attendance alongside invited guests from across the region.

There was also a preparation by the Armed Force o how they have embraced cultural values amongst different ethnic minorities with the UK.

Raksha Bandhan, also abbreviated to Rakhi is the Hindu festival that celebrates brotherhood and love. It is celebrated on the full moon in the month of Sravana in the lunar calendar.

The celebration of friendship article is also published in the Asian Image newspaper. Refer the snapshot of the newspaper.