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| In
Sanathan Dharma (Hinduism), the belief is Monotheism where there
is one Supreme God who pervades everywhere in all the universes.
He is worshipped by different names and different forms. |
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| Hinduism
is the dominant religion of India, where over 85% of the population
follow it. This religion is eternal and currently we are in our
last era called Kaliyuga. This era continues for 432,000 years where
we are approximately 5,500 years into. In whole there are 4 eras
which total a lifetime of our universe, at the end of this the universe
ends and the process of creating a new universe begins by Lord Swaminarayan
himself. While everything ends the religions still lives on hence
why it is called Sanathan Dharma meaning eternal religion. In Hinduism,
there is only one Supreme God and within our Swaminarayan Sampraday
(faith) we believe Lord Shri Swaminarayan is the Supreme Lord and
He is the source of all the creations in this universe and other
millions of universes. |
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| He comes
to the earth for the salvation of his devotees, to re-establish
religious ways and to rid the earth of evilness. He comes to earth
in His many different forms (Avtars). These forms are known as His
incarnations like Krishna Bhagwan, Ram Bhagwan, Buddha Bhagwan,
Matsya Bhagwan, etc. Stated already in our Hindu scriptures there
is going to be one principle incarnation in about 400,000 year’s
time born to a Hindu Brahmin family in India. |
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| For
organising, managing and maintaining His creations, there are many
Demi Gods who serve God by performing their individual duties (Creation).
These are Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Parvati, Hanumanji, Ganapatiji,
Saraswati, Suryanarayan, etc. Brahma looks after the creation, Vishnu
preserves, Shiva destroys, Suryanarayan is the Sun God, Ganapatiji
is the destroyer of bad luck/obstacles, etc. |
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Our Belief
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| In
Sanathan Dharma, we believe that God Supreme (Swaminarayan Bhagwan)
is as eternal as the soul which dwells in all-living things. We
originate as his devotees but due to our desire for material things
in this material world, we have lost our way. We are trying to achieve
permanent happiness in this temporary life and world. |
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| There
are a total of 8.4 million different types of bodies that a soul
will go through before being born as a human, which is considered
to be the highest form. It is in this human form that one can achieve
salvation through devotion of Swaminarayan Bhagwan and be liberated
from the cycle of birth and death based on his karma (actions). |
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| Our
Practice
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| In
principal Hindus believe in the main FIVE fundamental commandments
that are listed below: |
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| 1.
All Hindus believe in non-killing (Ahimsa). We do not eat any kind
of meat, eggs or any of their by-products. |
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| 2.
Drinking and even touching alcohol is prohibited. |
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| 3.
Not to steal anything even though the intentions may be to offer
it to God. |
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Not to commit adultery of any form. |
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Not to force anyone else to eat something that they wouldn’t
normally consume leading them to believe it is ok to eat it. |
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| We
pray to Swaminarayan Bhagwan 5 times during the day (Mansi pooja-
mental worshipping) of which one is done whilst doing pooja in the
morning after waking up and taking bath. The others are at lunchtime,
teatime, dinner time and the last is at bedtime |
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| We
have murtis (idols) of Swaminarayan Bhagwan in an altar in our home
where Pooja, food offerings and prayers are offered by the family
daily. We also have murtis of other Gods such as Krishna, Hanuman
and Ganapati and offer our worship to them also. We are encouraged
to go to temple daily. |
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| Our
place of worship is called a Mandir (Temple). Aarti and prayers
are done twice daily after which religious discourses are delivered
and then all are offered prashad (food that has been sanctified
by offering to God first). Many different varieties of offerings
are made to Swaminarayan Bhagwan five times daily. |
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| The
worship of Bhagwan in the Mandir is done by a Pujari (priest). The
male saints are known as Sadhus (saints) and female nuns are known
as Sankhaya yogis. All fellow devotees are known as Satsangis. |
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| Holidays
/ Festivals
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| Diwali |
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| This
festival occurs for over 4 days starting with Dhantheras (where
poojan is traditionally done of one’s accounts to bless us
financially for the forthcoming year), then Kali Chaudas where prayers
are offered to Hanumanji (a demi God, the favoured servant of Lord
Rama) then Diwali when Bhagwan Ram came back after 14 years of pilgrimage
an on His return people welcomed Him with lit candles and divas.
The last day is Goverdhan.pooja, which sometimes coincide with Hindu
New Year. On this day 1000’s of food offerings are made to
God Supreme Swaminarayan Bhagwan. |
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| Ramnavmi |
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| (March/April)
on this day, we celebrate the birth of Bhagwan Shree Swaminarayan
in the evening and Ram Bhagwan at midday. In the evening many different
types of food offerings are made. Celebrations are carried out with
great festivity, with musical instruments, the chanting of Lords
name and people dancing. |
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| Shikshapatri
Jayanti |
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| (Jan/Feb)
On this day Swaminarayan Bhagwan wrote the Shikshapatri (A compilation
of 212 verses which teaches the way to live a life for all). On
this day we do pooja of Shikshapatri and different types of festivities
occur. It is also a festival of welcoming spring, which is called
Vasant Panchami. |
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| Janmashtami
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| (July/August)
On this day we celebrate the birth of Bhagwan Shree Krishna at midnight.
In the evening different types of food offerings are made. We again
celebrate the event with great joy with chanting of Lord’s
name and dancing, etc. |
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| Maha
Shivratri |
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| (Feb/March)
This day commemorates Lord Shiva’s birthday. This event is
carried out with poojan of a Shiva Ling (a stone in the form of
Lord Shiva) where we bathe him in milk, water, flowers and offer
Bilva leaves. |
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| ACTIVITIES
IN OUR TEMPLE
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| We
have special religious classes for all age groups in English on
Sunday’s and Wednesday’s. In these classes interactive
discussions are held and readings from our scriptures are explained
in detail to give a better understanding of our faith. These teachings
are delivered for three different age levels as follows, |
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Nursery
3- 7 years
Upper nursery 7-10 year
For college and University students 15 +
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On
Thursdays we hold religious classes for adults who feel that they
may have missed out in
Religion and where they can obtain a deeper and better understanding
about our Sanatan Dharma. |
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On
Mondays, we hold classes to learn Tabla, Dhol and Harmonium. Classes are taught for all levels of playing abilities, regardless of whether a beginner or advanced. |
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On
Tuesdays we undertake sports activities with sports ranging from football to tennis.
The Temple organises various camps and small three day and one
day religious seminars / debates etc. Details of these are published
on our website and leaflets can be picked up from the Temple.
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| Contact
Us
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| Shree Swaminarayan Temple Stanmore is one of six temples in London and eleven in
the UK. We are situated approximately 10 minutes walk from Stanmore Tube Station and are easily accessible by bus number 142. |
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| For
more information or for any queries you may have please feel free
to contact us |
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