TEMPLES in Brent welcomed a special guest to mark Diwali yesterday.
London Mayor Boris Johnson attended celebrations at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Neasden, the first traditional Hindu temple to open in Europe, and Shri Sanatan Hindu Mandir in Wembley, during the Hindu New Year celebrations.
The Mayor, who also backed the recent 10th anniversary celebrations of Diwali in Trafalgar Square, met with senior figures as well as volunteers at each of the mandirs, which were filled with thousands of visitors throughout the day of his visit on Thursday October 27.
At Neasden Temple Mr Johnson witnessed the Annaku, a mountain of food, which featured a colourful display of more than 1,200 dishes including sweets, savouries, curries, pickles, salads, desserts, soups, and juices.
The Annakut offering at the temple in Neasden has been recognised as one of the largest of its kind in the world.
After a traditional welcome at the temple gates, the Mayor and his delegation went on a brief tour of the stone temple complex.
They were also given an official London 2012 pin badge of the Neasden Temple. The temple has been voted as the Olympic Landmark for Brent.
The Mayor also joined the Head Sadhu of the Mandir, Sadhu Yogvivekdas, and other distinguished guests in performing the ceremonial evening arti ritual.
In his address to the assembly, Mr Johnson said: "I am very very proud and supportive of what you do in this amazing mandir and the incredible things you do for your community and all communities."
A spokesman for the temple said: "The Mayor also praised the spirit of the celebrations in not only joining together in merriment but also helping those less fortunate who are passing through tough times.
"He also urged all present to continue the wonderful things you are already doing and join Team London to build a sense of community which makes London one of the great cities of the world."
Before he left Neasden Temple, Mr Johnson also met some of the 1,200 volunteers involved in the festival celebrations each year.
Mr Johnson said: "As Londoners and people around the world mark Diwali and the start of the Hindu New Year I am delighted to take part in celebrations at these two important mandirs. Diwali is about new beginnings and a commitment to family values and has lessons we can all appreciate, representing joy, love, reflection, resolution, forgiveness, light and knowledge. But these magnificent temples also illustrate the value of community and in particular volunteering, which are at the heart of Team London, my own action plan for volunteering something I hope some of those attending the mandirs will want to get involved in. To Hindus in London and everywhere a happy Diwali have a prosperous and happy New Year."
