On Sunday 31st July London hosted the Maher 2011 Cricket tournament, with members of the Maher community coming from across the country to take part. Unlike previous tournaments where the teams were met by rain and cold, this time they were greeted with sunshine and three pitched for a day full of cricket. Adults and youths alike had a great day as mentioned by Mitesh Karavadra “the cricket tournament was a great day and also a great success, as not only did everyone have a great time, but it was a perfect opportunity for all members of the Maher Community to meet and mingle with one another, especially those that had travelled from towns and cities across the UK to take part in this festive day”
With India’s win in the Cricket World Cup, it seems that Cricket is the sport that all Indians want to play, this enthusiasm for the sport was emphasised by Leicester who not only had one team or two but FIVE! But though these teams showed the competitive side of the sport with each team determined to win, the fun side of cricket was shown by the Loughborough and London teams. What they lacked on the pitch they more than made up for during the day through there sportsmanship, support and good natured laughter that kept us few onlookers entertained.
It was like any other Maher tournaments filled with competition, controversies and commitment. Though all teams played their best it was Leicester against Leicester in the finals. Due to unscheduled breaks, lack of co-operation and games going over the allotted time the final wasn’t played which would have made this a great tournament. However Leicester were the winners resulting in them taking home the shield yet again but his time as joint winners.
Though the debate of “virtual cricket” was continued the adults played a series of games, however there were no under 16s teams which put a damper on the festivities. Hopefully next year there will be more of a verity of teams in terms of where they are from as well as age. And though this is repeated every time we are once again hopeful that more members from the hosting town come out to not only support the teams but socialise with one another, an opportunity that these tournaments give us.
The Maher community has a rich heritage originating from the Saurashttra region of Kathiawar peninsula,Gujarat, India.Here in the West (UK) much work has been done and is on going to facilitate social and cultural needs for the younger generation in respect of the environment they thrive in.The community has strong connections with its counterparts in India; maintaining traditional values and customs.
The Leicester Maher Community Association (LMCA)
The Leicester Maher Community Association (LMCA) is a registered charity working closely with its community members in the United Kingdom, USA, Europe, and Asia to promote religious, cultural, social, and educational matters within the Maher community. Please find below a list of the existing committee members:
Position
Full Name
Responsibilities
Trustees
Nathubhai Avka Gorania (Managing)
Oversee the LMCA charitable status
Dr Bhimabhai Arjan Odedra
Mr Jivabhai Lakha Odedra
Mr Jivabhai Khima Ranavaya
President
Mr Lakhansibhai Modhwadia
Lead the LMCA committee
Vice
Mr Rajshibhai Modhwadia
Secretary
Mr Nagajanbhai Bapodra
Oversee the running of the LMCA / daily running of the centre / meetings etc
Vice
Mr Dilipbhai Karavadra
Treasurer
Mr Sudhirbhai Odedra
Oversee the accounts of the LMCA
Vice
Mr Dilipbhai Keshwala
Members
Mr Maheshbhai Odedra
Working committee members who are regular attendees at committee meetings and have an input in the decision making process. These committee members also lead innovation projects affecting the wider community e.g. Pratapbhai, Hiteshbhai, Dilipbhai Keshwala are leading the ‘dandia’ groups.
Mr Pratapbhai Lakha Odedra
Mr Pratapbhai K Odedra
Mr Hiteshbhai Godhania
Mr Lakhubhai Godhania
Mr Rambhai Godhania
Mr Mandanbhai Modhwadia
Voluntary Contribution
Mr Jethabhai Karavadra
Committee members who contribute mostly during festivities e.g. Navratri, Sharad Purnima, and Diwali.
Mr Sureshjibhai Odedra
Mr Pratapbhai Jethwa
Mr Rambhai Tukadia
Mr Rajubhai Gorania
Mr Hamirbhai Odedra
Mr Laxmanbhai V Odedra
Directors Input
Mr Rajeshbhai Odedra (Managing)
Directors of the Maher LTD Company/Maher Holdings which owns the Maher Centre building. They oversee the lease of the centre to LMCA.
Mr Nagajanbhai Bapodra – Leicester
Mr Nathabhai Odedra – Leicester
Mr Bhurabhai Modhwadia – Leicester
Mr Keshubhai Maher – Birmingham
Mr Nageshbhai Odedra – Birmingham
Mahila Mandal
Mrs Tamuben Sida (Chair)
Group of ladies who make immense contribution to the community by organising events and activities promoting cultural/social values
Mrs Bhanuben Sida
Mrs Deviben Khunti
Mrs Pushpaben Odedra
Other points: Paid Employees/Contractors: Vivekbhai Khistariya (Premises Manager), Rambhai Modhwadia (Cleaning/Setup) Bhikubhai Kotecha of ‘Sterling Accountants’ is LMCA accountant. Mahers in other cities and towns also have very similar committee set up under the ‘U.K. Maher Samaj’ (body/committee) umbrella who’s current president is Mr Keshubhai Maher (Odedra).
The Association is further responsible for the day to day running and management of the Maher Centre. The centre; first of its kind in UK for our Community was opened in the Aug 1996, with a grand ceremony that attracted thousands of people from all parts of the world. To date, the Centre has hosted countless number of social, cultural, charitable, religious, and commercial events for not only the Maher community, but further for the wider community.
Regeneration Project
Our community centre has now completed the first phase of the major refurbishment since it was opened. The regenerated building now has state of the art facilities for weddings, parties, exhibitions and all major events, including social and cultural events. In the second phase, a separate Sports Hall will extend the facilities offered to the wider community. The Maher Centre is no doubt first choice in comparison to its competitors within the market. The competitive rates, facilities, large car park, and well rated customer service has attracted clients from all over the country and continues to do so.
With pressures of time and the environment we thrive in; transformation certainly plays a vital role in preserving our rich heritage and culture. Materialistic factors such as the community centre itself have and will continue being a major part of our Samaj here in the West. Months of dedication from several community members have today shaped our community centre into a state of the art building that will meet various conference and banqueting needs, whilst continuing to be a cultural hub for our Samaj. We now need to ensure various strategies are in place in order to make the centre sustainable for future generations.
Please call our centre or log onto www.mahercentre.com for information and enquiries relating to new booking procedures and check availability. The booking officer can work with you to customise and tailor your event to your needs.
In what form does leadership exist in our community?
Leadership has been described as the “process of social influence in which one person can enlist the aid and support of others in the accomplishment of a common task“. Definitions inclusive of nature of leadership have also emerged. Alan Keith of Genentech states that, “Leadership is ultimately about creating a way for people to contribute to making something extraordinary happen.” According to Ken “SKC” Ogbonnia, “effective leadership is the ability to successfully integrate and maximize available resources within the internal and external environment for the attainment of organizational or societal goals.”
On Saturday the 2nd of July 2011, an opening event was hosted by the Leicester Maher Community Association to showcase the refurbished building. In my 6 years experience of volunteering with our community, I was positively amazed at the level of leadership shown by various individuals in many different ways before and during the opening event itself. The builders came and did their job, but it was the Maher youths who dedicated months of time and hard work to ensure the premises was in top condition ready for our elders to come and appreciate the investment. From gardening, to scrubbing the floor, to sorting old clutter, to finishing off paint jobs, to cleaning the community centre all contributed to having the place ready for the opening.
Who are the leaders?
The opening event itself created a platform for many dedicated individuals who worked behind the scenes to make what some of our elders called a dream and an ambition. The board members of the regeneration project were Dr Bhimabhai Odedra, Keshubhai Odedra, and Bhojabhai Karavadra. The project itself was managed by Rajeshbhai Odedra and Ajaybhai Modhwadia, whilst Nagajanbhai Bapodra coordinated the project. Months of dedication through ‘Tun, Mun, Dhun’ certainly ensured an efficient delivery of the project meeting the needs to today’s youth.
Who are the leaders?
It was certainly pleasing to hear various individuals speak during the opening with some interesting key messages encouraging young people to preserve and build on our community spirit. A historical overview was delivered by Jiwabhai Odedra (Trustee of LMCA) who touched base with the migration of Mahers from India and Africa to their present settlement here in the West. Dr Virambhai Godhania (President of Maher Supreme Council) congratulated the team overseeing the project and reflected on the importance of education. Lakhansibhai Modhwadia (President of LMCA) delivered a humble speech about the hard works and efforts put in the prese
rvation of our culture here in the West by various elders in the last 40 years and paid homage to some of them whom are sadly no longer with us. Parbatbhai Sundavadra (Loughborough Mahers) was honoured for his teachings and gave his blessings for all future projects. Bhojabhai Karavadra (Treasurer to UK Maher Samaj) spoke respectively about the efforts towards the project. Pratapbhai Odedra (Executive Member of LMCA) pointed out various strategies that were needed to promote our culture and traditions symbolic to our culture such as ‘Dandia Raas.’
Who are the leaders?
Throughout this section, you have read the question asking who the leaders are. In my observation, a natural distribution of leadership exists within our community. Yes a ‘Management Structure’ is important within any society, group, organisation, establishment etc but leadership can take shape in many different forms. Each and every individual has the potential to lead and show themselves to be at their best; whether this is through contribution within the community they thrive in or encouraging others to do their best. During the renovation of our community centre, there were several members of our community who demonstrated leadership and this made the project a success story.
Communication
I would like to convey congratulations and a say a huge thank you to the efforts of Maher Supreme Council towards our community magazine ‘Sukalp,’ which we have been enjoying for several years. I urge our UK counterparts to ensure their contact details are updated at the centre to ensure you receive a quarterly edition of the ‘Sukalp’. Please note, you are not having to pay for this magazine as the Leicester Maher Community Association makes the payments for every single UK copy and has been doing so since its first inroduction. On this note, I sincerely look forward to collating interesting articles on behalf of UK – ready for forthcoming editions. If you wish to include details of a success story within our community, please do send it across to info@mahercentre.com
Cultural Celebrations
Whilst the summer is appreciated by residents in the UK; autumn is just as favourable bringing with it celebratory events. This year, LMCA have organised various renowned artists to perform at the annual festivities. Details of it are as follows:
Event
Date
Type
1
Mixed Dandia-Raas
Saturday 24th September
Open to all (Ticketed)
2
Navratri
Wednesday 28th September – Thursday 6th September
Mahers only (Free)
3
Sharad Purnima
Saturday 15th October
Open to all (Ticketed)
4
Lok Dairo
Saturday 22nd October 2011
Open to all (Ticketed)
5
Diwali Gathering
Saturday 29th October
Mahers only (Free)
A celebration is only a celebration when there are people to celebrate it with. Without your support and encouragement, praise and criticism, it becomes difficult for volunteers to organise future events and/or have the motivation. We would like to sincerely request our community members to show your support by attending the above detailed events. On this note, the Diwali Gathering is open to all Mahers here and abroad to celebrate the re-launch of our centre and its facilities. It will also be an opportunity for individual committees to organise and deliver performances by young people within their local associations and catchment area. Further details will be available on our community website www.maheronline.org and on our centre website www.mahercentre.com
Membership
Without the financial support of many, our community centre in Leicester would not have been a reality. This is a request to all community brothers and sisters who have not yet purchased the available membership to become shareholders. The membership will bring with it benefits of booking our centre at discounted rates and community events being free to attend. On this subject, please note membership could possibly become restricted in the future. Please find details of the process of becoming a member:
£300 per person to become a shareholder; 10 shares at £30 each
£150 for pensioners
Shares can be bought by any Mahers over the age of 18
Anyone interested is requested to provide 2 forms of identification (passport and utility bill)
Should you wish to find out more information, please contact our community centre through post, telephone, or email; leaving your full name and contact details.
Final Thought
Should you wish to enquire about anything in relation to the Maher Centre and/or any of the events being hosted at the centre, please do so using the following contact methods:
As a reminder, Jayubhai Odedra has made immense contribution in updating the UK Maher Contact Directory, which will be published in due course. This will be available to purchase from local associations as well as the Maher Centre. There is a limited number in print and it is advised for you to place your orders as soon as.
On this note, please do visit our community website www.maheronline.org for latest information about our community events and activities. Should you wish to write an article for either the website or ‘Sukalp’ please do send it across to info@mahercentre.com .We look forward to your company over the next few celebratory months.
Thank you
Dilip Rambhai Karavadra
On behalf of the Leicester Maher Community Association
આપણી જ્ઞાતિમાં શુરવીરતા, દાતારી, ખુમારી, હિમતવાન, નિડરતા, સુંદરતા જેવા કેટલાય ગુણો છે. અને કોઈ વસ્તુંની કમી નથી માત્ર એક જ વસ્તુની કમી છે. અને તે એટલે સહન શકિત ભાઈચારો, પણ હવે ઘણું પરિવર્તન ગયું છે. આપણા યુવા પેઢીમાં શિક્ષણક્ષેત્રે ઘણા સુધારા જોવા મળે છે. આજથી ર૦ વર્ષ પહેલાની વાત કરૂ તો દરેક જુવાનના હાથમાં કુંડલીવાળી લાકડી કે કુહાડી હોય પણ આજના યુવાન ભાઈઓ નીકળે છે. ત્યારે હાથમાં બોલપેન અને ચોપડાઓ જોવા મળે છે. જે આપણી જ્ઞાતિ માટે આનંદની વાત કહેવાય.
આપણા વડવાઓ જ દાતાર છે. એવું નથી આજે ર૧મી સદીમાં માણસ જયારે પૈસા પાછળ ગાંડો બની ગયેલ ત્યારે ૧ કરોડ જેવી માતબર રકમની કિંમતી જમીનનું દાન ગાય માતા માટે આપવું એ કાંઈ સામાન્ય વાત નથી.
આ વાત છે. કુતિયાણા તાલુકાના કોટડાના અને હાલ કચ્છના ભચાઉ તાલુકાના કકરવા ગામને પોતાની કર્મભૂમિ બનાવનાર દાતાશ્રી રામભાઈ ખુંટીની, રામભાઈએ કચ્છમાં રહીને મેર સમાજનું અનેરૂ ગૌરવ અપાવ્યું છે. જેણે કચ્છ ખાતે પોતાની વાડી ગૌ સેવા સમિતીને દાન આપી છે. અને આ વાડીની કિંમત ૧ કરોડ થાય છે. નિતી એજ ધર્મમાં માનનાર અને આવી ર્ધામક વૃતિ ધરાવતા રામભાઈ દરરોજ પ૦ થી ૬૦ કિલો પંખીને ચણ, ગાયોને લીલો ચારો નાખે છે. તેમજ જગલમાં અવેડા બનાવી જાતે ટેકટર લઈ તેમાં પાણી નાખી અનેરી સેવાઓ પણ આપે છે. અને પૂણ્યનું ભાથુ બાંધે છે. ભોજન કરો અને કરાવો તે તેમનો જીવન મંત્ર છે.
તાજેતરમાં જ રામભાઈએ પોતાની દાનમાં આપેલ અને ગૌસેવાના લાભાર્થે સંતવાણીનું પણ ભવ્ય આયોજન કરેલ હતું આમ અનોખી સેવા કરનાર રામભાઈને મહેર સમાજમાંથી ઠેર ઠેર શુભેચ્છાઓ મળી રહી છે. ત્યારે મહેર એકતા અખબાર પણ તેમને ખુબ ખુબ અભિનંદન આપે છે.
Lalbaugh na raja – Ganpati Bapa
Ganesh Chaturthi, the great Ganesh festival, also known as ‘Vinayak Chaturthi’ or ‘Vinayaka Chavithi’ is celebrated by around the world as the birthday of Lord Ganesh.
Shree Ganesh, the son of Shiva and Parvati, who bestow his presence on earth for all his devotees in the duration of this festival. Shree Ganesh who is the god of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune.
It is observed during the Hindu month of Bhadra (mid-August to mid-September) and the grandest and most elaborate of them, especially in the western India state of Maharashtra, lasts for 10 days, ending on the day of ‘Ananta Chaturdashi’.
The Grand Celebration
A life-like clay model of Lord Ganesha is made 2-3 months prior to the day of Ganesh Chaturthi. The size of this idol may vary from 3/4th of an inch to over 25 feet.
On the day of the festival, it is placed on raised platforms in homes or in elaborately decorated outdoor tents for people to view and pay their homage. The priest, usually clad in red silk dhoti and shawl, then invokes life into the idol amidst the chanting of mantras. This ritual is called ‘pranapratishhtha’. After this the ‘shhodashopachara’ (16 ways of paying tribute) follows. Coconut, jaggery, 21 ‘modakas’ (rice flour preparation), 21 ‘durva’ (trefoil) blades and red flowers are offered. The idol is anointed with red unguent or sandal paste (rakta chandan). Throughout the ceremony, Vedic hymns from the Rig Veda and Ganapati Atharva Shirsha Upanishad, and Ganesha stotra from the Narada Purana are chanted.
Visarjan
For 10 days, from Bhadrapad Shudh Chaturthi to the Ananta Chaturdashi, Ganesha is worshipped. On the 11th day, the image is taken through the streets in a procession accompanied with dancing, singing, to be immersed in a river or the sea symbolizing a ritual see-off of the Lord in his journey towards his abode in Kailash while taking away with him the misfortunes of all man. All join in this final procession shouting “Ganapathi Bappa Morya, Purchya Varshi Laukariya” (O father Ganesha, come again early next year). After the final offering of coconuts, flowers and camphor is made, people carry the idol to the river to immerse it.
The whole community comes to worship Ganesha in beautifully done tents. These also serve as the venue for free medical checkup, blood donation camps, charity for the poor, dramatic performances, films, devotional songs, etc. during the days of the festival.
Do perform
On the Ganesh Chaturthi day, meditate on the stories connected with Lord Ganesha early in the morning, during the Brahmamuhurta period. Then, after taking a bath, go to the temple and do the prayers of Lord Ganesha. Offer Him some coconut and sweet pudding. Pray with faith and devotion that He may remove all the obstacles that you experience on the spiritual path. Worship Him at home, too. You can get the assistance of a pundit. Have an image of Lord Ganesha in your
house. Feel His Presence in it.
Don’t forget not to look at the moon on that day; remember that it behaved unbecomingly towards the Lord. This really means avoid the company of all those who have no faith in God, and who deride God, your Guru and religion, from this very day.
Take fresh spiritual resolves and pray to Lord Ganesha for inner spiritual strength to attain success in all your undertakings.
May the blessings of Sri Ganesha be upon you all! May He remove all the obstacles that stand in your spiritual path! May He bestow on you all material prosperity as well as liberation!
Shree Ganesh Mantra
Lord Ganesh has the unique distinction that his name is always invoked before any other God’s name in any prayer service. Lord Ganesh received this distinction as a blessing from his parents, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Lord Ganesa is designated as the chief (-eesha) of all of Lord Shiva’s ganas (servers) – hence his name, Ganesh. We begin with an invocation to Lord Ganesh – he of the single tusk, whose vehicle is the mouse and he who penned the Mahabharata with his own hands.
Salutations to the supreme Lord Ganesh, whose curved trunk (vakra-tunda) and massive body (maha-kaayaa) shines like a million suns (surya-koti) and showers his blessings on everyone (sama-prabhaa). Oh my lord of lords Ganesh (kurume-deva), kindly remove all obstacles (nir-vighnam), always (sarva-) and forever (sarvadaa-) from all my activities and endeavors (sarva-kaaryeshu).
> Vakratunda Ganesha Mantra audio mp3 (118K) This is an extract of the invocation to Lord Ganesh from a track on the Chants of India CD by Ravi Shankar.
Prayer for Prosperity to Lord Ganesh (Shubh Laabh Mantra)
The prayer for prosperity is based on the word, gam, which is the beej (seed) mantra for Lord Ganesh. We ask for good fortune (sau-bhaagya) and many blessings and wishes (var-vard) for our current and future life-times (sarva-janam-me.n). We bow in homage (namH) to Lord Ganesh who protects us with long lives (avaShamaanya) of health and happiness. A concise form of this mantra, suitable for multiple rapid repetitions is simply – “Aum gam Ganpataye Namh” – (ॐ गम गणपतये नम:)
> Shubh Laabh Ganesha Mantra audio mp3 (200K) This is a beautiful rendition of the short version of the Shubh Laabh Mantra in mp3 format by Pandit Jasraaj. Ganesh Gayatri Mantras
T
he Ganesh Gayatris are prayers to Lord Ganesh that are composed in the 24-syllable meter of the original Gayatri Mantra. Several variations of the Gayatri can be composed by invoking the various descriptive names of Ganesh in the appropriate place(s) of the original mantra.
We pray to the supreme and perfect male (tadapurusḥāya) who is omnipresent (viddhamahe). We meditate upon and pray for greater intellect (dhīmahi) to the Lord with the curved, elephant-shaped trunk (vakratunḍāya). We bow before the one with the single-tusked elephant tooth (tanno danti) to illuminate our minds with wisdom (prachodayāt).
We pray to the one with the single-tusked elephant tooth (ekadantāya) who is omnipresent (viddhamahe). We meditate upon and pray for greater intellect (dhīmahi) to the Lord with the curved, elephant-shaped trunk (vakratunḍāya). We bow before the one with the single-tusked elephant tooth (tanno danti) to illuminate our minds with wisdom (prachodayāt).
We pray to the one with the expandable belly (lambodarāya) who is omnipresent (viddhamahe). We meditate upon and pray for greater intellect (dhīmahi) to the Lord with the huge belly (mahodarāya). We bow before the one with the single-tusked elephant tooth (tanno danti) to illuminate our minds with wisdom (prachodayāt).
London Maher Cricket Tournament 2011
Sunday 31 st of July 2011
warren farm
windmill lane
southhall
middlesex
UB2 4NE
Please provide your team information to Suresh Modhwadia, any additional information and any queries.
If you have any players 16 and under or any individual players who would like to play we will arrange teams to be made.
Please provide Suresh Modhwadia with the details.
Please Note: Maher Community Only
For more information please contact Suresh Modhwadia 07932685880 email: gigs4u@hotmail.co.uk
It gives us great pleasure to write to you the first of many updates on behalf of the Leicester Maher Community Association. We sincerely pray this communication finds you in good health, wealth, and prosperity.
Ahead of our community centre in Leicester being almost ready to re-open after several months of refurbishment taking place; we are pleased to inform you that the regeneration efforts have paid off. Months of dedication from several community members have today shaped our community centre into a state of the art building that will meet various conference and banqueting needs, whilst continuing to be a cultural hub for our Samaj.
With pressures of time and the environment we thrive in, transformation certainly plays a vital role in preserving our rich heritage and culture. Our community centre itself has and will continue being a major part of our Samaj here in the West. We now need to ensure various strategies are in place in order to make the centre sustainable for future generations.
Please take a note of the following information for your reference:
Centre Opening:
Saturday 2nd July 2011@ 2pm – 6pm: Opening Event Invitation – This event will be hosted purely for our community members and invited guests to come and view the refurbished centre. There will be an opportunity for guests to meet, greet, and enjoy light refreshments. Existing as well as potential clients will have an opportunity to enquire about facilities and provisions in respect of their event. Please note, it will be vital for all guests to be seated by 2.00pm the latest as we have various invited guests including Lord Mayor, MPs, and Councillors attending the event. We look forward to seeing you!
If we can kindly reinforce that this event IS NOT A SAMELAN as a whole community Samelan is proposed during Diwali. On this point, we request for community members to consider the suitability of the Saturday 29th October 2011 for a Samelan. Details of this will be finalised during the summer and posted out to everyone.
New Booking Procedures of Centre and Facilities:
Our refurbished community centre has been kitted out with the latest gadgets and furniture, and has various facilities including ample car parking space. This along with its competitive rates is available for booking with immediate effect. Please call our centre or log onto www.mahercentre.com for information, check availability, and with enquiries relating to new booking procedures. The events coordinator can work with you to customise and tailor your event to your needs.
On this note, should you have any enquiries relating to this letter please contact our centre, leaving your name, telephone number, email address, or postal address and we will endeavour to reply as soon as.
Thanking you sincerely for your ongoing support.
Yours sincerely on behalf of The Leicester Maher Community Association,
Dr Bhimabhai Odedra (Leicester, UK) has kindly voluntereed to become trustee of the Shree Hindu Temple and Community Centre (the first Hindu Temple in the UK).
The temple is located on 34 St Barnabas Road, Leicester, LE5 4BD UK and is daily visited by thousands of people, including a large Maher Community. The centre manager is also a maher, Mr Mayurbhai Sisodiya. There are many volunteers to help out on daily running of the centre.
Here’s a video clip of Dr Bhimabhai Odedra’s speech
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The record breaking ladwo weighed 551kilograms
Leicester Maher Community has contributed greatly in making the largest “Ladwo” to celebrate the First ever Shree Ganesh Puran in the United Kingdom. The Shree Ganesh Puran will be recited at the Shree Hindu Temple and Community Centre – the first Hindu Temple in the UK.
To celebrate United Kingdom’s First Hindu Temple’s 42nd Anniversary the Board of Trustees and devotees of Leicester’s Shree Hindu Temple & Community Centre has organised United Kingdom’s first ever Ganesh Puran (Hindu Religious Scriptures texts eulogising the glory and significance of Lord Sri Ganesh) at the Temple at 34 St. Barnabas Road, Leicester, LES 4BD from Sunday 19th June to Sunday 26th June 2011.The Puran consisting of one hundred and thirty six pages, two sections – upasanakhanda or section on devotion and the kridakhanda or section on the divine play has two hundred and fifty sevenchapters.
Shastri Shree Dilipbhai Joshi
The Ganesh Puran will be recited by Hindu Temple’s renowned young priest Shastri Shree Dilipbhai Joshi daily between 10:30 am to 12:30 pm and 3:30 pm to 6:30pm. Shashtri has studied at the world famous Shree Sola Bhagavat Vidyapitha in Ahmedabad India and he has recited the Bhagwat Katha, Shiv Puran and Ganesh Puran (all scriptures) on many occasions. Lord Ganesh’s favourite food is CHURMA (modak) ladoos (Indian sweet). Consequently the highlight of the programme will be an attempt to create a new world record by making what we believe to be the world record breaking at least five hundred and one kilo grams of Chunna (modak) ladoo (Indian sweet) at the temple premises by the Temple’s own chef Mrs Bhanuben Durgai and Mrs Shital Trivedi.
This record breaking concept was the idea of Shastri Shree Dilipbhai Joshi, his idea was to generate the awareness for the Ganesh Puran and not just to create a record the sake of it. There is a real message in this special ladoo and hopefully everyone will get that special message!
It took 4 days to complete this single piece of largest Indian sweet in the world.
Main preparation began on Monday 13th June 2011 with gathering of all ingredients and cooking started at 3.30pm in the afternoon, lead by the head chefs – Bhanuben Durgai and Shitalben Trivedi, co-ordinated by Dilipbhai and helped by 20 other volunteers.
On 1st day a total of 221kilograms of flour, cooking oil and water were used. A majority of cooking were done on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Friday the 17th of June, was the day when all the ingredients and hard work of volunteers came together to form this largest piece of sweet ladoo.
The record breaking ladwo weighed 551kilograms and measure 1meter and 37cm in height (4ft 54inches) and had a width of 5feet in diameter at base and top is 6 inches. It took four days to make and involved around 25 volunteers.
Ingredients for this master piece are:
3 Different types of flours:- Wheat Flour, Semolina Flour and Gram Flour
Sunflower Oil, Ghee – which is purified butter and Gor for sweetness also contains cinnamon and herbs for flavouring.
This ladoo could set 4 new world records:
First in terms of Weight , Second , the height, third the width and forth record is that – this is the largest single piece of Indian sweet to be distributed to thousands of devotees.
Mr Pratapbhai Khunti & Family – (Swastik Traders and Millers) donated all the ingredients
Contributors
Mr Pratapbhai Khunti & Family – (Swastik Traders and Millers) donated all the ingredients
