## **Trustees' Annual Report for the period**
||Period start date|Period start date|||Period end date|Period end date||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||01|April|2023||31|March|2024|
|**From **||||**To**||||
## Section A Reference and administration details
**Charity name Other names charity is known by Registered charity number (if any)** 1176788 **Charity's principal address** 11 Lyndon Avenue
Bhakti Marga UK
Pinner **Postcode HA5 4QF**
## **Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity**
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20|**Trustee name**|**Office (if any)**|**Dates acted if not for whole**
**year **|**Name of person (or body) entitled**
**to appoint trustee (ifany)**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||Sonam Shantilal||||
||Hitesh Jogia||||
||Teresa Hale||||
||Merleesa
Govender||||
||Shehryar Karbhari||||
||Dr Manish
Pankhania||||
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## **Names of the trustees for the charity, if any, (for example, any custodian trustees)**
**Name Dates acted if not for whole year**
**TAR**
March **2012**
1
## **Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)**
|**Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)**|**Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)**|**Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)**|
|---|---|---|
|**Type of adviser**
**Name**
**Address**|||
||||
||||
||||
||||
|**Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)**|||
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## **Section B Structure, governance and management**
## **Description of the charity’s trusts**
Constitution Type of governing document (eg. trust deed, constitution) Charitable Incorporated Constitution How the charity is constituted (eg. trust, association, company) Apart from the first charity trustees, every appointed trustee must be Trustee selection methods appointed for a term of two years by a resolution passed at a properly (eg. appointed by, elected by) convened meeting of the charity trustees. In selecting individuals for appointment as appointed charity trustees, the charity trustees must have regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the CIO.
## **Additional governance issues (Optional information)**
You **may choose** to include additional information, where relevant, about:
N/A
- policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees;
- the charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works;
- relationship with any related parties;
- trustees’ consideration of major risks and the system and procedures to manage them.
## **Section C Objectives and activities**
**TAR**
March **2012**
2
## **Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document**
To advance the Hindu religion, in accordance with the teachings of Paramahamsa Sri Swami Vishwananda and Bhakti Marga, in particular but not exclusively by the provision of prayer meetings, lectures, public celebration of religious festivals, producing and/or distributing literature to enlighten others about the Hindu religion.
The initiative is to build a community where we promote the path of Bhakti (The Devotion to God) according the teachings of Paramahamsa Sri Swami Vishwananda.
Bhakti Marga offers a unique and holistic four-armed approach deeply rooted in time-honoured spiritual traditions. Each arm offers different practices to enjoy loving communion with God. Living in elevated state is not only for yogis or saints anymore. The four-armed approached includes activities within: Yoga & Meditation, Knowledge, Rituals & Devotional Arts. With a focus on spiritual and non-spiritual seekers, the association in the UK aims to enhance the four-armed approach by: 1. Yoga & Meditation - At Bhakti Marga UK we offer a variety of courses that impart key spiritual techniques which steady the chatter of the mind and open the heart. Promote and deliver fairs, teachings and workshops on ancient meditation techniques such as Atma Kriya Yoga, Simply Meditation, **Summary of the main** OM Chanting and Babaji Surya Namaskar which all promote spiritual, **activities undertaken for the** mental and physical well being **public benefit in relation to** Yoga retreats for seekers to allow people to meditate in areas of **these objects (include within** tranquillity and peace with other practitioners **this section the statutory declaration that trustees have** 2. Rituals - Promoting Hindu festivals, traditions and activities. **had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity** 3. Knowledge - It is important for one to be living bhakti. It provides the **Commission on public** roots to understand the path and the inspiration to live, love and grow **benefit)** over time. Knowledge turns experience into wisdom. Paramahamsa Vishwananda reveals and shares the deeper truths and mysteries spoken of in ancient scriptures in His books and discourses accessible and relatable to everyone in today’s world. These books and courses are available in the UK.
4. Devotional Arts - Art manifests divine beauty. Be it music, singing, painting, dancing or acting, with the right attitude. We offer various courses that enables one to engage in devotional arts.
We stand by the following core values: ➢ Respect – we respect people of all gender, caste or creed ➢ Love – we are inspired and taught by our Living Master, Paramahamsa Vishwananda to accept what one is in order to love ourselves and others
➢ Unity – we aim to work and grow spiritually together so that we can achieve the ultimate
➢ Engage – we continue to develop relationships with communities and people so that one has a greater understanding of Hinduism
## **Additional details of objectives and activities (Optional information)**
**TAR**
March **2012**
3
All contributions made by volunteers are used for the purpose of charitable activities and to fulfil the strategies of the charity.
You **may choose** to include further statements, where relevant, about:
- policy on grantmaking;
- policy programme related investment;
- contribution made by volunteers.
## Section D Achievements and performance
**TAR**
March **2012**
4
Section D Achievements and erformance p
**Summary of the main Summary of Charity Achievements for the Year: achievements of the charity during the year 1. Emphasizing the Four Arms of our Mission:** Throughout the year, the charity diligently focused on fulfilling the four core objectives outlined in our mission. These objectives were achieved through a series of diverse events and initiatives. In embracing these four arms, the charity not only preserved the spiritual heritage of Hinduism but also provided a comprehensive platform for individuals to explore, experience, and internalise the diverse aspects of their spiritual journey. Through Yoga & Meditation, Devotional Arts, Knowledge dissemination, and Rituals, the charity endeavoured to enrich the lives of its members, fostering a community deeply rooted in spiritual understanding and practice. **2. Paramahamsa Vishwananda’s visit to the UK:** In August 2023, Bhakti Marga UK was blessed with the sacred presence of Paramahamsa Vishwananda for a deeply transformative Darshan event. As a living Spiritual Master, His Divine Grace offered participants the rare opportunity to experience unconditional love through His gaze, inspiring hearts to open and connect with the Divine. The Darshan brought together devotees from across the UK and beyond, fostering a profound sense of unity and spiritual elevation. Many shared how this encounter reignited their devotion and strengthened their spiritual practices. The Darshan in August 2023 marked a pivotal moment for Bhakti Marga UK, bringing devotees and volunteers together in a spirit of love and service. Preparations for this sacred event created a profound sense of community, as individuals united with a shared purpose: to welcome the Master and create an uplifting experience for all attendees. The collaborative effort—from venue preparation to hospitality—strengthened bonds among volunteers, reflecting Bhakti Marga's values of selfless service and devotion. The event radiated unity, leaving a lasting impact on all involved. **3. Festivals and Celebrations - Events and Practices:** Celebrating key spiritual festivals like Maha Shivaratri, and Full Moon Abhishekhams, Krishna Janmasthami, Narasimha Chaturthi and more, offered communities an opportunity to gather in shared devotion, transcending personal differences and fostering unity. The charity organized a variety of spiritual events, including Bhakti Kirtan sessions that immersed attendees in devotional songs and music. Additionally, OM chanting’s resonated within the temple, creating an atmosphere of peace and serenity. Regular mantra meditation sessions were conducted, allowing participants to deepen their spiritual practices **. 4. Educational Initiatives:** The year saw the successful implementation of Bhagavad Gita courses and a knowledge program to complete the Bhakti Marga Academy for all initiated devotees. The first-year courses provide a comprehensive introduction to the main themes present within Hinduism and Vaiṣṇavism, with the Devotee course at its core. A general overview of the scriptures is given together with a more in-depth analysis of the _Bhagavad Gītā_ connected with Paramahamsa Vishwananda’s teachings and the study of _Gītā ślokas_ . This fostered enlightening individuals with the profound teachings of this ancient scripture. These courses provided valuable insights into life's philosophy and spiritual wisdom, enriching the lives of those who participated.
**TAR**
March **2012**
5
Section D Achievements and erformance p
## **5. Spiritual Education for Children:**
At The Hari Bhakta Vidyalaya School, children are not only imparted conventional education but are also introduced to the profound teachings of Paramahamsa Vishwananda. The curriculum incorporates the spiritual essence of Hinduism, instilling in young minds the values of compassion, mindfulness, and reverence for all life. Through engaging sessions and interactive learning, the school creates a nurturing environment where spirituality and academics harmoniously coexist.
## **6. Community Engagement and Growth:**
The charity's outreach efforts led to an expansion of our spiritual community. Through these events and educational programs, we were able to connect with a wider audience, sharing the teachings and values that guide our organisation.
## **Looking Ahead**
In alignment with the values of Bhakti Marga, we aim to further enrich community lives by expanding programs, increasing collaborations, and continuing to inspire through love, devotion, and service.
## **Acknowledgments**
We express heartfelt gratitude to our volunteers, devotees, and donors, whose contributions are the cornerstone of our mission.
## **Conclusion**
Bhakti Marga UK remains committed to building vibrant, supportive communities rooted in spiritual practice, where individuals can discover and share the transformative power of love and devotion through the guidance and teachings of Paramahamsa Vishwananda.
**TAR**
March **2012**
6
## **Section E Financial review**
## **Brief statement of the**
**charity’s policy on reserves**
It is the policy of the charity to maintain unrestricted funds which are free reserves of the charity at a level which is required to meet its objectives of approximately six months unrestricted expenditure. This provides sufficient funds to cover management and administrative costs for the charity. The Board reviews this periodically.
**Details of any funds materially in deficit**
None
## **Further financial review details (Optional information)**
You **may choose** to include additional information, where relevant about:
- the charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising);
- how expenditure has supported the key objectives of the charity;
- investment policy and objectives including any ethical investment policy adopted.
## **Section F Other optional information**
## **Section G Declaration**
**The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.**
**Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees**
**Signature(s) Full name(s)** Sonam Shantilal **Position (eg Secretary, Chair,** Trustee **etc)**
**Date** 06/12/2024
**TAR**
March **2012**
7
||**Bhakti Marga UK**|**Bhakti Marga UK**|**Bhakti Marga UK**|**Bhakti Marga UK**|**CC16a**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||**For the period**
**from**|01/04/2023|**To**|||
|||||||
|**Section A Receipts and payments**||||||
|**A1 Receipts**|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**to the nearest £**
**24,890**
**4,143**
**1,023**
**88**
**9,317**
**11,605**
**6,138**
**500**
**-**
**-**
**57,705**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**57,705**
**1,669**
**9,564**
**3,475**
**2,373**
**1,848**
**3,036**
**-**
**341**
**183**
**390**
**-**
**561**
**16**
**499**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**23,956**
**743**
**-**
**743**
**24,698**|**Restricted**
**funds**
**to the nearest £**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**|**Endowment**
**funds**
**to the nearest £**|**Total funds**
**to the nearest £**|**Last year**
**to the nearest £**|
|Donations - Tithes & Offerings|**24,890**||**-**|**24,890**
**4,143**
**1,023**
**88**
**9,317**
**11,605**
**6,138**
**500**
**-**
**-**
**57,705**|**38,013**|
|Donations - Events|**4,143**||**-**||**3,970**|
|Donations - Courses & Activities|**1,023**||||**1,056**|
|Donations - Others|**88**||||**248**|
|Course Fees & Chargeable Events|**9,317**||**-**||**19,010**|
|Shop sales|**11,605**||**-**||**3,915**|
|Gift Aid|**6,138**||**-**||**10,427**|
|Rental Income|**500**||**-**||**-**|
||**-**||**-**||**-**|
||**-**||**-**
**-**||**-**|
|**_Sub total_**_(Gross income for_
_AR)_|
**57,705**||||**76,638**|
|||||||
|**A2 Asset and investment sales,**
**(see table).**||||||
|Loans received from external
funder|**-**||**-**|**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**|**-**|
||**-**||**-**||**-**|
||**-**||**-**
**-**||**-**|
|**_Sub total_**|**-**||||**-**|
|**_Total receipts_**
**A3 Payments**||||**57,705**||
||||**-**||**76,638**|
|||||||
|Venue Hire|**1,669**||**-**|**1,669**
**9,564**
**3,475**
**2,373**
**1,848**
**3,036**
**-**
**341**
**183**
**390**
**-**
**561**
**16**
**499**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**23,956**|**1,006**|
|Event costs|**9,564**||**-**||**29,746**|
|Marketing|**3,475**||**-**||**2,442**|
|Shop purchases|**2,373**||**-**||**204**|
|Travel & Accommodation|**1,848**||**-**||**2,766**|
|Food & Meals|**3,036**||**-**||**6,572**|
|Charitable contributions|**-**||**-**||**24,014**|
|Website maintenance|**341**||**-**||**63**|
|Printing, Postage & Stationery|**183**||**-**||**910**|
|Audit fees|**390**||**-**||**300**|
|Storage costs|**-**||**-**||**662**|
|Transaction fees|**561**||**-**||**791**|
|Other costs|**16**||||**25**|
|Dues and Subscriptions|**499**||**-**||**466**|
|Telephone costs|**-**||**-**||**45**|
|Course Manuals|**-**||**-**||**466**|
|Legal & professional costs|**-**||**-**||**-**|
|Insurance costs|**-**||**-**||**174**|
|Security costs|**-**||**-**||**75**|
||**-**||**-**||**-**|
||**-**||**-**
**-**||**-**|
|**_Sub total_ **|**23,956**||||**70,728**|
|||||||
|**A4 Asset and investment**
**purchases, (see table)**||||||
|
Equipment|**743**||**-**|**743**
**-**
**-**
**743**|**4,615**|
|Loans repaid to an external funder|||**-**||**10,000**|
||**-**||**-**
**-**|||
|**_Sub total_ **|**743**||||**14,615**|
|**_Total payments_**||||||
||**24,698**||**-**|**24,698**|**85,343**|
|**_Net of receipts/(payments)_**
**A5 Transfers between funds**
**A6 Cash funds last year end**
**_Cash funds this year end_**|**33,007**||**-**||**-**|**33,007**|**- 8,706**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||**-**|
|**-**|
|**-**
**-**|**-**
**39,961**|**-**|
||**39,961**||**-**||||**48,667**|
||**72,968**||**-**||**-**|**72,968**|**39,961**|
|**Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period**|**Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period**|**Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period**||
|---|---|---|---|
|**Categories**
Signed by one or two trustees on
behalf of all the trustees
**B5 Liabilities**
**B3 Investment assets**
**B2 Other monetary assets**
**B4 Assets retained for the**
**charity’s own use**
**B1 Cash funds**|**Details**
**Details**
**Details**
Equipment
**Details**
**_Total cash funds_**
(agree balances with receipts and payments
account(s))
**Details**
Cash at bank
Petty Cash
Signature|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**to nearest £**|**Endowment**
**funds**
**to nearest £**|
|||**72,021**
**947**
**-**|**-**|
||||**-**|
||||**-**|
|||**72,968**|**-**|
||||OK|
||||**Endowment**
**funds**
**to nearest £**|
||||**-**|
||||**-**|
||||**-**|
||||**-**|
||||**-**|
||||**-**|
||||**Current value**
**(optional)**|
||||**-**|
||||**-**|
||||**-**|
||||**-**|
||||**-**|
||||**Current value**
**(optional)**|
||||**-**|
||||**-**|
||||**-**|
||||**-**|
||||**-**|
||||**-**|
||||**-**|
||||**-**|
||||**-**|
||||**When due**
**(optional)**|
|||||
|||||
|||||
|||||
|||||
|||||
||||Date of
approval|
||||06/12/2024|
|||||
## **Independent examiner's report on the accounts**
**Section A Independent Examiner’s Report**
**Report to the trustees/** Bhakti Marga UK **members of On accounts for the year** 31 March 2024 **Charity no** 1176788 **ended (if any) Set out on pages** 1-2
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31/03/2024.
- **Responsibilities and** As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation **basis of report** of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
**Independent** I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have **examiner's statement** come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
- accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or
- the accounts do not accord with the accounting records
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
**Date:** 06/12/2024 **Signed: Name:** Chaweevan Williams FCCA **Relevant professional** Chartered Certified Accountant **qualification(s) or body: Address:** Verdant Accountants Limited 20-22 Wenlock Road, London N1 7GU