London Institute of Vedic Education 


## 2023 ANNUAL REPORT 

**Charity Number: 1184199** 


**108 Chipstead Valley Road, Coulsdon, CR5 3BA, UK** 



_**The installation of Shiv Parvati by Sri Joshi Prashanth Sharma**_ 


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## **Contents** 

|**Trustees Report for 2023**|**4**|
|---|---|
|**Annual Report of the Mandir**|**6**|
|Murti Prathisthas|6|
|Festivals|9|
|Prasad|12|
|Regular Events|13|
|An article on Basant panchami:|14|
|Special Events|15|
|Future plans for the Mandir in 2024|17|
|Mandir Health and Safety|18|
|Financial Report|19|
|Other achievements|19|
|Mandir Management Committee|20|
|**Croydon Homeless Seva**|**22**|
|**Sanatana Dharma Presentations to Schools**|**24**|
|**LIVE Children’s Services**|**27**|
|Krishna Children Sanga Report 2023|27|
|26 week Sanatan Dharam course|27|
|26 week Bhagavad Gita course|27|
|Special thanks|28|
|Online seminars|29|
|Sanatana Dharma course|29|
|**Goverdhan Institute for Vedic Education (“GIVE”)**|**30**|
|**Dwipa Institute for Vedic Education (“DIVE”)**|**38**|
|**Sri Lanka**|**40**|
|**7 Week Bharat Yatra**|**42**|
|**My Spiritual Journey To India**|**55**|
|**Financial Report**|**60**|



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## TRUSTEES REPORT FOR 2023 


The Mission Statement of LIVE is “To educate and spread Vedic knowledge to children and communities at large with excellence”. 

In order to fulfil this mission, LIVE has continued to conduct the following activities: 

- School programmes 

- Children’s services 

- Online Zoom Seminars to adults and children 

- Bhajans (devotional songs) 

- Effectively run and manage the Sanatan Mandir and Community Centre in Coulsdon 

- Bharat and UK yatras _(spiritual tours in India)_ 

- Support projects in India and Sri Lanka 

LIVE serves the community in various projects, simultaneously both in the UK 

and abroad. We deeply recognise and are thankful to the tremendous contributions made by the dedicated volunteers running the organisation, who together with the community and our supporters, operate, sustain and improve LIVE. The work carried out has had a profound positive impact on the lives of both younger and older members in the communities we serve. 

The projects supported in India _(Bharat)_ include the continued sponsorship of education of the Gopis, installation of water wells, supporting Goshalas, distribution of blankets and feeding the poor. You will find further details of these projects within this Annual Report. 

After the opening of The Sanatan Mandir and Community Centre in Coulsdon _(fondly called The Mandir)_ in August 2022, we have been very busy organising many events and festivals in 2023, some of highlights being: 

- Attendance at the 1st anniversary & Shree Krishna Janmastami and other festivals were oversubscribed. 

- Satsangs at Mandir taking place every Monday, Thursday, Friday & Saturdays. 

- Sign at front of hall, donors’ board installed and internal lighting sorted out and improved. 

- Garba event held at Lohana Hall to raise funds for the Mandir 

- Diwali celebrations held at Coulsdon Community Centre in November 

- Chris Philips _(MP for Croydon South)_ was chief guest at Diwali event 

- Holi festival held at Bansted 

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Community Hall with burning of Holika in March 

- Gaura Nitai, Shiv Parvati and Yantra installation in June and November respectfully 

- Group of Kartikeya bhaktas using the Mandir for their satsangs. 

- 2nd layer of managers created for all teams and Finance team is looking at liaising with local businesses. 

- Special Kartikeya Puja was held for 5 days 

- Regular sponsored Hanuman Chalisas held on Saturdays 

- Other religious events held were: Mata ki Chowki, Karwa  Chot, Dusherra event, Ganesh Chaturthi, Jagrata, Guddi Padwa 

- Many special Invited speakers 

- Tulsi Vivah, held in November 

- Conducted the first Vedic wedding ceremony at the Mandir 

- Weekly Bharat Natyam dance lessons and also weekly table lessons held for children and adults 

Many devotees regularly attend weekly sessions at the centre and it is very encouraging to see that the Mandir has begun to attract a wide range of members from the local community. 

We have continued to actively support the schools in their religious curriculum and visited them or they have come to the Mandir. The schools programme is hosted by Nabhinandan Das, supported by many members of the Mandir.  As a result of their zeal for sharing Vedic education, this program has been very well received by the schools and we are delighted to see the immense enthusiastic and enjoyment 

## shown by the students. 

We would like to thank Naveen Khosla for his past Chairmanship. 

The Trustees are eagerly looking forward to welcoming and serving our community. 

_Ashwin Soni Chairman of the Trustees_ 


## LIVE TRUSTEES’ DETAILS 

Ashwin Soni _(Chairman of the Trustees)_ Parth Malde Kanu Priya Rajiv Dama Ghanashyam Master Ian Lynch 


## GIVE TRUSTEES’ DETAILS 

Trikalajna Das Nabhinandan & Jayanti Priyavrat Das Pundarik Das 


## DIVE TRUSTEES’ DETAILS 

Sanjoy Roy Manideep Rana 

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## ANNUAL REPORT OF THE MANDIR 

_By Sachin Bagla, Chairman_ 

_**The Mandir has been a resounding success in its development and engagement of the community. Below are some of the major events in 2023.**_ 

## **Murti Prathisthas** 

On Sunday 18 June 2023 the inauguration ceremony of Shree Shree Gaura Nitai took place. Gaura _(also known as Lord Chaitanya is non other than Krishna)_ . He is not well known because the Lord appears as a hidden incarnation in KaliYuga. However, He is predicted to appear in the Vedic scriptures (especially the Puranas). 

For example it is stated in the Padma Purana, the Supreme Lord states: _“I shall take birth as the son of Sachi assuming a golden form in a beautiful place on the bank of the Bhagirathi (Ganga) on the earth in the first part of Kali-yuga.”_ The wonderful ceremony was conducted by priest Joshi Prashanth Sharma and abhisekh (bathing) was performed of the Dieties, followed by a delicious feast. 





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On Sunday 26 November 2023 the inauguration ceremony of Shiva Parvati took place. This auspicious occasion was witnessed by hundreds of devotees. The divine ceremony was again conducted by priest Joshi Prashanth Sharma which was followed by a delicious feast. The Murtis and whole festival was sponsored by Sudha Verma and family and Tushar Raval and family. The Mandir is very grateful to them. 




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On the same occasion as Shiva Parvati inauguration, 4 powerful yantras were also installed in the Mandir. 

Yantras bring universal energy in order to assist the practitioners of religious practices to focus their attention on spirituality and are representations of the sound incarnation of the Lord. 

The names of the Yantras are 

- Shiv Yantra 

- Krishna Yantra 

- Ram Yantra 

- Shree Yantra 

This is a unique Mandir where Gaura Nitai are worshipped alongside Shiva Parvati, contributing to LIVE’s aim to unite the whole Hindu community under the banner of Sanatan Dharma. 


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## **Festivals** 

## _by Sanjana Idnani_ 

The Mandir aims to celebrate all the festivals on the Hindu calendar and this year, by the grace and mercy of the Lord, we have celebrated almost 30 festivals in 2023. This has been a brilliant way to bring the community together and bring in new members to the community too. The increased reach of our festivals has been a testament to how the Mandir is helping a much larger community, with attendance at our larger festivals being over 350+ people, and in some cases tickets were waitlisted and sales had to be stopped due to oversubscription of our events. 

This year we have expanded our educational outreach with our festivals and put on more family specific events in the leadup to festivals. For example, we organised a diya making and rangoli design competition for kids to participate in. The winner was announced at our main Diwali event, which gave us an opportunity to showcase the work of our young devotees to the wider community. We also hosted a kite-making workshop for Makar Sankranti with the children. 

We have also expanded our cultural programmes at festivals. This year, the children’s Leela at Diwali took the form of a dance performance, which was a new and exciting way for the kids to tell this age-old story. We also saw classical performances from young devotees. 

have drawn more regulars to our weekly chanting, which has now become a flagship event at the Mandir. 

Prasad _(blessed vegetarian food)_ is served at every festival event and is always prepared by members of the devotee community, headed by Manisha Agrawal. 

A full list of festivals celebrated by the Mandir in 2023 can be found below: 

- New Years Day on 1st January 

- Makar Sankranti on 15th January 

- Vasant Panchami & Republic day on 26th January 

- Maha Shivratri on 18th February 

- Gaura Purnima on 7th March 

- Holi on 11th March 

- Chaitra Navrati on 22nd March 

- Gudi Padwa on 22nd March 

- Akhand Ramayana on 25th & 26th March 

- Astami & Durga Puja on 29th March 

- Ram Navmi on 30th March 

- Hanuman Jayanti on 6th April 

- 108 Hanuman Chalisa on 15th April 

- Akshaya Tritya on 22nd April 

- Sita Navmi on 30th April 

- Nrsinga Caturdasi on 4th May 

- Guru Purnima on 7th June 

- Balaram Jayanti on 19th August 

- Shree Krishna Janmastami on 9th September 

- Ganesh Chaturthi on 19th September 

- Radhastami on 23 September 

- Sraddha ceremony on 14th October 

- Navaratri from 15th to 22th October 

Additionally, we saw a growth in our Hanuman Chalisa chanting, with 108 Hanuman Chalisas recited to celebrate Hanuman Jayanti on the 15th April. Our special Hanuman Chalisa events 

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- Karwa Chauth on 1st November 


- Govardhan Puja on 14th November 

- Diwali on 18th November 





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## • Tulsi Vivah on 24th November 


- Mata ka Jagrata on 25 November 

- Gita Jayanti on 23rd December 

In 2024 we look to expand our festivals list and community reach even further. 


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EVERY SATURDAY<br>-<br>10AM   12PM<br>COME AND SING ALONG @ THE MANDIR<br>108 CHIPSTEAD VALLEY ROAD CR5 3HQ<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>





## **Prasad** 

_Manisha Agrawal_ 

A Divine Offering of Grace Prasad, in Sanatan Dharma, holds a profound significance as it represents a sacred offering bestowed by the divine to the devotee. Prasad, derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Prasada,’ translates to “grace” or “divine favor.” It refers to the blessed food, items, or substances offered to a deity during Dharmic ceremonies or rituals. 

Following the offering, these blessed items are distributed among devotees, symbolizing the divine grace and blessings received.  Consuming Prasad is believed to bring spiritual, mental, and physical well-being, symbolizing the benevolence of the deity. The distribution of Prasad among devotees also promotes a sense of unity and equality. Regardless of one’s social status, age, or background, everyone partakes in the same divine blessings, fostering a feeling of oneness within the community. 


Offering and receiving Prasad mark the culmination of a ceremony. It is believed that the divine energizes the offerings, transforming them into a medium through which devotees can connect with the spiritual realm. Accepting Prasad with humility signifies surrendering the ego and acknowledging the divine’s grace. It is a symbolic act of letting go of personal desires and recognizing a higher power at play. Prasad plays a vital role in our life. It not only strengthens the spiritual connection between the devotee and the divine but also fosters a sense of community and shared devotion. 

In Coulsdon Mandir, there is a strong team of devotees for preparing and distributing prasad. This team is not limited to a few devotees, any individual with the feelings of devotion can be part of the team. Devotees considering their other commitments frequently offer to prepare prasad for our glorious festivals. This is a way to seek divine blessings and being part of the community. 

Some names from the prasad team who are offering their services voluntarily are Parulji, Karunaji, Jyotiji, Dr Jyoti, Prernaji, Rituji, Kaumudiji, Anubhaji, Shilpaji, Seema Madanji, Seema Tyagiji, Rajyashreeji, Lakshmiji, Manjuji, Neelam Kumarji, Binaji, Naliniji, Nitikaji, Nupurji, Deepikaji, Diptiji, Dimpleji, Lataji. 

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_Suraj Kanoo_ 

## **Regular Events** 

_**Last year a series of regular satsangs and events were introduced into the Mandir diary. These events demonstrate the true love of devotees to the Mandir as each of these events were conceptualised by group of devotees and they take a lead in performing them on regular basis. While there are a few still in planning and finalisation phases, here is a list of current regular events that take place in the Mandir.**_ 

## **108 Recitation of Maha Mrityunjay** 

**Mantra:** A simple, non-stop and blissful group recitation of the powerful Maha Mrityunjay Mantra takes place on every Monday between 7 pm and 8 pm. Not to miss the in person feeling of this Mantra with a meditative background music. Panchamrit Abhishek of Shiv-Ling is performed at the end of each recitation followed by Arti and Prasad. 

alternate Friday and followed by a lovely; and delicious prasad. 

## **Gujrati Bhajan Sandhya:** Melodious 

bhajans in Gujrati language is sung on first Friday evening of each month between 6:30 pm and 7:30 pm. It is another blissful experience for our devotees to be part of. The event is followed by a beautiful arti sung in Gujrati. 

**Dance Lessons:** A weekly event providing opportunity for anyone and everyone to learn the basics and master their learnings into Indian Classical Dance. The lesson takes place on Wednesdays between 5 pm and 6 pm which is run by Mandir devotee and dance teacher. 

## **Sirdi Sai Baba Bhajans:** On every 

Thursday between 6:30 pm and 7:30 pm the Mandir becomes the place for inspiring bhajans and arti of Sirdi Sai Baba. It is an amazing experience to be part of this evening. 

## **Bhajan and Bhojan Sandhya:** What a 

better way to spend your Friday evening than be part of Satyanarayan Katha, going through learnings from the excerpts of our holy scriptures, amazing bhajans and a beautiful arti. This event takes place between 6:30 pm and 7:30 pm every 

## **Hanuman Chalisa:** Each Saturday 

morning between 10:00 am and 12:30 pm devotees feel the divine energy through singing of Hanuman Chalisas , ram dhun and bhajans. An event wherein the Mandir becomes completely full and every devotee is encouraged to take a lead in singing and the entire Mandir sings along. A truly blissful experience wherein a Laddoo is offered to Bajrang Bali at the end of each Hanuman Chalisa. The event ends with beautiful arti and delicious prasad. This event is open to devotees for sponsorship. 

**Bhagavad Gita Lessons:** The Saturday evening between 5 pm and 6 pm the Mandir turns into a place for everyone to take a structural and simple way to learn about ‘Dharma (duty)’; Karma (action); Bhakti (devotion) and Moksha (liberation). 

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## **Kartikeya Maharaj Puja:** A special 

evening of elaborate puja, arti and bhajans of Kartikeya Maharaj takes place on every Saturday between 6:30 pm and 9:30 pm. An event that used to be performed in a different location. No doubt the positive energy and ambience of the Mandir makes it to be at its rightful home. 

## **Shri Ganapati Morning:** A beautiful 

and divine experience to take a dive into Ganesh Vandana, Bhajan and Arati. It takes place at 10:30 am on 1st Sunday of every month. This event is open to sponsorship and usually booked for next few months by devotees 

**An article on Basant panchami from a teenage devotee of the mandir:** 


_Diya Agrawal 15 years_ 

**Marathi Bhajan Sandhya:** A monthly event of enjoying the blissful bhajans in Marathi. Beautifully sung bhajans are simply a blissful experience to be part of at 6:30 pm of every second Sunday of the month. The event is followed by beautiful arti sung in Marathi. 

**If you would like to book The Mandir for an event please contact Sachin Bagla on 07956 169356** 

On 14th February, it was Basant Panchami. This festival is in the honour of goddess Sarasvati, and it marks the preparation for the arrival of spring. One way to celebrate the festival is through the Sarasvati Puja, where textbooks are laid out and blessed with the holy swastika. In the temple, we celebrated Basant Panchachi with chanting, shlokas, and singing bhajans. We followed this with a short puja and Prasad. 

As a teenager, this was a unique experience full of community and joy. As a student, this festival is more significant to me as Sarasvati is the goddess of knowledge, and I desired her blessing for my upcoming exams. I had already known of the big festivals such as Diwali and Holi. However, I did not know about this festival until today, and I was enlightened with knowledge. I want to thank the temple community for bringing everyone closer to their culture, especially those who did not get the experience of it when they were younger. 

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## **Special Events** 

## _Dr Jyoti Rathod_ 

To further our mission of Seva (Selfless Service), Bhakti (Sincere Devotion) and Vidya (Lifelong learning), the Mandir organises special events from time to time that feature talks, Q&A, well being events and community engagement events. We invite scholars, learned devotees and leaders from various fields to drive these special events. The list of events held in 2023 are listed below and we aspire to build on this momentum in 2024. 

_Gopi Geet Pravchan by Pandit Shukla Saheb in April 2023_ 


_1st wedding was performed at the Mandir on 4th May_ 


_2 Sadhvis (Devvaniji & Davaditiji) on International Yoga day on 14th June_ 


_Summer Fair on 24th June_ 


_A trip to Skandavale Temple was organised on 8 & 9th July, attended by 50 devotees_ 


_Sundarkand Path Ramayana on 29th July Swami Mahamandleshwar from Haridwar on Ramayan 14th August_ 

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_1st anniversary celebrations on 19th August_ 

_Pravachan by Professor Paurav Shukla on 20th August_ 


_Sponsored walk on 17th September_ 

_Rangoli and Diya workshop on 4th November Shri Shantanu Gupta (lessons from Ramayan) 10th November_ 


_Rasheshvari Devi Pravachan on 22 and 23rd November_ 

**Why not hold your special events like:** 

**birthday celebrations, weddings, anniversaries at the Mandir** 

**Contact Sachin on 07956 169356** 


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## **Future plans for the Mandir in 2024** 

We have a good agenda of improvements to make the Mandir even more practical and also welcome new Deities. 

As part of the renovation programme, we aim to make multiple practical developments that include the following 

**Shoe rack** - As we have learnt that during very busy days at the Mandir, the one shoe rack is insufficient and we need a second shoe rack near the emergency exit door to be built. 

**Storage space** - The Mandir requires additional storage space internally and externally. The plan is to have storage space for all cushions and chairs. 

**Seating in temple** - We aim to install permanent seating in the Mandir along the rear wall with comfortable cushions which can also double up as storage. 

**Announcement board** - In the entrance porch, we plan to install an announcement board that will be more visible and more accessible than the current one inside the Mandir. This announcement board will have updates on all upcoming events and also allow devotees to connect with Mandir communities digitally. 

**Front Garden** - We launched Seva garden in 2023 and it got a good start with few devotees planting flowers and looking after them. In 2024 we aim to change the front garden to make the entrance of the Mandir more welcoming and also remove waste bins from direct view by creating a purpose built parking space. There will be rendering of the visible walls, 2 raised beds on either side of the staircase with selection of 

evergreen and flowering plants that are low maintenance. 

**Deity installation** - Our long term plans include to welcome new Deities to the altar where we will have Ganeshji, Durga Ji, Saraswati Ji, Narasimha Bhagwan, Kartikeya Maharaj and Hanuman ji. This will help bring the broader community together at the Mandir, which is one of our key principles to unite the Sanatan community in south London. 

**Mandir Seva** - The Mandir does not employ a full time priest because our vision is that the community of devotees living around the Mandir will come and open the Mandir performing the arati, let guests in etc. So far the devotees from the congregation have covered most of morning and evening services. However, more volunteers are needed to assist with this rare seva opportunity to the Lordships. 

## **Financial Plans for 2024** 

- Establish a membership model to allow devotees to donate on a regular (monthly) basis. 

- Fund raising and sponsorships towards the plans described above: 

- Seek out corporate sponsorship and fund-raising opportunities. 

- Add 2 more donation machines in the Mandir which can be single tap donations for devotees, simplifying the donation process for devotees further. 

- Encourage recurring monthly donations via a standing order or direct debit 

- Continue to encourage sponsorship for major items of capital expenditure 

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## **Mandir Health and Safety** 

_Bhavesh Jhaveri (Mandir Health and Safety Officer)_ 

## **Responsibility** 

The Trustees and the Management Committee of Mandir are accountable for the Health, Safety and Welfare of all users, devotees, volunteers and any visitors. Arrangements are in place to provide a safe place to hold events in the Mandir and ensure the safety is a priority. Guidelines are available on noticeboards, our website and through announcements.  The Hirers of Mandir Facilities and contractors are given information about the Mandir’s Health & Safety Policy and required to comply with the Policy and procedures. 

Over the past year, good working practices, hazards and security measures are identified and implemented to ensure health and safety of everyone. These health and safety practices are regularly reviewed and actions taken, to continuously improve safety procedures and systems as appropriate. 

## **Emergency Procedures** 

Mandir has established safety policies and procedures covering fire safety, emergency response, first aid provision, security and environmental measures. We have fire alarms, smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and emergency exit plans in place. We conduct regular safety audits and fire drills to test the effectiveness of emergency procedures and identify areas for improvement. First Aid Kits are available at Mandir and the accident log-book is kept adjacent to the First aid box. 

## **Recommendations and general safety procedures** 

- Ensure that you take good care for the health and safety of yourself and others that may be affected by your actions. 

- Ensure you are familiar with the Emergency Procedures. 

- Be aware of emergency exit routes and ensure that routes are kept clear. 

- Be aware of the location of the first aid box. 

- Strict ‘no smoking’ policy is enforced. 

- Children must always be accompanied by adult and special need persons must be accompanied by their carer. 

- Arti diwas and Havan fire is lit and controlled by the authorised personnel 

- Ensure that the Mandir has adequate ventilation to prevent the accumulation of fumes or smoke in enclosed areas. 

- All entry and exit points must be unobstructed, and easily accessible in case of an emergency. 

- Key volunteers for the event are aware of fire extinguishers and emergency exit plans 

- Prevent wet floors and clutter to avoid any slips, trips and fall hazards. We follow clean and clear policy. 

## **Conclusion** 

I am grateful for everyone’s vigilance in following the set protocols and safety measures to ensure the well-being of all the devotees, volunteers and visitors. Due to everyone’s careful implementation of the health and safety procedures in place, I am pleased to announce that we have not had any fire or accident incident at  the Mandir premises. 

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## **Financial Report** 

_For the period from 1st Jan 2023 till 31st December 2023_ 

_Anil Idnani_ 

I am pleased to present the Financial Summary for the period 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2023. 

2023 was the first full year of operations for the Mandir and there is a clear indication that devotees have started to contribute generously to support their Mandir financially, as shown below: 

|Total Receipts|£62,700|
|---|---|
|Total Expenses|£41,000|
|Operating Surplus|£21,700|
|otable items||
|Donations received|£41,221|
|Surplus from festival events|<br>£4,662|
|One off donations of<br>Rental income from Mandir|£16,000<br>Hire  £2,330|



## Notable items 

|Capital expenditure includes:||
|---|---|
|Mandir lights|£4,228|
|Murtis<br>Honours board<br>Flooring repairs|£6,860<br>£1,883<br>£1,700|
|Outside Mandir sign|£998|



## **Other achievements** 

- Introduced the model for hiring out the Mandir for events. 

- Introduced cashless donations using the Give a Little machine and QR code. 

- Received sponsorships for some of the major items required for the Mandir. 

Daily Seva at the Mandir Cooking Preparation _(especially on special occasions)_ Children’s Education _(presentations of Sanatan Dharma to schools)_ Technology, Marketing, Web Content, Events Management Youth Groups 

Please contact Nabhinandan Das on +44 7545 318 772 or Sachin Bagla on +44 7956 169 35 **6** 

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## MANDIR MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE 


_Sachin Bagla Committee Chair & Mandir Manager_ 


_Anil Idnani Finance_ 


_Bhavesh Jhaveri Health and Safety_ 


_Haresh Shah Strategy & Future Projects_ 


_Henna Idnani Charitable Initiatives_ 


_Dr Jyoti Rathore PR, Cultural & Prasad_ 


_Dr Rajesha Rathod PR, Cultural Events_ 


_Kanchan Sharma Wellbeing , Community Liaison_ 


_Manisha Agarwal Prasad_ 

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_Monika Gupta Insurance Matters_ 


_Priti Sudra Children’s Education_ 


_Suraj Kanoo Finance_ 


_Nimit Sishodia Leela / Drama Production_ 


_Rajiv Dama Trustee Representation_ 


_Sanjana Idnani Youth Engagement_ 


_Pilkesh Shah New Bhakti Initiatives_ 


_Ravi Sekhar Sustainability_ 


_Alok Singh IT and Media_ 

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## CROYDON HOMELESS SEVA 

_by Rathiesh Baskaran_ 

The concept of selfless service (seva) is fundamental in Hinduism as it is believed that God has an interest in the well-being of others and is considered as an essential devotional practice of indirectly serving God and living a spiritual life benefiting both self and others, without expecting anything in return. 

According to the Puranas, it is believed that seva is the highest form of dharma and is said to provide good karma which facilitates the soul to attain moksha. 


2023 was another successful year of LIVE and Night Watch Croydon providing hot meals, clothes and blankets to the homeless within Croydon. 

Last year we successfully increased the frequency of providing the seva, as there were a few instances we managed to do the seva on special occasions such as Diwali, New Year’s Eve and akshaya tritiya. We also managed to do the seva on the request of some devotees and volunteers to celebrate special occasions such as birthdays and anniversaries. 

For  Seva done during Diwali, we displayed artwork done by children, and encouraged clients to light a Diya and make a wish to Krishna as is traditionally 

done. The New Year’s Eve seva was a very special as we managed to collect clothes, blankets, gloves, scarves, and hats from all the devotees from the Mandir to be handed out when the food was distributed amongst the homeless. 

The team of volunteers have grown in numbers, thanks to the hard work and dedication of the current volunteers, who have spread the word of the great work we do amongst the devotees of the Mandir and managed to arrange this wonderful collaboration with the Night Watch Croydon to help our local community. 

With the usual items such as freshwater bottles, boxed juices, fresh fruits, crisp, energy bars and biscuits donated by the devotees, the clients are also given a hot meal and the occasional treat of freshly baked cakes and muffins. The food handed out during the seva is well received and enjoyed by the clients and the thanks and praise they give is heartwarming. 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the volunteers who cook the wonderful meals and everyone who has given us a helping hand from collecting the items, packing the meals and distributing the food bags to the clients and making this programme successful. 

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The thanks and praise we receive from the clients who receive the food cannot be described using words and we wish everyone to experience it by taking part in the programme. We hope to expand by, 

- Collecting more food items such as crisps, biscuits and energy bars to be distributed during the seva. 

- Collecting items such as rice, tinned vegetables to cook the food. 

I have been contributing to the programme for some time and since 2022 I have been regularly volunteering when time permits me, and it has been an immense pleasure to meet new individuals each time during the seva and it is awe inspiring to witness the dedication of the volunteers of to help out individuals who are in need of help. 

- Collecting more winter clothes and toiletries to donate during winter. 

- Increasing the frequency of the seva to at least twice a month so everyone can take part. 


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## SANATANA DHARMA PRESENTATIONS TO SCHOOLS 

**In 2023, LIVE gave presentations to schools in South London and surrounding areas and the results were as follows:** 


**----- Start of picture text -----**<br>
School<br>Presentations 2023 2022<br>Number of schools  176   82<br>Assemblies in schools  146   76<br>Workshops in schools  65   40<br>School visits to the<br>Mandir  8   2<br>Number of children/<br>teachers presented<br>to  44,002  23,310<br>Ram Lila dramas<br>performed  67   45<br>Donations received £1,969  £1385<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


These presentations are very core to the mission of LIVE and they were very well received both by the children and the adults. The Ramayana dramas in particular were very popular; giving children the opportunity to dress up in the provided costumes and perform a role play of the main characters of Ramayana, including Lord Rama, Sitadevi and Hanuman. Sharing our tradition with others in this way always proves to be a very meaningful and fulfilling experience. 

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**Some of the kind feedback we have received from the schools are as follows:** 

## “Dear Nabhi, 

Thank you so much for a wonderful Holi festival assembly yesterday.  The children really enjoyed it.  I have asked the office to send your institute a voluntary contribution. 

I also wanted to express my thanks and appreciation for the wonderful year 4 trip to visit your Mandir in February. The children had an amazing time and learnt so much. I had a number of the staff come up to tell me that it was one of the best school trips they have ever done!  Everyone really enjoyed it. 

Have a wonderful time celebrating Holi and I look forward to seeing you soon. 

## Cath Hillman 

Culvers House Primary School 20th March 2023 

## Hi Nabhi, 

It was lovely to meet you yesterday. Thank you so much for delivering such an informative assembly and a fun workshop for year 2. The whole afternoon enriched the children's learning and deepened their understanding. 

We would love to welcome you to deliver an assembly and workshop for Holi on 15th March. It certainly sounds very exciting. 

Kind regards, 

## Charlotte Wheatland 

Research & Development Lead Stanley Park Infants' School 16th November 2023 

25 




## **School programmes at the Mandir** 

The Mandir is open to welcome schools from the local area to come and visit. In 2023 eight schools visited the Mandir and were shown a presentation on Sanatana Dharma, which included the following: 

- How to enter the Mandir (taking off shoes) 

- Introducing them to the Deities 

- Demonstration of Aarti and its purpose 

- Yoga and pranayama exercises chanting Aum 

- Chanting the Hare Krishna MahaMantra and dancing 

Each child is also offered prasad (a blessed piece of fruit) which is always kindly donated by members of the community. 

## **Aspirations for 2024:** 

- LIVE aims to visit and make presentations to 200 schools this year 

- LIVE to set up a network of presenters of Sanatan Dharma to schools 

- LIVE will continue to attempt to draft a book which can be distributed to school children about the basic principles of Sanatana Dharma 

26 



## LIVE CHILDREN’S SERVICES 

_by Priti Sudra_ 

## **Krishna Children Sanga Report 2023** 

## **26 week Sanatan Dharam course** 

- Top attendance: Hari & Himal Parmer (8 yrs) and Mahek Bhagat (10 yrs) 

- Special mention for participation: Hari Parmar (8 years), Himal Parmar (8), Aarav Mittal (7), Hiya Chauhan (8), Praneeth Kashyap (7), Shaivi Shukla (9), Harit Jaganath Dokua (8), Leeya Bhatt (9), Heeyan Bhatt (7) 

Sangas registered number: 44 

Average number of attendees per week: 17 

## **Topics** 

- 1) Finishing 26 week Sanatan Dharma course 

## **Quiz winners** 

   - Older group: Harit Jaganath Dokua, Shaivi Shukla, Mahek Bhagat 

   - Younger group: Gour Govind & Radharani Mishra, Dakshesh Uppalapati, Heeyan Bhatt 

- a.  52 students took part 

- b.  Average no. of attendees per class: 15 

- c.  Certificate for those who 

## **26 week Bhagavad Gita course** 

   - attendance was > 60%  = 8 

- 2) Shiva 

- 3) Holi 

## 4) Saints of Bharat inc: 

- a.  Sri Adi Shankaracharya 

- b.  Sri Ramunujacharya 

- c.  Sri Madhvacharya 

      - Top attendance: Aanya Sharma (13 yrs) and Teekshana Ambati (13 yrs). 

      - Special mention for participation: Aarav Mittal (8), Mishika Mehta (8), Pranav Esari (10), Priyanjai Perkash (8), Raybonto Sen (12). 

   - d.  Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu 

- 5) Bhagavad Gita – 26 week course 

   - a.  92 Students took part 

   - b.  Average number of attendees per class: 21 

   - c.  Certificate for those who attendance was 60%  = 9 

- 6) Kartik month 

- 7) Damodar Lila 

- 8) Ramayana pastimes commenced. 

   - a.  Average no. attendees (since series began): 6 

## **Quiz winners** 

- Older group: Pranav Esari, Raybonto Sen, Teekshitha Ambati 

Special mention for Kishori and Ishwari for their consistent attendance and also for preparing the quizzes for the Bhagavad Gita course every week. Their sweet singing of bhajans and spiritual enquiries was really appreciated. 

27 




## **Special thanks** 

Kishori (aged 13) and Ishvari (14) have been attending the online Children Sanga for a number of years. They are both homeschooled by their mother and father and have exceptional intelligence. 

They have both truly excelled in their participation in the classes by singing beautiful bhajans and also asking many questions during the classes. 

This was great fun for the children. 

At every session they would also have many questions which they would ask very humbly. These questions were highly intelligent and showed that they have a deep understanding of Sanatana Dharma at such a tender age. 

For the 26 weeks Bhagavad Gita course for children they produced quizzes for the children for every session on the various chapters of the Gita. They would also present the quizzes as well as the answers. 

28 



## **Online seminars** 

## **Sanatana Dharma course** 

In 2023 LIVE hosted 337 online sessions on Zoom. The table below shows the various subjects of the seminars in 2023 and 2022: 

An online course on the principles of Sanatana Dharma was again held and the following topics were presented: 

1. What is Sanatana dharma? / Vedic Scriptures 

|**2023**<br>**2022**|Scriptures<br>2.<br>Vedic conception of Time<br>3.<br>Ishwara (the Supreme lord)<br>4.<br>Jiva<br>5.<br>Karma and reincarnation<br>6.<br>The 3 modes of material nature (part 1<br>7.<br>The 3 modes of material nature (part 2<br>8.<br>Aspects of Godhead<br>9.<br>Yoga systems<br>10. 9 processes of Bhakti<br>11. Karma, jnana, astanga and Bhakti yoga<br>12. 9 steps of Bhakti yoga<br>13. Festivals<br>14. Dasavatars<br>15. Gods and demigods (part 1)<br>16. Gods and demigods (part 2)<br>17. 4 Yugas and methods of worship<br>18. 7 mothers/Gomata<br>19. Vedic Samskaras<br>20. Gangamata and her route<br>21. Ekadasi & the benefts of fasting<br>22. Varnasrama<br>23. Summary of Bhagavad Gita<br>24. Temple Etiquettes & meaning/purpose|
|---|---|
|Bhagavad Gita<br>59<br>53||
|Holy places in Bharat<br>57<br>31||
|Children Sanga<br>40<br>53||
|Sanatan Dharma<br>Course<br>38<br>32||
|Gopis/ Manjaris<br>28||
|Brahma Samhita<br>26<br>19||
|Srimad Bhagavatam<br>24<br>148||
|Appearance days of the<br>Lord & Vaisnavas<br>22<br>72||
|Damodara Satsangs<br>19<br>27||
|Ekadasi<br>10<br>18||
|Yoga<br>9<br>42||
|Abodes of Lord<br>4<br>-||
|Miscellaneous<br>1<br>6||
|Saptarishi<br>-<br>20||
|Devatas<br>-<br>20||
|Bhajans<br>3||
|**Total**<br>**337**<br>**544**||



6. The 3 modes of material nature (part 1) 

7. The 3 modes of material nature (part 2) 

24. Temple Etiquettes & meaning/purpose of Arati 

All the hundreds of seminars are uploaded on YouTube and together with the related seminar notes, we intend to construct a Vedic library on LIVE’s website (liveveda.org. uk) by the end of 2024. 

29 



## GOVERDHAN INSTITUTE FOR VEDIC EDUCATION (“GIVE”) 

by Trikalajna Das 

30 



## **What is GIVE?** 

The GIVE Trust aims to serve the Brajwasis (“residents of Vrindavan”) in all possible ways and to address the various issues faced by them.  Serving Brajwasis is considered as good as serving Radha and Krishna. In collaboration with the London Institute of Vedic Education, GIVE has been able to serve in 2023 in the following activities: 


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## **Sponsoring Gopis (Brajwasi girls)** 

In 2023 GIVE sponsored 367 girls (“gopis”) across Braj (which includes schools in Vrindavan, Barsana, Govardhan, Chatikara etc). £200 per Gopi covers the school’s tuition fees along with books, stationary and school uniforms for the full academic year. 

GIVE uses a detailed student selection process to ensure that the gopis that require the most help get the assistance, and also monitors the progress of the students through meetings with parents, school teachers and principals on a regular basis. 

GIVE encourages the gopis to also learn Vedic knowledge by learning and reciting Bhagavat Gita skolas, chanting the Hare Krishna Mahamantra and attending kirtan programs and spiritual lectures. 

In 2024, 30 of our gopis will go onto higher education (to become doctors, lawyers etc). The educational fees for the higher education ranges from £500 to £1750 per year. Around 37 gopis may not continue with the education due to family and social pressures. 


## **Installation of Water Wells and Forest Restoration** 

In nearly 500 villages in Braj, there is a scarcity of clean water fit for drinking. Furthermore, due to a lack of resources, there are not enough water pumps to meet the villagers' needs. 

So far, GIVE has installed 70 water pumps and planted more than 1500 trees in Sudevi sakhis dham, Champak lata sakhis dham and in Vrindavan dham. 




32 



## **Supporting Small Gaushalas (cowsheds)** 

Based on our previous experience, in small gaushalas (with not more than 10 cows) the cows are cared for in much better conditions compared to big gaushalas having thousands of cows. 

GIVE supports 13 such small gaushalas in Braj region. We also train individuals interested in learning how to milk mother cow and how to nurture her as well as take care of her generally. 



## **Adopted cows** 

Donors also have the opportunity to donate Desi cows to the Goshala’s run by the poor Brajabasis or to the Brahmins of Braja. 

During the year, 5 pure breed desi cows were donated and some of these cows have even given birth to calves – actually one cow gave birth to a set of twin calves . 

The Desi Cows can cost from INR 70000 (approximately £700) onwards depending on the age and health of the cows. 



33 



## **Floods in Vrindavan,** 




In 2023, several floodings occurred in Vrindavan where the Yamuna overflowed. 

For 6 weeks GIVE volunteers gave hot meals and medicine daily to the victims of flood. There were 6 active teams serving the needy of which two teams were doing service on boats reaching out to the flood victims. Many victims were stuck on high storey buildings and the teams reached out to them with much needed meals, water, medicine and clothing. 

to resettle providing them with the basic necessities of life including kitchen wear, household items and ration and clothes. 

## **Ration and Food Distribution** 

As reported previously, due to extreme poor financial conditions, some villagers find it difficult to feed their children a healthy and nutritious diet. GIVE provides basic ration kits to such families. 

GIVE sponsors food and prasadam distribution on a regular basis. 

GIVE also does food distribution on special occasions and tithis (like birthdays, shraddha etc) to brahmins and sadhus. 



Cows were moved to safer zone and feed and water was supplied to them until the floods subsided. 

After the floods we helped the victims 

34 






## **Distribution of Blankets and Medical Assistance** 

GIVE distributed around 5500 blankets over the last 3 years to the poor in the Braj region. Due to lack of medical facilities in villages, GIVE distributed hundreds of First Aid kits as well as sponsoring several medical operations and treatments of poor Brajwasis and sadhus. 




35 



## **Restoration of Ancient Temples and Places of Worship in Braj** 


With the blessings of the saints of Braj, Vinod Baba, Ramesh Baba, Balarama Baba, Padmanabh Goswamiji, Achyutalal Bhattaji and many others, GIVE has formed an international research team to restore the historical spiritual places in Braj. Presently, the team is working on establishing places of pastimes of Lord Chaitanya in Braj. All such locations will be blessed by placing the padukas of Lord Chaitanya for the benefit of all the pilgrims. 

GIVE is sponsoring the building of a Temple for Lord Shiva which is currently under construction in Duda Colony for the poor residents. 

## **Weddings** 


As described in the previous year’s Annual Report, Vedic marriages are a big part of our colourful and meaningful tradition. However weddings are often a financial challenge for some families even if they do the best minimum exchanges. The GIVE team ethically scrutinises the financial situation of those who request assistance and contributes either partially or fully depending on their circumstances. A simple marriage can cost up to Rs 3 lakhs. 

During the year, GIVE assisted with the costs of several weddings of poor Brajwasis couples. 


36 



## **Special thanks** 


We take this opportunity to thank Rekhaben and the Vishnu Bhagawan Bhajan Mandal for consistently participating in all our activities by encouraging more donors to come forward as well as participating in person when they visit Vrindavan . 

If you would like to donate to any of these causes the bank details are as follows: 

Bank Name: Axis Bank CA - A/C No: 922020013162565 A/C Holder Name: Govardhan Institute for Vedic Education IFSC CODE: UTIB0000794 IBAN/Swift code: AXISINBB086 (Instead IBAN code INDIA use a Swift Code only SOL ID: 794, 

Bank Address: Chhatikara Road. Near Nandan Van Colony, Vrindavan Registered Offices: 71 Madhuvan Colony, Off Sunrakh Road, Vrindavan, UP (281121) 

## **Focus for 2024 are to:** 

- Maintain the number of gopis it sponsors for educational purposes. 

- Install 108 water wells 

- Restore many mini lakes 

- Maintain our assistance for the 13 gaushalas 

- Make available the opportunity to donate cows as recommended by Garuda Purana 

- Organise monthly distribution of provisions to the needy families in Braj 

- Distribute thousands of blankets to the needy 

- Seek out further important places to renovate 

- Set up a Medical clinic in Sunrakh village, just on the outskirts of Vrindavan, to provide facilities for the underprivileged residents. A group of doctors from UK and USA are planning to come at frequent intervals to provide specialised services. 

37 



## DWIPA INSTITUTE FOR VEDIC EDUCATION (“DIVE”) 

by Sanjoy Roy 

## **The concept behind DIVE:** 

Dwipa Institute for Vedic Education (“DIVE”) was formed in 2022 as a duly registered NGO by Sanjoy Roy and Manideep Rana in collaboration with the London Institute of Vedic Education. Some of the objectives of DIVE are to: 

   - provide aid to students, scholars and teachers for the purpose of and towards imparting traditional Vedic education, value and moral system. 

   - establish and encourage VedaPathasalas, Gurukulas and home schooling. 

- promote traditional education based on Vedic principles, 

- promote concepts and curriculum of Vedic and traditional education system for the benefit of the public at large without any discrimination of caste, creed, religion or sex. 

- institute studentship, scholarships, stipends, medals and prizes to help and encourage deserving students 

**Donations are gratefully received for our important charity work at the following account:** 

**Dwipa Institute for Vedic Education Foundation Account No 922010032304318 AXIS BANK...KRISHNANAGAR IFS CODE...UTIB0000237** 

38 



## **DIVE's Achievements in 2023** 

- Sponsored 51 students through the education system in Mayapur 

- Held Vedic Classes for children every 2 weeks 

- Distributed 35 colouring books and held colouring competitions 

- Distributed 100 plates cooked prasadam to children 

## **Aspirations for 2024:** 

- Assist street children in Krishna Nagar: In Krishna Nagar, near the railway station, there are 30 street children (ranging in age from 4 to 12 years) who not only do not go to school but also are unable to get a decent meal a day. 

- There is a very kind and generous lady Uma Talukdar who comes three days a week to assist these children in their learning (see picture). 

- In 2024, DIVE will work with this lady to deliver regular prasad to these children as well as facilitate the education of the children so that in due course they will be able to attend schools. 

- Medical Aid: DIVE also wants to provide medical aid to these children who are living in Shantis near the railway tracks. 

## **Case Study** 

- Dasi _(name altered to keep anonymity)_ was born in Bangladesh in a Hindu family. She sought shelter to India due to religious prosecution in 2012. 

- At the tender age of 11 years, she was abused and taken away from her parents. She was also put in a juvenile jail for speaking up against her abuser. Her parents were also put in jail by that abuser to hush up the case. 

- Sanjoy intervened at that time and stood by her family all along supporting the girl child legally and financially. Even after suffering all these horrific events, she never gave up on her life and continued to study under such challenging circumstances. Along with her academic achievements in school she with her family successfully fought legal battles in court and managed to put the paedophile abuser behind bars. 

- With help from DIVE, she also graduated from college at the top of her class with a degree in Political Science Honours from Calcutta University. 

- She wants to pursue law (LLB) and become a lawyer to help other children with regards their safety, providing justice and also to assist DIVE in its charitable activities. 

- She is qualified to receive 50% sponsorship to do LLB at a prestigious University in Kolkata. Sponsorship required to complete studies for the entire 3-year course is £4000 which DIVE will endeavour to sponsor through its network of donors. 

39 



SRI LANKA
by Selvan

## **Achievements in 2023** 

- House & School program are held weekly where a reading of Bhagavad Gita & Srimad Bhagavatam is done for the children and the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra chanting is chanted and Prasadam is served. These were for schools in villages in  Chenkalady _(84 children)_ & Mayliambaveli _(65 children)_ 

- a sound system for one of the schools 

- children books, school bags, note books, pencil cases, coloring pencils 

- Hareny (Selvan’s daughter) collected £300 on GoFundMe for the children to have a day out. They never go out of the village 

## **Aspirations for 2024** 


We want to continue with supporting the projects in Poonakary + 2 schools in Batticaloa Sunday home programs and helping individual families with their children’s school expenses. 


41 



## 7 WEEK BHARAT YATRA **August 2023 – September 2023** 

_Preetinder Chagger_ 

This Yatra for me was the King of all Yatras _(so far)_ for the sole reason of the number of holy places I had visited and took darshan of. Below is a brief overview of the places we visited. 

## **Mayapur, West Bengal** 

Here we visited the ISKCON complex, TOVP, Yogapitha, Srivasa Angan, Advaita Bhavan, Gadhara Angan, Jaganath Temple, Navadwip, Jaganath Das Babji Samadhi, Gaur Kishor Das Babaji Bhajan Kutir, and Hari Har and had a snan _(swim)_ in the Ganga and a boat ride. 


_Gatekeeper at entrance of TOVP_ 


_Yogapitha, tree under which Lord Chaitanya appeared in 1486AD_ 


_Temple of Hari Har (combined form of Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva) near Mayapur_ 

42 




_Radha Kund in Mayapur_ 


_Bathing in Ganga Mai in Mayapur during a sunset and remembering the Golden Avtar._ 

## **Ganga Sagar** _**(where Ganga Mata enters the Bay of Bengal sea)**_ 

Gangasagar is a place of beauty as well as religious importance. Home to some of the most stunning beaches, it is famous for hosting the Gangasagar Mela, one of the most hallowed pilgrimages in the world. During the mela days, the island becomes a melting pot of culture and belief. 


_Ferry to take us from mainland Kolkata to Ganga Sagar where the Ganga meets the bay of Bengal_ 


_The beach at Ganga Sagar where Ganga meets the ocean. Kapil Muni’s ashram is near the beach. On Makar Sankranti a huge mela takes place here every year._ 

## **Puri, Jaganath Mandir** 

The main place to visit in Puri is the Jaganath Mandir which was established the 10th century. Puri is famous for the Rath Yatra which attracts millions of devotees. It was the Lords blessings that we could visit Purshottam Kshetra (Puri) during the month of Purshottam. 

43 




_Evening view of the Jaganath Temple taken from Grand Hotel opposite the temple_ 


_Outside of the Gundica temple(this is his parents house) where Lord Jagannath stays for 1 week after Rathyatra._ 


_The group in Siddha Bakul, the place where Haridas Thakur’s bhajan kutir is located_ 


_Ancient temple of Lord Narasimha located near the Gundica temple_ 

We stayed in Puri for 5 days and other places we visited were Bhaktisidhanta birth place, Gaudiya Math, Narasimha temple, Gundica temple, Indradyumna tank, ISKCON, Haridas Samadhi, Tota Gopinath temple, Kashi Misra’s house, Haridas Thakur samadhi, Gambhira, Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya’s house, Konark, Alarnath, Bhubaneshwar 


_The beach outside our hotel in Puri. Lord Chaitanya bathed in the sea here._ 

44 



## **Konark Sun Temple** 


_View of the sun temple at Konark. This is no_ 

_longer operating as a temple ._ 


**Next stop was Visakapatnam, for Simhachalan** _**(famous and magnificent temple of Varaha Nrshimha)**_ 


_The magnificent temple of Varaha Nrshimha_ 

_Vew of a wheel on the structure of the temple representing the chariot of Suya dev_ 


_Alaranath, temple where Lord Chaintanya’s body melted the stone when he paid_ 

_obeisances_ 

45 



## **Next was Ahobilam, the appearance place of Nrshima Dev** 

Ahobilam is the place where Lord Vishnu in the form of Narasimha killed the Rakshasa Hiranyakashipu in order to save his devotee Prahlada. It is truly glorious holy place where there nine main temples of  Narasimha and it is a place where devotees do not often get a chance to visit as it is so far of the beaten track. 


_Map of all the 9 temples of Narasimha Dev in Ahobilam_ 


_Jwala Nrshimha temple, which is the highest temple near the Ugra Stamba_ 


_View of Ugra Stambha which is the pillar that Lord Narasimha came out of to kill Hiranyakasipu_ 

We stayed for 2 days in Ahobilam trekking upper Ahobilam 1 day and lower Ahobilam the 2nd day. This was a very exciting part of the Yatra as we had to walk up and down mountains full of natural beauty like forests, water falls and streams. As mysterious is Narasimha Dev Bhagavan is so too is this Ahobilam Dham 


_Devotees trekking in Upper Ahobilam._ 

46 



## **Next stop was Tirupati the home of the famous Balaji Temple, a 6 hour car journey from Ahobilam.** 

The city is home to the important shrine of Tirumala Venkateshwara Temple and other historic temples. It is one of the eight Svayam vyakta kshetras (Self-Manifested Temples) dedicated to Vishnu. 

## **Balaji Temple, Tirupati** 



## **Kanchipuram** 

From Tirupati we travelled to Kanchipuram, famous for Kamakshi Amman Temple, Kailasanatha Temple and Ekambareswarar Temple 

Known as the City of Thousand Temples, Kanchipuram is known for its temple architectures, 1000-pillared halls, huge temple towers and silk saris. 


_Outside view of the temple dedicated. The_ 

_Kanchi Kailasanathar temple is the oldest structure in Kanchipuram dedicated to Lord Shiva. The Shiva lingam in this temple is 10 feet high._ 

## **Trichy** 

Trichy is near famous Srirangam temple, known for being home to the vast Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple, one of the largest in India with 81 shrines spanning 63 hectares 

_View of the Balaji temple in Tirupati and murti of Balaji_ 

47 




_Outside view of the Ranganath Swamy temple in Srirangam_ 

Huge murti of Maha Vishnu lying on Anant Sesa. This murti has to be viewed through 3 different windows to see the head, the navel and the feet of Maha Vishnu. 


_Ranganath Swamy_ 

## **Rameswaram** 

We travelled to Rameswaram, famous for Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple (with 18 wells with waters from different rivers). Rameswaram is associated with Lord Rama, who left the Bharatiya mainland to rescue his wife, Goddess Sita, from the clutches of Ravana, who had taken her to Sri Lanka. A stone's throw from Rameswaram lies Dhanushkodi that has been endowed with magical natural beauty. 


_Hall leading to the temple and the 18 wells. Each well has water from a holy river in Bharat._ 

## **Kothandaramaswamy Temple** _**(Vibhisana met Rama here)**_ 


_The Five-Faced Hanuman Temple (Panchamukhi Hanuman)_ 

48 




_Vilonia Tirtham, Agni Theertham, Dhanuskodi Beach (where the Ram Setu [bridge] was started and some of the floating stones are still there with one on my head!)._ 

## **Southern tip of Bharat, Kanyakumari** 

We travelled to the tip of Bharat, Kanyakumari next, famous for Vivekananda Rock.,its unique sunrise and sunset points, the 41-metre (133 ft) Thiruvalluvar Statue, and Vivekananda Rock Memorial off the coast. 


_View of Vivekananda Rock_ 


_Sunset at Kanyakumari_ 

## **Next was Kovalam (Trivandarum) to visit the Padmanabhswamy Temple** 

The Padmanabhaswamy Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of the state of Kerala, India. It is one of the 108 Divya Desams, which are considered the sacred abodes of Vishnu in the Sri Vaishnava tradition. 


_Outside view of Padmanabh Swamy Temple_ 

49 



## **Udupi, the home of Madhvacharyas Math** 

The next place we visited was Udupi, the home of Madhvacharyas Math and the Udupi Krishna temple. 


_View of lake on the complex of the Madvachrya’s math_ 


_Entrance to the Udupi Krishna Temple_ 

Final stop in South Bharat was Bengaluru. We spent 2 days here celebrating Janmastmi . We flew from Bengakuru to Delhi to catch a train to Haridwar. 

## **Haridwar** 

Located at the foothills of the Himalayas, Haridwar is a city of temples and ashrams. Haridwar is one of the four holy cities in Bharat that host the Kumbh Mela, a pious gathering of millions of Hindu devotees every 12 years. 


_Hari ki Pauri_ 

We took an overnight train to Haridwar where we stayed in a hotel by the Ganga for 2 nights. Haridwar is famous for Hari-kipauri, where drop of nectar fell and where poojas for ancestors takes place.  Haridwar is also known for the doorway to God (Hari) and funerals also take place on the bank of the Ganga here. 


_Statue of Lord Shiva near Hari-ki-pauri in the Ganga_ 

50 




_Rishikesh. Half an hour from Haridwar_ 

_where the famous Laxman Jula (bridge) and Ram Jula are located. Rishikesh is famous for its many ashrams of saints (rishis). The bridges are used to cross the Ganga from one side to another._ 


_On the way to Gangotri_ 

## **Top tip of Bharat, Gangotri** 

Our next stop was Gangotri, part of the Char Dham Yatra travelling in a traveller for 10 hours. 

The holy River Ganges originates from the Gangotri glacier, located here, and is called Bhagirathi. The main attraction in Gangotri is the Gangotri Temple, where 

Goddess Ganga is worshipped. This is the highest temple dedicated to Goddess Ganga. 

Our stay in Gangotri was for 2 days in a hotel by the Ganga right opposite the Ganga mata temple. 


_The river Ganga at Gangotri with the temple dedicated to Mother Ganga in the background_ 


_Sunrise at Gangotri_ 

51 




## _Waterfall in Gangotri, Uttarkashi_ 

Our journey back to Haridwar was via Uttarkashi where we stayed 1 night and visited the Vishwanath Temple and Shakti Temple. Uttarkasi, Kashi of the North, is famous for an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, which is visited by thousands throughout the year. 


## _Murti of Ganesh ouside Uttarkashi_ 

We took an overnight train from Haridwar to Mathura for Vrindavan 

## **Vrindavan** 

The holy town of Vrindavan, near Mathura is an important pilgrimage hub in Braj region where Lord Krishna spent his childhood. The name of Vrindavan comes from words 'vrinda', which means basil [Tulsi], and 'van' meaning forest. 

Our stay in Vrindavan was for 5 days where we visited the main temples, Goverdhan Parikram, Radha kund & Shyam Kund, Nangaon, Barsana, Gokul, Mathura, Raman Reti, Vrinda Kund, Yamuna and we met the Gopis/ children being sponsored by LIVE. 


_View of Madanmohan temple, one of the main 6 temples of Vrindavan, on the parikram marg_ 


_View of Radhakund, the most favourite kunds of Krishna, located in Goverdhan._ 

52 




_Murti of Radha Raman, the only original murti in Vrindavan_ 


_Vrinda Kund , where a temple of Vrinda (tulsi) devi is located_ 


_Barsana. Main temple of Radharani, where Radharani spent her childhood._ 


_Surrounded by children some of whose education is being sponsored by LIVE_ 

53 



## OUR ROUTES THROUGH BHARAT & SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS 

**Mayapur Ganga Sagar Puri, Jaganath Mandir Konark Sun Temple Visakapatnam Simhachalan Ahobilam Tirupati Balaji Temple, Tirupati Kanchipuram Trichy Rameswaram Kothandaramaswamy Temple Southern tip of Bharat, Kanyakumari Kovalam Udupi Haridwar Top tip of Bharat, Gangotri Vrindavan** 




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## MY SPIRITUAL JOURNEY TO INDIA 

## **SPECIFICALLY TO HONOUR MY ANCESTORS** 

_by Sam Kodua, South London_ 

**In January 2024, I embarked on a profound spiritual journey to India alongside Nabhinandan Das. Our purpose was twofold: to deepen our spiritual consciousness and to perform sacred rites for our departed ancestors and friends, guided by the ancient Vedic tradition of "PindaDan," which assists the eternal soul in its journey beyond.** 



Our journey began in Delhi, where we set forth towards Haridwar, a city revered as one of the holiest places on Earth. Upon arriving, we were enveloped by the spiritual energy that permeates this ancient city nestled by the sacred Ganga. Our first act was to bathe in the purifying waters of the Ganga, an experience that washed away more than physical impurities-it cleansed the soul. 


In Haridwar, we conducted the solemn "Pinda-Dan" ceremony, on the bank of the Ganga, a ritual of profound significance in Hindu traditions. This ceremony is believed to aid the departed souls in their spiritual transition. As we honoured our ancestors in this way, I felt a deep connection not only to my own lineage but also to the timeless spiritual heritage of India. 

Additionally, during our time in Haridwar, we seized the opportunity to engage in acts of seva (selfless service). We served meals to 500 pilgrims, offering them a nourishing plate of puri, halwa, and vegetable curry. This act of feeding pilgrims, known as "annadan," is considered highly auspicious in Hinduism, symbolising the spirit of selflessness and community. 


At Haridwar, we also witnessed the famous Ganga Arti which was an amazing spectacle of intense devotion to the holiest of rivers, Ganga. 


The experience was transformative. Each moment spent in Haridwar felt like a step deeper into the heart of India's spiritual legacy. The sights, sounds, and rituals enriched my understanding of the interconnectedness of life and death, the temporal and eternal. 

As we continued our journey to other sacred sites across India, including Rishikesh, and beyond, each step resonated with the echoes of centuries-old wisdom and devotion. Through these experiences, I felt a profound sense of fulfilment and a renewed commitment to honour not only 

57 



my ancestors but also the timeless wisdom that permeates the land of India, a land where spiritual seekers and pilgrims alike find solace and enlightenment. 

After our transformative experiences in Haridwar, we continued our spiritual odyssey to Prayagraj, a city steeped in ancient lore and spiritual significance. Here, we stood at the confluence of three sacred rivers - the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati, at a revered spot known as Triveni-Sangam. As we bathed in these holy waters, I was struck by the tangible contrast between the dark waters of the Yamuna and the shimmering golden currents of the Ganga. The Saraswati, though invisible to the eye, flowed beneath the surface, its presence felt in the depths of our spirits. 

From Prayagraj, our journey took us further eastward to Varanasi, the eternal city of Lord Shiva, where spirituality resonates in every corner. Our pilgrimage reached a pinnacle as we beheld the majestic Shivlinga at the renowned Kashi Vishwanath Mandir, freshly renovated and exuding an aura of divine grace. 

In Varanasi, amidst the labyrinthine lanes and ancient ghats, we discovered myriad temples. Among them, one temple stood out vividly in my memories, the temple within Benaras University, a splendid edifice where students are blessed with daily visions of the divine. Here, we witnessed the profound dedication of young followers of Sanatan Dharma as they conducted a poignant evening ceremony in honour of Mother Ganga, epitomizing the timeless bond between humanity and the sacred river. 


Each step of our journey through Prayagraj and Varanasi was a testament to the rich spiritual tapestry of India, a tapestry woven with threads of devotion, tradition, and the eternal quest for enlightenment. In these sacred cities, time seemed to blend, and the ancient rituals unfolded before us like chapters from a timeless scripture, imprinting upon our souls the essence of a spiritual legacy that transcends lifetimes. 

Leaving behind the spiritual enchantment of Varanasi, our next destination was Gaya, a place steeped in significance for honouring ancestors and performing sacred rites. This pilgrimage was deeply personal for me, as I sought to carry out the "Pinda-Dan" ceremony, a tradition revered in the Vedic scriptures and sanctified by Lord Chaitanya Himself, who performed this ritual for His father at this very site. 

In Gaya, we were blessed to encounter sincere and knowledgeable priests who guided us meticulously through the intricate processes of the ceremony. Following the Vedic rituals with devotion and precision, I felt a profound sense of 

58 




fulfilment in fulfilling my duties as a son, relative, and friend to my departed loved ones. It was a moment of deep connection and closure, knowing that I had played my part in assisting their onward journey. 

From Gaya, our spiritual expedition continued to Vrindavan, the sacred land of Lord Krishna. Here, surrounded by the timeless devotion and legends of Krishna's pastimes, we immersed ourselves in the vibrant atmosphere of devotion. Days were spent wandering through magnificent temples and absorbing the sanctity of this revered region. 

One of the memorable highlights in Vrindavan was witnessing the artistic and devotional ceremony dedicated to the holy river Yamuna. This sacred river, believed to be dear to Lord Krishna, holds a special place in the hearts of devotees. The ceremony was a symphony of devotion, a visual and spiritual spectacle that left an indelible impression on our hearts. 


Throughout this transformative journey, which was nourished by delicious prasad (vegetarian food) everywhere, I felt immense gratitude towards the devotees and priests who extended their support and guidance. Their wisdom and assistance not only enriched my spiritual experience but also reinforced my sense of purpose and fulfilment. Undertaking this sacred mission, guided by ancient traditions and surrounded by the spiritual energies of India's holy places, was a profound blessing, an odyssey that deepened my spiritual understanding and left an enduring imprint on my soul. 


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## FINANCIAL REPORT 

## **London Institute of Vedic Education, Year ended 31 December 2023** 

||**As at**|**As at**|
|---|---|---|
||**31.12.22**|**31.12.23**|
|**Assets**|||
|Loan to Live Temple Estates CIC|209,472|209,472|
|**Current Assets**|||
|Cash|2,359|18,975|
|**Current liabilities**|||
|Loan payable within 2 years|(119,000)|(84,610)|
||92,832|143,838|
|**Capital**|||
|Surplus income b/f|236,668|92,832|
|Surplus income in the year|(143,836)|51,006|
||92,832|143,838|



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## **Income & Expenditure** 

|**ncome & Expenditure**|||
|---|---|---|
|**Year ended**<br>**31.12.2022**<br>Book distribution/Candle sales<br>228<br>Refurbishment<br>86,740<br>The Mandir<br>5,931<br>Festivals<br>6,918<br>UK Tours<br>Tax rebate from HMRC<br>27,624<br>Bharat projects<br>133,104<br>Sri Lanka<br>1,553<br>International tours<br>9,130<br>Schools/Courses<br>2,269<br>**Total Income**<br>**273,497**<br>Stationary, school, DBS<br>1,368<br>Books<br>646<br>Insurance<br>716<br>Advertising/Communication<br>10,738<br>Bharat projects<br>150,376<br>Sri Lanka<br>2,076<br>Renovation<br>234,020<br>The Mandir<br>4,343<br>Festivals<br>1,853<br>UK Tours<br>International tours<br>9,130<br>Legal & compliance fees<br>1,428<br>Accountancy fees<br>600<br>Other<br>39<br>**Total Expenses**<br>**417,333**<br>**Surplus for the year**<br>**(143,836)**|**Year ended**<br>**31.12.2023**<br>-<br>1,100<br>49,588<br>2,507<br>8,991<br>69,034<br>213,341<br>5,534<br>59,725<br>3,600<br>**413,420**<br>981<br>-<br>679<br>6,394<br>255,161<br>5,437<br>5,560<br>19,670<br>935<br>7,837<br>59,133<br>28<br>600<br>-<br>**362,414**<br>**51,006**||
|||**413,420**<br>**362,414**|
|||**51,006**|



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## ACCOUNTANTS REPORT 

The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 43(2) of the Charities Act 1993 (the 1993 Act) and that an independent examination is needed. 

It is my responsibility to: 

- Examine the accounts under section 43 of the 1993 Act 

- Follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 43(7)(b) of the 1993 Act, and State whether particular matters have come to my attention. 

My examination was conducted in accordance with general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement to the right. 

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention 

1. Which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the requirements to keep accounting records in accordance with section 41 of the 1993 Act; and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 1993 Act have not been met ; or 

2. To which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. 


Cubed Consultancy Ltd 31st May 2024 

## **Note to the accounts** 

The Loan of £209,472 to Live Temple Estates CIC is made in order to acquire the building at 108-112 Chipstead Valley Road, Croydon CR5 3BA, which is the place of worship known as Sanatan Centre Coulsdon. 

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_**The installation of Gaura Nitai by Sri Joshi Prashanth Sharma**_ 

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**----- Start of picture text -----**<br>
D<br>ITU<br>E U<br>T T<br>C<br>S E<br>C<br>N<br>I A<br>I O<br>D T<br>F<br>I<br>A<br>E O<br>P<br>V<br>I<br>N<br>W<br>D<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


## **Contact Information:** 

@LondonInstituteofVedicEducation @London-institute-of-vedic-education @live.veda 

UK +44 7545 318772 (Nabhinandan Das) UK +44 7956 169356 (Sachin Bagla) India +91 78959 22693 (Trikalajna Das - Vrindavan) India +91 99338 49820 (Sanjoy Roy - Mayapur) 

**Email:** info@liveveda.org.uk **Website:** www.liveveda.org.uk 

Presentation of Sanatan Dharma at the Mandir, 108 Chipstead Valley Road, Coulsdon, CR5 3BA, to pupils from Fairchildes Prmary School. The children are having darshan of Radhe Shyam and Sita, Rama, Lakhsman, Hanuman. 


**----- Start of picture text -----**<br>
D<br>N I<br>E U<br>A NS<br>C C<br>H T<br>A<br>I<br>I<br>D<br>T<br>T<br>D<br>R<br>I<br>U<br>E O<br>E T<br>V<br>V E<br>N<br>O O<br>G F<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>