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MEMORABLE COACH TRIP TO SKANDA VALE MANDIR, WALES

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Click Photo Album No 71 - PPA Leicester Mahila Mandal Wales Trip

MEMORABLE COACH TRIP

Mrs Narmada Vrajlal Pattni, Luton

I would like to share my experiences of visit to Mataji’s Mandir in Wales organised by the PPA Leicester Mahila Mandal.

This much awaited trip to the Mandir took place last month. There was a tremendous response from all the Mahilas of Leicester, senior as well as young.

The coach departed on time at midnight. Leicester Mahilas and the volunteers worked non-stop to ensure our visit was most enjoyable and comfortable. Mandal ladies kept a constant supply of food and drinks for the entire journey and nobody was left wanting.

Skanda Vale is an Ashram covering 120 acres of beautiful wood and farmland. It was founded in 1973 on the worship of God in accordance with the spiritual teachings of Lord Krishna as in the Bhagavad-Gita.

Lord Ranganatha (Lord Vishnu) and Lord Brahma

Skanda Vale comprises three separate Temples, one dedicated to Lord Subramanium (Lord Murugan), one dedicated to Maha Shakti, the Mother aspect of God and one dedicated to Lord Ranganatha (Lord Vishnu), the Preserver in all his aspects.

The temple has become one of the most popular and sacred pilgrim spot for the Hindus in the UK. What began as a trickle of devotees travelling to a secluded part of South Wales on pilgrimage 32 years ago now attracts over 90,000 visitors each year.

Pilgrims taking lunch (prashad)

Upon our arrival, Mahila Mandal volunteers made sure each of us had the opportunity to perform darshan and were shown around the beautiful temple. There was an elaborate arti which lasted two hours. The atmosphere was absolutely divine. After moments of solitude, everyone still reflecting their thoughts on the beautiful temples and the heart warming darshan, we headed back to our coach for the return journey home.

On behalf of the group who visited, I would like to thank the organisers for managing a joyous trip - and all this for just Ł25, which included prasad, agarbati, and the driver’s tip!!

I would especially like to thank all the PPA Leicester Mahila Mandal members for their sterling effort. Hats off to all of Mahilas. It was truly a memorable experience enjoyed by all.