Tree planted in Avenham Park to mark His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s birth centenary

Mayor Neil Darby at the tree planting for His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj — Mayor Neil Darby was special guest at the tree planting ceremony

Preston City Council has marked the birth anniversary of His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj – creator of the iconic Neasden Temple in London – with a special tribute of planting a tree.

This contribution added to the international year-long celebrations of Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s centennial birth anniversary.

A tree was planted near the Belvedere at the top of Avenham Park during a ceremony earlier this month with guests of honour the Mayor of Preston, Councillor Neil Darby, and the Mayor’s consort, Dan Leung.

The event was attended by CEO of Preston City Council Adrian Phillips, and Leader of Preston City Council Councillor Matthew Brown, plus various other councillors, council workers, and well wishers.

Preston City Council representatives at the tree planting — Preston City Council representatives attended the ceremony

Neetal Parekh MBE, Hindu Representative on Preston Faith Covenant and a volunteer at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Preston, said: “Trees are wondrous in that they give us clean air to breathe, shade and food. They are of spiritual, cultural and recreational importance to the whole of society.

“Planting this tree is a delightful way to celebrate the life of Pramukh Swami Maharaj, who lived by the maxim ‘in the joy of others lies our own’. We truly thank Preston City Council for this kind gesture.”