Rishi Sunak and his wife celebrated the festival of Janmashtami at Bhaktivedanta Manor in Hertfordshire, near London. Mr. Sunak and his family have made visits to the temple in the past. Today, Mr. and Mrs. Sunak were welcomed with the customary tradition of the blowing of a conch shell, and they were garlanded before they toured the Temple, which was donated by George Harrison of the Beatles. The couple were greeted by Her Grace Visakha Dasi, the temple president, who said “We invite everyone to experience the hospitality of Bhaktivedanta Manor and the spiritual oasis it offers all our guests”

Rishi Sunak with Srila Prabhupada Murti

On August 19th and 21st, the Bhaktivedanta Manor will host the largest celebration of this kind outside India to celebrate the advent of Lord Krishna, culminating with a concert with a George Harrison tribute band.

This event will include an ancient forest walk and the re-creation of the beautiful ‘Vrindavan forests’ where Krishna played as a young boy. But most visitors come to experience the peace offered by the 78 acres of the Manor’s gardens, lake, and shrine. Children are delighted by the Manor’s unique playground.

Mr. Sunak addressed some of the 1,200 volunteers who will be helping at the festival. Kaushik Patel, one of the volunteers, comments: “I come to serve the thousands of pilgrims with my whole family including my 86-year-old mother.”

Mr. and Mrs. Sunak with sacred cow at Bhaktivedanta Manor

Mr. Sunak said “It’s been a tough campaign, but during the most difficult times I’ve been given the teachings of the Gita, and it’s been the Gita that’s given me the strength to keep fighting for the things I believe in”

His visit culminated in feeding the cows. The Manor has 65 Meuse Rhine Issel cows at what’s been described as the ‘Hilton’ of dairy farms, which promotes the lifelong welfare of cows and bulls as well as compassionate farming techniques.

Links to Bhaktivedanta Manor’s Social Media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bhaktivedantamanor

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/BhaktivedantaManor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bhaktivedanta_manor/

Youtube LiveStream: https://www.youtube.com/user/ManorRecordings