Some journeys in life are not planned by us — they are planned by the Divine. My visit to the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in London is one such unforgettable memory, where I felt the invisible hand of Shree Krishna guiding my steps.
A Lifelong Devotion to Shree Krishna
For as long as I can remember, my heart has always belonged to Shree Krishna. Whether it’s the soulful bhajans at ISKCON temples, the divinity of BAPS mandirs, or any sacred place where I can glimpse His murti, I feel an unexplainable pull to be there.
I often sit quietly in front of Him, with no demands, no expectations — only a desire to connect. In those moments, I feel peace and joy unlike anything else.
The Unplanned Turn in London
Last year, during my time in London, something extraordinary happened. We had planned to meet someone, but due to my phone being switched off, I couldn’t be reached. This caused a delay, and the meeting didn’t go as scheduled.
At first, it felt like a simple inconvenience, but soon I realized it was part of Shree Krishna’s larger plan. The person we were meant to meet asked us instead to join them at the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in London.
To me, this was no coincidence — it was as if Shree Krishna Himself had invited me to His temple.
A Warm Welcome and a Divine Opportunity
At the temple, we were warmly welcomed by Shree Mahendra Sinh C. Jadedja Ji (Dada). He graciously showed us around and introduced us to Shree Swamiji.
Then came the most divine moment of all — I was given the sacred opportunity to perform the Abhishek of Shree Krishna with jal (water).
Standing before Him, pouring water with devotion, I felt waves of peace and joy wash over me. It was as if time stood still. My heart was overflowing with gratitude, and I realized that this was not just a ritual — it was a once-in-a-lifetime chance to connect with Shree Krishna in the purest way.
The Blessing of Wisdom –
Transcendence
After the darshan, Swamiji personally showed us the entire temple. As a blessing, he gifted us the book “Transcendence.”
This book holds deep spiritual and historical significance. It was authored by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, who personally presented it to HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj at the Swaminarayan Mandir in Sarangpur. The book beautifully documents Dr. Kalam’s 14-year spiritual journey and experiences with Swamiji, blending science, spirituality, and faith.
Receiving this book felt like another message from Shree Krishna — a reminder that devotion is not only about prayer but also about wisdom, learning, and living with humility.
Prasadam and Eternal Happiness
After the darshan and blessings, we shared the temple’s prasadam — simple, sacred, and full of divine grace. That moment completed the experience, leaving me with a deep sense of fulfillment.
Even today, whenever I think about that day at the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in London, my heart feels the same joy. It was more than a temple visit — it was Shree Krishna’s personal invitation, a reminder of His eternal presence in my life.
Not only was this divine experience mine alone, but I was also blessed to be accompanied by very experienced and respected seniors — Shree Santosh Shukla Ji, Shree Mahendra Jadedja Ji, Dr. Oravanthuruthi Krishnankutty Rajagopalan Ji, and Anupam Tiwari Ji. Sharing those sacred moments with such esteemed personalities made the experience even more profound and memorable.
Whenever I get the chance, I revisit the temple during my time in London. Each visit brings back that same sense of divine connection and inner peace.
Final Reflections
Faith often teaches us that the Divine works in mysterious ways. Sometimes, the delays, the changes in plans, or the unexpected detours are not accidents — they are God’s way of guiding us to where we truly belong.
My experience at the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple was one such moment — unplanned, yet divinely orchestrated. It reminded me that Shree Krishna is always with us, watching, guiding, and blessing us in ways beyond our imagination.
That day in London will forever remain etched in my heart — a day when I truly felt the presence of Shree Krishna and the boundless joy of His darshan.
