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Charles, Camilla celebrate Diwali

London: Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, added colour to the Diwali celebrations in Britain by visiting Shri Swaminarayan temple here and participating in a symbolic ‘Laxmi Puja’ ceremony.

Yogvivek Swami, the head priest at the temple in Neasden, greeted the Prince on Friday in traditional Indian style with a garland. Women members of the temple welcomed the Duchess with a ‘tilak’ on her forehead. The Royal couple then proceeded to the sanctum sanctorum where they offered flowers at the central shrine. Both spent several minutes witnessing the intricate architecture of the temple.

After meeting temple volunteers, the Royal couple made their way into the prayer hall where they were greeted with rapturous applause, musical fanfare and waving of flags. They performed abhishek of Shri Nilkanth Varni before being escorted to the Haveli foyer to have a view of the building’s architecture.

The Prince and the Duchess each lighted a diya in the Haveli to mark their presence on the auspicious day. After receiving garlands, they participated in a symbolic Chopda Pujan (Laxmi Puja) ceremony while the children chanted Vedic hymns. — PTI

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