On the auspicious occasion of Bhadrapada Purnima, Jagadguru Professor Pushpendra Kumar Aaryam Ji Maharaj inaugurated the new London branch of Bhagwan Shankar Aashray under the aegis of Aaryam International Foundation. The ceremony began with a divine Pushparchan, as countless flowers were offered amid Vedic chanting in prayer for the welfare of the world, followed by prasad and a discourse by Gurudev. Disciples and devotees from London and nearby regions came together for the occasion. Coming just before Pitru Paksha, a time for honouring our roots and ancestors, the inauguration carried special meaning, echoing Gurudev’s teaching: “Let us return to our roots, for therein lies our welfare and the welfare of the entire world.”
The journey that began in Mauritius in 2012 has now reached London by way of India (2016) and Switzerland (2023), making this the ashram’s second branch in Europe. For the many Indians living abroad, it offers a return to the home they carry within: the aartis, mantras, festivals and values they grew up with. At the same time, it opens the doors of Sanatan Dharma and Vedic tradition to all who seek it. As Gurudev reminded everyone in his discourse, the strength of Sanatan lies in its inclusiveness, for it sees the whole world as one family: वसुधैव कुटुम्बकम्.
