Just like in Haiti on 12th January 2010, on 26th January 2001 city Bhuj in Gujarat state of India was struck by an earthquake of colossal magnitude which brought devastation in the city and surrounding villages.
Shree Swaminarayan Temple in Bhuj, one of the only six to be built under the guidance of Lord Shree Swaminarayan himself over 186 years ago was severely destroyed due the earthquake yet miraculously the sacred deities were not damaged.
After emergency relief efforts by Gujarat community in India and around the World, it was decided that it would be appropriate to build a new Temple. In order that innumerable souls may tread the devotional path with ease, Lord Shree Swaminarayan made the path of renunciation liberal and had Himself constructed grand temples to worship in. India has always been a land of architecture and spiritual marvels. The new Shree Swaminarayan Temple, Bhuj will further enrich this glorious list of spiritual landmarks. When completed it will be the largest in the Gujarat state of India. It will have taken 50 million man hours to complete at a staggering cost of £10m. The devotees of UK alone have contributed over £1m towards this spiritual project.
The new Temple is approaching completion with a grand opening ceremony taking place from 15th to 23rd May 2010. From a spiritual and historical point of view this event for the Swaminarayan Sampraday is a once in a lifetime 
moment, as the original deities (Nar-Narayan Dev) consecrated by Lord Shree Swaminarayan himself 186 years ago will be re-consecrated at the new Temple by Acharya Shree Koshalendraprasadji Maharaj (head of northern diocese) on 18th May 2010.
As it is a once in a lifetime and unforgettable event many sub-events are taking place from social to religious projects all in the name of the grand new Temple, such as, medical camps, reduction of alcohol/smoking addictions (vyasan-mukta), reciting of holy scriptures, etc. To add to the list and mark the grand Temple opening event a further project, charity bike ride has been organised from 9th May (from Bhuj Nutan Mandir) to 12th May 2010 (returning back to Bhuj Nutan Mandir covering approx. 300km (i.e. 186 miles) of Kutch-Gujarat tracks.
This charity event is open to all international devotees fit to ride to mark their involvement on the grand opening celebrations. Those interested are requested to register by clicking on the link below. Upon successful completion of the registration process the registrant will be emailed an information pack including sponsorship form to start collecting funds for this good cause.
For further information, please click on the poster link below, which can also be found displayed at individual mandirs across the globe.
Date - 9th - 12th May 2010
Route - Bhuj – Madhapar – Anjar – Gandhidham – Pragpar – Mandvi - Billiswar Mahadev - Rampar Gangaji – Dahisara – Meghpar – Naranpar – Bharasar – Manukuva – Sukhpur - Bhuj Swaminarayan Smruti Mandir – Bhuj.
Click here to see map
Click here to register your details
Registration deadline is Sunday 18th April 2010
NB: Those taking part will be supplied with bicycle (with back carrier), safety helmet, high visibility vest and bicycle safety lights. Also, all security measures will be in place including police escort during the bicycle tour.
Registration deadline is Sunday 18th April 2010
View the poster
Sponsorship (Charity) Information
There are several options in taking part on this special Bhuj Mahotsav Charity Bicycle project:-
1) Individuals who register to take part in the bicycle tour will be provided with information pack containing blank sponsorship form (with their unique identification code) where each individual can get their friends, families, neighbours and colleagues to sponsor their good cause.
2) Those who cannot take part in the bicycle riding are able to sponsor individual registered person or group of persons by donating Rs. 7,001/- (i.e. £111.00) per person (for individuals/charity organizations donating) or Rs. 10,001/- (i.e. £151.00) per person (for companies/businesses donating). In both cases, their individual name or company name will be printed in gloss paint on the bicycle itself with mahotsav dates as remembrance. After the event individual bicycles will be donated to kutch village, hospital, post master, kutch village school or disadvantaged close relative to donators choice. The above figure will cover for expenses in providing registered entrant with Indian made bicycle (with back carrier), safety helmet, high visibility vest and bicycle safety lights.
To show interest in sponsoring based on any one of the above then please email ym@SwaminarayanMandir.org.uk for further details.
NB: Any funds raised through sponsorship will be used to purchase essential equipment (such as, bicycle (with back carrier), safety helmet, high visibility vest and bicycle safety lights, etc.) for this grand project. All remaining funds will be split 50-50 and entirely donated to DEC (Disaster Emergency Committee – UK) and Kutch charities.
