We cordially invite our devotees to our 2024 Bhagwat Katha from 27th July to 2nd August 2024, from 5.30pm to 8pm each day. Bhojan will be served daily. Please pass this invitation on to family and friends from within the local Hindu community, and help make this year’s katha a huge success as it was last year.
Please click here to see the full invitation and timetable
SOME IMPORTANT POINTS OF NOTE
Childcare
Please note that there will be no kids club this year due to the lack of space we experienced last year, as well as the excessive noise which made it difficult for those seated in the hall to watch the katha live stream. As with all our events children are most welcome, but parents must take responsibility for their children at all times. Please do not leave young children unattended on the assumption that volunteers will be looking after them as this is not the case.
Food Service
We will be serving food from inside the community hall itself this year, as there was significant overcrowding in the entrance hall last year. We plan to serve children and the elderly first, and would ask everyone to ensure they keep their voices down while queuing and also while eating so that the katha can be heard clearly by those seated upstairs, as well as by those watching the livestream in the hall. If the queue becomes too long then we may ask you to return after a short while. Whilst we are not asking people to rush, we would ask diners not to use the tables, or the hall itself, as a social space. Please vacate your tables and clear your plates away once you have finished eating so that we can get more people through the food service as quickly as possible.
Live Streaming
The katha will be live streamed via YouTube on the “Kvswami katha” channel, and into the hall downstairs where a small area will be arranged for those who are elderly or disabled. For safety reasons, we have to limit the numbers of persons with reduced mobility in the main prayer hall upstairs as it would otherwise become impossible to safely and quickly evacuate the mandir should the need arise. Please do not be offended if you are asked to go back downstairs and watch the live stream from the hall. Our volunteers will do their very best to accommodate you.
Parking
There is very limited street parking available in the environs of the mandir. At present, the Tesco Extra nearby offers three hours free camera controlled parking. They also offer parking for longer periods upon payment of a fee. Currently, you cannot combine the three free hours with further paid time. In other words, you cannot stay for three hours free and then one hour paid. You would have to pay for the whole four hour period. Please ensure you read the terms of parking very carefully on the signs that are located around the car park, as there is no arrangement with the temple in respect of parking and we will be unable to intervene in any disputes that may arise with the car park operators. All users of this car park do so at their own risk.
Neighbours and Environs
We would ask all devotees to be as quiet as possible when coming to the temple, and when leaving. We are surrounded by neighbours, and we do not wish to disturb their peace. We have been here for several decades, with no issues for the vast majority of the time. Unfortunately, we have recently had to deal with a few issues which have all been resolved through the council in our favour, but which become time consuming for the committee to deal with. If you are approached by any residents then please do not retaliate if at all possible. Please report such matters to a committee member and we will take any further steps that are required. Please help us to avoid unnecessary conflict by showing courtesy and respect to those who live around the temple.
Courtesy and Co-operation
Our mandir is run entirely by hard working volunteers. Sadly, some of our volunteers face occasional incivility from visitors to the temple. This will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Our volunteers often put in long hours, but have all been reminded of the need to be as courteous as possible to our visitors, even when under stress. Accordingly, the committee expects the same from our devotees and visitors. Please co-operate with any instructions you are given, as managing an event of this size in the safest possible manner poses significant challenges. Courtesy and co-operation will both be essential to making this a pleasurable event for everyone involved.
Photography
Photography and videography are permitted during our events. However, please bear in mind that there may be individuals who are not comfortable being captured in such a manner. Please be mindful of others, and ensure that you respect the wishes of others where required. Vasantbhai Rajgor will be taking photos and videos on his phone on behalf of the mandir, and we ask that you please not obstruct his view when he is trying to do so. On occasion, it may be necessary to prohibit photography and videography. If such an announcement is made then please comply with it until such time as you are notified that it may be resumed.
Please click here for further information in respect of photography and social media at the temple.
Dress code
Due to the time of year, it may be warmer than it is during our other annual events. We would, however, like to remind devotees to dress modestly and respectfully as such a location and event demands. We will try and regulate the temperature as best as we can. If you want to join in with a bit of extra fun, then have a look at the image below for our suggested colours for each day. Please remember that this is just for fun only, and you’re free to wear whatever colours you feel appropriate for yourselves.
Finally…
We want everyone involved in the katha to have a pleasant experience. Please come along with a positive mindset, and on the understanding that you are coming to join our wider Hindu family in celebrating this auspicious event. SEHA’s committee and volunteers wish you all a truly joyous celebration.
Jay Shri Krishna!!