A HINDU pilgrimage will see hundreds of worshippers flock to a South Lakeland beauty spot this month.
Dhol drummers and Asian pipe bands will pave the way for followers of the Hindu faith Shree Swaminarayan Gadi.
The group will lead a procession up to the Glebe in Bowness to commemorate the life of a religious figurehead who brought his message of peace from India to the Lake District 30 years ago.
Gurudev Adya Acharyapravar Jeevanpran Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa was the founder of Maninagar Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan, the worldwide centre for spiritual, cultural and social welfare.
He toured Windermere on a cruiser boat and held an assembly on the Glebe with hundreds of followers on August 30 1979, but died later that evening.
His spiritual heir His Divine Holiness Acharya Swamishree Purushottampriyadasji Maharaj plans to come back to the Glebe to re-enact Swamibapa’s last day.
The site has become one of upmost importance for the Shree Swaminarayan Gadi faith, with Windermere’s waters considered to be as purifying as the water from holy rivers in India.
Worshipper Mahesh Roshani, of London, has made the trip back to the spot every year since the group first gathered on the Glebe.
“I’ve never missed this event - I was only nine the first time but I still vividly remember being on the hill with everyone,” said Mr Roshani. “Because this was the last place people saw Swamibapa we regard this as a sacred place - it’s holy for us, not just a tourist spot.”
A tree planting ceremony, colourful Indian procession and free homecooked Indian vegetarian picnic will take place on the Glebe on Monday August 16.
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