Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak extended greetings ahead of the inauguration of the Akshardham Temple in Robbinsville, New Jersey, the largest Hindu temple outside India. Modi praised the temple's spiritual significance and its role in connecting the Indian diaspora, emphasizing India's cultural heritage. Sunak marveled at the temple's beauty and its representation of India's values. This marks the third Akshardham complex globally, with the first in Gandhinagar, India, in 1992, and the second in New Delhi in 2005. The temple inauguration is scheduled for October 8 with the aim of fostering global peace and harmony.

The Indian Diaspora in the UK (IDUK Group) organized remarkable Ganesh Immersion ceremonies over three days, involving more than 300 Ganesha idols and 2000 attendees. The celebrations, held on September 20th, 23rd, and 28th, honored Lord Ganesha, symbolizing wisdom and prosperity. Attended by Indian-origin politicians like MP Virendra Sharma and Deputy Mayor Balvinder Singh, the event showcased India's cultural richness. IDUK Group expressed gratitude to participants and volunteers, emphasizing its dedication to preserving Indian heritage and fostering cultural unity within the UK's Indian community. The organization's initiatives, including Independence Day and Republic Day events, aim to promote understanding and appreciation of Indian culture.

The 13th edition of Slough Mitra Mandal’s (SMM) Ganeshotsav was celebrated with enthusiasm at The Hindu Cultural Society’s Slough Hindu Temple in the UK. The event united the Indian community from various regions, featuring cultural performances, a grand welcome procession, and religious rituals. Over 5000 devotees, including 3600 enjoying Mahaprasad, participated. Activities like kids' drawing competitions and Antakshari added to the festivities. The event culminated in a spiritual performance by Guru Vidwan Shri Sujay Shanbhag. The SMM Core Committee thanked volunteers and sponsors for making the celebration possible and fostering Indian traditions and festivals in the local and newly migrated communities.

The Art of Living Foundation's World Culture Festival kicked off in Washington DC on Thursday, drawing an estimated one million attendees on the opening day. The iconic National Mall provided a striking backdrop for the festival, which featured performances by renowned artists and speeches by global leaders. Guests included Ban Ki-moon, Mayor Muriel Bowser, and India's Minister S Jaishankar. Founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar said the event promotes global unity and understanding between cultures. Over 100 countries are represented among the 17,000 performing artists. (Image Courtesy: Erik Solheim on X)  

The construction of the ground floor of the Ram temple in Ayodhya will be completed by December end, said temple Construction Committee Chairperson Nripendra Mishra. The consecration ceremony is expected on January 22. Prime Minister Modi is likely to attend an event related to the 'pran pratishtha' between January 20-24, though the final date is yet to be confirmed. Work is also underway on an apparatus to be installed on the temple shikhar to make sun rays fall on Ram Lalla's forehead on Ram Navami annually. The opening of the temple for devotees is anticipated on January 24 post consecration. (Image Courtesy: @ShriRamTeerth on X)

High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami attended Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations by Maharashtra Mandal London, whose history dates back to the 1930s. He wished participants a joyous festival. In Scotland, Consul General Bijay Selvaraj and Consul Satya Veer Singh joined the Indian community for the Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations organized by SAMRAT Scotland. Dr. Sandesh Gulhane MSP for Glasgow also participated in the festival. The envoys' presence at the key festivals highlights Indian missions' efforts to connect with diaspora communities in the UK and Scotland by partaking in cultural events. [Image Courtesy: @HCI_London & @IndiainScotland]

The Indian Diaspora UK (IDUK) Group successfully conducted an official Ganesh immersion ceremony at the scenic Slough Jubilee River in the UK. The 3-day event on September 20, 23, and 28 saw over 1500 devotees participate with devotion. IDUK expressed gratitude to all attendees, volunteers, and community members for making it a grand success. The organization is dedicated to promoting cultural exchange and preserving Indian traditions among the diaspora in Britain. The well-attended Ganesh Visarjan ceremony highlighted IDUK's efforts to sustain Indian culture and festivals for Indians residing in the UK.

The world's largest Hindu temple outside India, the BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham in New Jersey, is set to be inaugurated on October 8. Spanning over 183 acres, the temple was built over 12 years by more than 12,500 volunteers. It measures 255 ft x 345 ft x 191 ft and features design elements from ancient Indian culture, including 10,000 statues, carvings of musical instruments, and dance forms. The temple is possibly the second largest in the world after Cambodia's Angkor Wat. It was envisioned as a place for all people to learn universal values based in Hindu tradition.

Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani and wife Nita Ambani offered prayers at Mumbai's famous Lalbaugcha Raja pandal on Ganesh Chaturthi. They visited the pandal along with their family members to seek blessings from the Lalbaugcha Raja idol. The day before, actor Shah Rukh Khan had also visited the pandal with son AbRam to celebrate the festive occasion. Lalbaugcha Raja Secretary Sudhir Salvi recently lauded Mukesh Ambani's son Anant for supporting the committee's activities. The 10-day Ganesh Chaturthi festival started on September 19 this year, marking the celebrations of Lord Ganesha as the god of new beginnings and the remover of obstacles. Lakhs of devotees in Mumbai and across India celebrate the festival with great fervor each year.

Mumbai's iconic Lalbaugcha Raja Ganpati, one of the city's most revered Ganesha idols, enters its 90th year with festivities starting Tuesday. The pandal in Lalbaug Market draws lakhs of devotees annually seeking Lord Ganesha's blessings during the 11-day Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations. Like every year, massive crowds are expected for darshan which will be open round-the-clock till September 28. There are two lines – 'Navsachi' to go on stage and touch the idol's feet and 'Mukh Darshanachi' for distant viewing. Founded in 1934, the Lalbaugcha Raja mandal has become synonymous with Mumbai's vibrant Ganpati culture. CLICK on the window for LIVE 'darshan' of Lalbaugcha Raja Ganpati.