Theresa Villiers, MP for Chipping Barnet, visited the Bhaktivedanta Manor Hare Krishna Temple, in Aldenham in Hertfordshire, for the Janmashtami Festival which celebrates the birth of Krishna.
The festival attracted the largest audience to date - around 80,000 over two days - in the 40th year since Beatle band member, George Harrison, donated the manor to the Hari Krishna community. Those who attended enjoyed cultural entertainment including music, dancing, drama and an array of stalls and food. Visitors also had the chance to visit the special garden opened in George Harrison’s memory, and the newly completed ‘New Gokul’ complex, Europe’s largest cow protection project.
Speaking after the event, Theresa said: “It is always a pleasure to celebrate Janmashtami with the Hari Krishna and Hindu community. This is a very important date in their calendar."
“I congratulate the organisers of this event, which is believed to be the largest outside India, on yet another successful year. I thoroughly enjoyed all the performances. It was great to meet devotees and spend time touring the stalls and exhibitions."
"I look forward to visiting the Manor again very soon”.