Willesden Green’s Shree Swaminarayan Temple is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this month with a major nine-day festival across Brent. The ‘Festival of Golden Hearts’ runs from 5th to 13th July and features daily ceremonies, community gatherings, and colourful processions.
The temple, which was founded in October 1975, has become an important place of worship and cultural life for thousands of devotees in the area.
Yesterday (Sunday 6th July), thousands joined a large procession known as the Pothi Yatra, which travelled from Willesden to the Sahajanand Sabha Mandap in Neasden. The event drew big crowds and was enjoyed by people of all ages, filling the streets with music, colour and a strong sense of community.
Cllr Jayanti Patel, a Brent Councillor for Queensbury, posted on Facebook: “Festival of Golden Hearts – A Journey of Faith & Unity. Today, we had the honour of being part of the 50-Year Celebrations of The Shree Swaminarayan Temple Willesden, joining the vibrant and soulful Pothi Yatra from Willesden to The Sahajanand Sabha Mandap at Neasden Studios.
“The streets of Brent were transformed into rivers of joy, music and colour as devotees carried the sacred scriptures in reverence. This wasn’t just a celebration — it was a moving spiritual offering, filled with devotion and love. The Yatra radiated unity, bringing together hearts and generations in shared faith and purpose.
“It was deeply humbling to witness our community come alive in this way — truly a golden moment in Brent’s rich spiritual journey.”
Earlier in the day, ceremonies began at 5:30am with Mangala Aarti at the SS Temple in Willesden. This was followed by Dhun, Shangar Darshan and Shangar Aarti. Breakfast was then served at Sahajanand Sabha Mandap in Neasden. Later, Aarti & Katha were held before lunch. A Baal Kendra Performance took place in the afternoon, along with Katha, dinner and an evening programme called Mystic Maya.
The festival will conclude on Sunday 13th July, with the final day starting again at 5:30am with Mangala Aarti. After morning prayers and breakfast, a Closing Ceremony is planned for 11:00am at Sahajanand Sabha Mandap, followed by lunch at midday.
Organisers have invited everyone to take part in the final celebrations, describing the festival as “a beautiful, colourful nine-day extravaganza” and “a journey of faith and unity.”
For more information about the Shree Swaminarayan Temple and the Festival of Golden Hearts, you can visit their official website or follow community updates online.
Edward Wilkins is a reporter for Harrow Online specialising in breaking news, live incidents and crime reporting across Harrow. His coverage includes emergency service incidents, court cases, road traffic collisions and major developing stories.
