July 2026

July 2026 has been a heartening month at Oxford Hindu Mandir, marked by a steady flow of worship, renewed spiritual activity, and the continued participation of devotees and families from across the community. As the mandir settles into a regular rhythm, it is encouraging to see more devotees joining for prayer, seva, and shared moments of devotion.

Throughout the month, the mandir remained open for regular aaratis, offering devotees a daily opportunity to pause, pray, and reconnect with the Divine. These regular gatherings are slowly shaping the spiritual life of the mandir, creating a welcoming routine for both familiar faces and first-time visitors.

The regular aarati programme has continued to provide a strong devotional foundation for the community. Evening worship has become a meaningful touchpoint in the day, bringing together elders, youth, children, and families in an atmosphere of prayer, chanting, and reflection.

Beyond the ritual itself, these daily moments are helping nurture a living mandir culture: one rooted not only in sacred tradition, but also in togetherness, discipline, and shared faith. Each aarati strengthens the sense that Oxford Hindu Mandir is becoming a spiritual home for the wider community.

A significant development this month was the resumption of the monthly havan programme, with the first havan held on 12 July 2026. The return of this sacred Vedic practice was warmly welcomed by devotees, many of whom gathered with reverence to participate in the prayers and offerings.

Havan holds a special place in Hindu worship as a spiritual discipline of purification, gratitude, and sankalpa. The sacred fire, the chanting of mantras, and the collective offering of devotion create a deeply uplifting atmosphere that benefits both participants and the wider environment.

We are pleased to share that havans will now take place regularly on every second Sunday of the month from 10:00 to 12:00. We invite devotees to join this monthly gathering and take part in this beautiful tradition with family and friends.

Another joyful beginning this month was the start of Ayyappa bhajan and pooja at the mandir, with the first gathering held on 18 July 2026. The introduction of this programme has added another devotional dimension to the mandir's growing calendar and has been received with enthusiasm by devotees.

The singing of Ayyappa bhajans created a prayerful and vibrant atmosphere, filling the mandir with devotion, rhythm, and spiritual warmth. Combined with pooja and collective participation, the gathering offered a beautiful opportunity for devotees to come together in remembrance of Lord Ayyappa and the values of discipline, humility, and bhakti associated with His worship.

We are also pleased to share that Ayyappa pooja will now take place regularly on every third Saturday of the month. We look forward to seeing this programme continue to grow and become a regular source of devotion and fellowship within the community.

The Annual General Meeting of the Oxford Hindu Temple & Community Centre Project was held on 26 July 2026 at the Mandir community hall. Members gathered to receive the Trustees' and Financial Reports, consider important governance updates, and look ahead to sustaining the Mandir for future generations.

In the Chair's address, Mukesh Shori reflected on a landmark year in which the long-term vision of a permanent Mandir has been realised. Recognition was given to those who led the building project and to the many devotees, donors, and volunteers whose dedication made this possible. The Mandir remains open to all and continues to be operated in accordance with the principles and traditions of Sanatan Dharma.

Members received and adopted the Financial Report, which recorded that donations collected over many years have been fully applied towards renovation and construction. Around 70 regular Direct Debit donors currently support the Mandir, with about 17 new Direct Debits established since opening. The committee's aspiration is to grow regular giving towards around 200 donors, helping meet estimated running costs and keep the Mandir sustainable.

The meeting also approved revised constitutional amendments, strengthening governance as the charity's focus shifts from building the Mandir to preserving and sustaining it. Updates include clearer membership and voting arrangements, a formal volunteer category, improved transparency, recognition of hybrid meetings. The current committee will remain in office until the next scheduled elections in Q2 2027.

We are delighted to share an upcoming special event at the mandir: The Gita for Today's World - Ancient Wisdom for Modern Living, taking place on Tuesday 4 August. This evening promises to offer spiritual reflection, practical insight, and an opportunity for meaningful community learning.

The programme will begin at 17:00 with kirtan, followed by a motivational talk at 17:30, a Q&A session at 18:45, and aarati at 19:00. All are warmly welcome to attend and take part in what promises to be an uplifting and thought-provoking gathering.

The speaker for the evening will be Srimati Renuka Goswami, an Oxford alumna and distinguished speaker specialising in the practical application of Vedic wisdom in contemporary life. She is also the Founder of Nimaipathshala. Her talk will explore how the timeless teachings of the Bhagavad Gita can guide us in facing the challenges of modern living with clarity, strength, and purpose.

The arrival of Sawan, one of the most sacred periods in the traditional calendar, has brought a special devotional mood to the mandir. Traditionally associated with Lord Shiva, this holy month encourages prayer, fasting, mantra japa, and a renewed focus on inner discipline and spiritual reflection.

For many devotees, Sawan is a time to deepen their personal sadhana while also participating in collective worship. The presence of regular aaratis, Shiva worship, and community prayer during this period adds to the spiritual beauty of the season. As this sacred month continues, the mandir remains a place where devotees can gather in faith, seek blessings, and observe this auspicious time in a meaningful way.

We warmly encourage families to make the most of Sawan by joining worship at the mandir, spending time in prayer, and taking part in the shared devotional life of the community.

We have been deeply encouraged by the very good response from devotees who wish to volunteer at Oxford Hindu Mandir. This enthusiasm for seva is a true blessing for the mandir, and it reflects the growing sense of ownership and care within our community.

Volunteers play a vital role in the life of the mandir — from welcoming guests and supporting aaratis and festivals, to helping with events, hospitality, administration, and other forms of practical service. Every contribution of time and skill helps the mandir flourish.

If you would like to join the volunteering team, we warmly invite you to register your interest. Completing the registration form helps us understand your skills, availability, and preferences so we can match you with suitable opportunities.