A community association celebrated its flagship annual event, re-enacting the sacred wedding of a Hindu deity.
The Telugu Association of Basingstoke (TAB) welcomed more than 600 attendees to its annual event, Srinivasa Kalyanam, held at Queen Mary's College in Cliddesden Road.
The event, which took place on Saturday, November 16, was a re-enactment of the sacred wedding of Lord Balaji.
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It was officiated by five priests from the Tirumala Balaji Temple in South India.
The temple, referred to as Kaliyuga Vaikuntha, draws an average of 75,000 visitors daily and is dedicated to Lord Venkateswara, a form of Vishnu believed to safeguard humanity during the trials of the Kali Yuga.
This year’s event was significant as it marked the third consecutive year of the celebration and the consecration of a new set of divine idols, specially brought from Tirumala.
The idols will now reside in Carnival Hall, managed by the Basingstoke Hindu Society, serving as a spiritual centre for the community.
The success of the event was the result of two months of planning and efforts by trustees, including Cllr Arun Mummalaneni and Sreeni Vavilala, alongside a team of volunteers.
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The Queen Mary's College hall was transformed into a divine setting, replicating the sanctity and grandeur of the Tirumala temple.
Attendees enjoyed a vegetarian feast prepared by volunteers, reflecting the spirit of unity and service.
To extend the spiritual experience beyond the venue, the event was live-streamed on the TTD channel and is now accessible on YouTube.
Basingstoke mayor Cllr Dan Putty and Cllr John McKay also attended the event, receiving blessings during the ceremony.
The association is celebrating more than 13 years of supporting Indian and BAME communities in the region.
A spokesperson said: "TAB has established itself as a pillar of cultural preservation, inclusion, and meaningful community engagement in Basingstoke and beyond.
"Events like Srinivasa Kalyanam exemplify our dedication to bringing people together in celebration, prayer, and shared values."
The association's mission is to preserve and promote cultural heritage while fostering community cohesion.
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