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Unlike the lights and crackers that take over India during Diwali, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson preferred a quieter celebration.
Accompanied by Home Secretary Priti Patel, Boris visited the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Neasden, London, on November 7.
Boris must, no doubt, be familiar with Diwali's importance and rituals -- his former wife of 17 years, Marina Wheeler, has Indian roots.
Marina's mother Dip Singh, a distinguished Sikh lady, was once married to Daljit Singh, Khushwant Singh's youngest brother, before she married Charles Wheeler, the distinguished British journalist. Marina is a well-known lawyer while her elder sister Shirin is a journalist like her dad.
Please click on the images for a better look.
IMAGE: Boris and Priti Patel greet well-wishers at the temple. All photographs: Yui Mok/Pool/Reuters
IMAGE: They admire the temple's beautifully carved ceiling.
IMAGE: And meet British Airways pilots who took part in the India COVID-19 appeal.
IMAGE: Boris and Priti participate in the Shri Nilkanth Varni (Bhagwan Swaminarayan) abhishek ceremony by pouring water over his gilded brass image.
IMAGE: Boris with the head priest, Yogvivekdas Swami.
IMAGE: Boris makes an offering at the sanctum sanctorum.
Photographs curated by Anant Salvi/Rediff.com
Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff.com
