The foundation stone was laid on monday in Leicester of the Shree Jalaram Prarthana Mandal, a temple due to be completed by March 1995 and expected to become a place of worship for pilgrims from all over the world.

Present at the Bhumi Pujan and Foundation stone laying ceremony performed by Mrs. Lalitaben Thakkar, wife of patron and founder president, the late Mr. Shantilal Rughnath Thakkar - were Bhagwatacharya Shree Krishna Shankar Shastri, a renowned Gita scholar who blessed and participated in the foundation laying ceremony, Mahant Shree Dwarkesh Bava, Shree Ram Ram, Shree Bhagwat Bhai, Pujya Maha Mangleshwar Swami Arjun Puri and other distinguished visitors from india. The occasion was also graced by Leicester East MP Keith Vaz, the Rev Michael Ipgrave representing the Bishop of Leicester and the leaders of various local religious groups.

This large project has blossomed from the small seeds of a group of Leicester ladies who used to meet for prayers in the late 70's inspired by their devotion to Saint Shree Jalaram Bapa, a much loved saint born 150 years ago in Virpur, India.

As the number of devotees grew, the late Mr. Shantilal R. Thakkar organised the purchase - with the assistance of the Gheewala family and other devotees - of a property in Mere Road, Leicester, in 1979. By 1989 Mr. S. R. Thakkar, again relying on the generosity of the devotees plus some loan finance, found it neccessary to acquire and refurbish a larger property at 85 Narborough Road, Gateway to Leicester - the site of the temple now under construction - to accommodate the growing congregation and devotees of Pujya Bapa.

Charitable Trust status has been obtained and the temple donates annually between £15,000 to £20,000 towards various UK and overseas charities.

After the sad demise of Mr. S. R. Thakkar in 1991, Mr. Thakershibhai Morjaria was elected president and continues to serve diligently with the assistance of the committee.

Under the chairmanship of Mr. Pramod Shantilal R. Thakkar, Son of the late Mr. Shantilal R. Thakkar, and Mr. Bhadrasil Trivedi, vice chairman , a building committee is overseeing the creation of a purpose built temple with classical appeal. The toal cost is expected to be in excess of £900,000 most of the funds coming from devotee donations and loan finance. City Challange has granted £80,000 towards building the community hall on the ground floor which will be purposeful hall for the elderly and young devotees

Trustees and Office Bearers

  © Jalaram Prarthana Mandal, Leicester, UK.