Former Wellingborough mayor joining global prayers for community, individuals and the universe for divine intervention during pandemic

A former Wellingborough mayor and honorary freeman of the town has been using his time during lockdown to pray for the world and the community helped by a global movement.

Shashi Dholakia has not been able to go to his usual place of worship, the Hindu Mandir in Highfield Road, but has been joining with members online.

A regular visitor to Wellingborough since 1987, Hindu priest, Mahant Shri Kalubapu Rajguruji, has been reciting a daily prayer for peace three times with devotees able to chant along online.

Mr Dholakia said: "Satsang Parivar Wellingborough is a branch of an establishment set by Mahant Shree Kanubapu Rajguruji in 1986. We are a group of like-minded individuals from the temple.

"During the Covid-19 Pandemic, he has been reciting Hanuman Chalisa, a Hindu devotional hymn, at his base at Raghuvirdham Ashram in India.

"His followers join in this recital via social media. He recites this [hymn] daily three times: one for individuals, one for the community and one for the universe."

Recital of Hanuman Chalisa is a common religious practice, recited by millions of Hindus every day.

Mr Dholakia, 71, a founder member of the Wellingborough Hindu Association, said: "It is a popular belief that chanting this invokes Lord Hanuman’s divine intervention in grave problems.

"The world is hit by the pandemic which is a grave problem facing the whole world.

"Satsang Parivar is joining with its founder to bring about the peace and tranquility from the pandemic.”

The former Wellingborough mayor and councillor, who was awarded the title of honorary Freeman in 2019, has been staying at home throughout the lockdown and has only been outside in three months.

He added: "People in the community are very scared. There are underlying issues like diabetes and people are very reluctant to go out.

"We can't go to the mandir but we can join in at home. I've been doing it every day. This prayer gives me an inner peace.

"I'm looking forward to going back to the temple and meeting up with my friends again."

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