Basingstoke Hindu Society

03/06/2026

28/05/2026

Namaste 🙏🏻

BHS invites you to the Sarvajanik Satyanarayan Pooja 2026

Join us in offering prayers and receiving divine blessings at the auspicious Satyanarayan Pooja.

Date: Saturday, 27th June 2026
Time: 4:30 pm
Venue: Carnival Hall, Council Road, Basingstoke, RG21 3DH

Please register here -

BHS invites you to the Sarvajanik Satyanarayan Pooja 2026 Join us in offering prayers and receiving divine blessings at the auspicious Satyanarayan Pooja. Date: Sunday, 27th June 2026 Venue: Carnival […]

25/05/2026

2026 marks 75 years since the re-opening of the reconstructed Somnath Temple and 1000 years since it was first demolished by Islamic invaders. Following repeated attacks and demolition by invaders, successive generations of Hindus defended, reclaimed and revived this sacred site. Somanath Temple is therefore a symbol of Hindu strength and continuity. To mark this anniversary year, we will reflect on Somnath’s inspiring story - today we recount its significance as a centre of spirituality and learning. Somnath Temple, located at Prabhas Patan on the coast of Saurashtra (Gujarat, India), is dedicated to the Someshwara Jyotirlinga - one of the 12 prominent manifestations of Shiva located across Bharat. Prabhas is also significant as the place where Krishna and Balarama withdrew their avatars. Centuries before the popularity of Vaishnava and Jain traditions, Saivism was the dominant tradition of Gujarat with Prabhas as its epicentre.

The bronze age Indus Valley Civilisation stretched into what is now Gujarat, where some of the oldest remains of religious activity point to the pre-historic antiquity of Shiva and Shakti worship. From the start of the first century AD, Gujarat became an important region for the Pashupatas, the oldest of the Saiva Sampradayas. Lakulisha, the most influential Guru from this tradition (2nd century), was born near modern Vadodara. As champions of yoga, philosophy and temples, the Pashupatas revived Shiva worship across India, countering the influence of non-Vedic Buddhist and Jain traditions. The Pashupatas developed the Somnath Temple and under their monasteries, scholars and yogis, Prabhas also grew as a prominent centre of learning.

Along with attracting pilgrims and scholars, Prabhas was a thriving port. Attracting support from wealthy and powerful patrons, such as members of the Maitraka and Chalukya (Solanki) dynasties, Somnath was redeveloped several times and renowned for his exquisite craftsmanship. The Sompura Salat community of temple architects trace their name and origins to the building of Somnath.

Reference: K. M. Munshi. (1951). Somnatha: The Shrine Eternal

10/05/2026

17/03/2026

Basingstoke officers would like to invite members of the community to join two town centre walks as part of our commitment to tackling violence against women and girls.

Uniformed and non-uniformed officers will meet students at Basingstoke College of Technology and Queen Mary’s College at 3.30pm on Thursday 19 March.

Non-students are then invited to join the walks on Flaxfield Road, near Sarum Hill, or at the Cliddesden Road / A30 underpass at 3.45pm.

Those on the non-ticketed walks will then make their way alongside officers into the town centre before reaching their destination inside Festival Place.

Once inside the centre, officers will gather in a unit by the library to discuss what can be done to alleviate people’s concerns, as well as hear suggestions about how we can make them feel safer.

Officers will be inside the unit from 4pm until 7pm that evening, alongside several key partners.

A/Police Sergeant Robyn Gaimster, from the Basingstoke Priority Crime Team, said: “No one should ever have to walk around their local community in fear, and they should always be made to feel comfortable, safe and protected within their communities. To feel anything less is not acceptable.

“We are committed to tackling violence against women and girls, and we are constantly looking at ways we can improve safety in the district for everyone.

“We planned both walks to encourage everyone, not just women, girls or students, to talk to officers and partners in a safe environment and tell us what makes them feel unsafe and what we can do to help.

“Please come along if you are interested, it would be great to see as many people as possible taking part in this event to help us make sure that everyone feels safe in public, in the workplace and online.

“If you cannot make the walk, do not worry, as we will we be in the unit next to the library in Festival Place from 4pm and 7pm that day.”

Read our full press release, which includes full details, here: https://orlo.uk/2c6n0

16/03/2026

Do you, or does someone you know, have a special birthday, wedding anniversary or celebration coming up?

If so - CONGRATULATIONS! Please contact my office to arrange for a card from me to be sent to mark the celebration. Simply go to the council's website and we'll do the rest.

16/03/2026

Helping a Community Hub

09/03/2026

“HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY” ~ May all the incredible women of the World continue to rise, inspire and shine.

A PROFOUND STORY…..

"The Husband was convinced that his wife was having an extra-marital affair”

She was looking very different over the last few days. She was making an effort to look happy, confident, and suddenly she was also looking more and more beautiful, taking care of herself, being a dedicated wife for her husband, a mother to her children and caring for the entire home. She was singing, she was dancing, her dress sense had improved dramatically...

He felt this was strange! ~ as in previous years he had never seen her like this...He was sure someone else has entered into her life and she is transforming herself for him, as in his mind he always felt that a woman always lives for the joy and happiness of a man!

As the days went by he was feeling very sad and anxious and wanted to spend some quality time with her to explore the reason behind her change !

That Saturday Evening seemed a perfect time to spend together, so he suggested that they dine out at a nice restaurant. She accepted the idea immediately...

He asked her about where she would like to go for the meal and for the first time she expressed her opinion! Again a surprise... as previously it was always his decision where they should go!

That Saturday evening, they went to a beautiful restaurant with a very nice romantic ambience. She was looking radiant and amazing and he kept looking at her as if he was meeting her for the first time...just like it was many years ago when they first met.

In the restaurant whilst sitting at the table - which was reserved by her, he was wondering and trying to explore the reason for her transformation. He looked into her eyes, held her hand and asked very politely: “Dear you look amazing, and you have changed over the last few days. What is the reason”

She smiled and said: “I am also surprised! You are sitting with me at a place of my choice, holding my hand, looking into my eyes, and not looking into your Mobile, or staring at other girls passing by! - Isn't it strange”

She then picked up her mobile phone and clicked a selfie of herself and forwarded it to someone. A few seconds later a message came back to her phone...

By now he was feeling very uncomfortable...

She smiled and announced "I am in Love!!!"

He was shocked! Immediately his heart sank...But for the first time after many years he had also started loving her and didn't want to loose her!

Composing himself he asked: "Who is he?"

She smiled and said: “It’s not a he it's a she...Infact It's not a she.....it's me! - I love myself, I love spending time with people that I love, visit places I like, I am alive! And you know what I have realised you also love me more when I love myself...”

He had tears in his eyes and with a sigh of relief...he said sorry to her and promised he will not keep unreasonable expectations from her and will respect her always...Now he knows the lady who is with him is alive, confident and deserves love and respect and if not given by him she will find it elsewhere.

MORAL OF THE STORY:
So ladies, life is beautiful, spend some time with yourself, love yourself, respect yourself, and value yourself...🥰

And Men, spend time to understand your partner’s emotions, their wants, desires and expectations - just as much as your expectations from her !!!

- Sanjay Jagatia

fans

21/02/2026

Please book your tickets asap at - https://www.tickettailor.com/events/hssbsk/2068220

Join us for a grand Holi celebration filled with vibrant colours, music, dance, cultural events followed by delicious food! Let’s come together as a community to celebrate joy, unity, and the spirit of togetherness 🌈🎉.