Monday 23 February 2009 saw the auspicious celebration of 'Maha-Shivratri' at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Neasden, London. The day began with the sacred and traditional abhishek of the Shivalinga performed by the sadhus.

The ice Shivalinga on display in the Haveli entrance evoked memories of Amarnath in India where a natural ice Shivalinga exists.

Throughout the day, devotees and visitors had the opportunity to offer bili-patra and perform abhishek of the Shivalingam. A beautiful Annakut was offered as well, in which many varieties of 'falahar' items were offered at the shrines of Ghanshyam Maharaj and Shiv-Parvati.

His Excellency, Shiv Shankar Mukherjee – the High Commissioner for India to the UK – also came for darshan on this auspicious day. The High Commissioner was very impressed by the beauty of the Mandir and also praised the community outreach work undertaken by BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha in the UK through its volunteers.