Today was the fifth day of Derawasi Paryushan – Mahavir Jayanti. 

This morning talk on Kalpsutra Vachan at the Kenton Derasar was on the period leading to the birth of Mahavir Swami and Janma Mahotsav. Vinubhai also talked about the early childhood of Mahavir Swami and Diksha Mahotsav and varghodo. Relevant passages from the Kalpa Sutra were read. There was samuh chaitya vandan and arti/mangal divo after the talk. All those attended were given prabhavna of packet of Saffron (Kesar). This was from Kanchanben Zaverchand Mehta & Family.

Around 200 people attended pratikraman and this increased to more than 500 soon after the Bhavna started . The musicians from India (Ashishbhai of Ahmedabad) were again in their true form. Today we had two sponsors for the Bhavna - our committee member, Mrs Daxaben Arunbhai Doshi and Late Navinchandra Patwa and Family. You can sponsor each day's Bhavna for £51. Tomorrow's Bhavna is sponsored by Mrs Rasilaben Prabhudas Shah on the occasion of her daughter Bina's birthday. If you haven't listened to Ashishbhai, then you should at least hear him once. This is what a well wisher has to say about Ashishbhai's music:

‘ One thing I have realised that Bhavna by MF, in Kingsbury, really gives spiritual upliftment and creates a 'bhav', atmosphere. Artists with manjira and traditional instruments really give ‘bhakti' kind of vibrations. Ashsihbhai sings with 'dilse'. No modern touch but simplicity and quite appropriate to the occasion. We enjoy throughout the year a modern entertainment. These eight days should be devoted to simplicity. Due to circumstances I could not attend yesterday, but I missed it.'

Today's Pratikraman was jointly sponsored by Late Chanchalben Shantilal Mehta & Family, Urmilaben Kapashi and Sarojben Dipendra Shah (£401) and their families and friends started the pratikraman with Navkar mantra. You can sponsor a pratikraman for £401. PLEASE NOTE THAT TOMORROW'S PRATIKRAMAN WILL STATRT AT THE ADVERTISED TIME OF 6:30 PM.

Today 3 year old Hemani Patwa recited a stuti on the occasion of her birthday. The grandchildren of Patwa Family had prepared beautiful Birthday Cards for Mahavir Swami which they handed to Vinubhai.

Today's programme was graced by the Mayor of Brent, Mr Harshadbhai Patel and other dignitaries. We are pleased and grateful that he stayed right to the end and even participated in Sapna vadhavana and garba. The Sapna and other Utchavnis were quite lively – actually we had record utchavni this year and during the course of the evening we raised £15,371. Various sapnas were taken by the following:

As noted above the parnu has been taken by the family of Divyakant Mazni and he has asked me invite everyone to his house for Darshan. His address is 36 Christchurch Avenue , Stanmore (near Kenton library).

Today's prabhavna of Agarbati and penda was sponsored by Vora Brothers. You can sponsor any day's prabhavna for £151. Tomorrow's prabhavna is sponsored by Dineshbhai Mehta. 

Druv Gadhvi from Zee TV filmed the whole of Mahavir Jayanti Celebration. He was there to the end and this programme will be shown on Zee TV's ‘Out and About' on Sat 29 th Sept at 6:00 pm and will be repeated on Sunday morning (30 th September at the usual time (10:30 am, I think). We are grateful to Dhruv.

Announcements:

· Coupons for 108 artis for Friday 14 th September are now on sale at £11 each. Lot of coupons have been sold. There are few left and they can be obtained from Chandrakantbhai Doshi.

· Tapsvi's names (those who have done 3 or more fasts and children under 12 who have done one fast or more) should be given to Navinbhai Shah, our treasurer.

· If you wish to support Mahavir Foundation, why not become member. Contact Navinbhai Shah or Prafulbhai Vora.

· Swamivatsalya: This will be held at the Kingsbury High School on Sunday 7th October and will follow Rushabhdev Poojan. There is a nakro of £21 for those who wish to participate in this Poojan. The dinner this year is in the memory of Late Lilamgauri Prabhudas Rajpal Kothary and has been fully sponsored by the Kothary family. We are still seeking a sponsor for the Hall (£401). If you are interested in this sponsorship, please contact Vinubhai Kapashi or any of the committee members.

· Ashishbhai's CDs of Jain music are available for sale during the Bhavna each day.

· Today's photographs were taken by Mrs Ushaben Surendra Mehta and they can be viewed on the MF website.