Queen Elizabeth (QE) Hospital Birmingham recently inaugurated a new Dharmic Prayer Room, as a dedicated space for patients, families and staff for prayer, meditation and reflection.
The room, catering to followers of Dharmic faiths such as Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism, and Buddhism, reflects the hospital’s drive to promote inclusive existence and growth.
The project, supported by a team of dedicated volunteers, overcame numerous challenges to bring this vital resource to the hospital. Volunteers had travelled to numerous mandirs in Birmingham as a pilgrimage, to collect the gangajal theerth (divine water) in a kalash (a brass container), which was used in the gangajal purification ceremony post chaamara seve and procession.
Earlier this month, after a deepa prajwalana, prana prathistapana ceremony was conducted and the dharmic ceremony concluded with aarti, pushpaarchana and the distribution of prasadam.
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“The Hindu community is immensely proud of the outcome. The dedication of volunteers from across community members and INSIGHT UK making this event a grand success has been truly inspiring,” the community organisation said with reference to the inauguration ceremony for the new room.
With a turnout of over 300 people across the community and QE staff, including doctors, politicians and key members of various Hindu communities, the launch event also stands out as a great testament to the collective effort of the united Hindu community. Local community members and volunteers were instrumental in taking up this initiative, planning and opening of the new room.
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The spokesperson for the initiative said: “We are overwhelmed by the turnout and the support we have received. This prayer room is a testament to the power of community and the importance of providing spiritual support to those in need. We are so grateful to everyone who joined us.
“Our special thanks to Queen Elizabeth Hospital and all its members of staff and leadership for their inclusive efforts towards on-ground representation of the sentiments and requirements of the Hindu community and also for allowing us to host this wonderful event.”
