The Swaminarayan temple on Deane Road celebrated ShakUtsav, as part of their annual visit by their Spiritual Leader and Guru, His Holiness Shree Acharya Purushottam Priyadasji Swamiji Maharaj. Lord Swaminarayan, the instigator of the Swaminarayn faith, decided to cook the meal with his own hands and feed his deciples and the people of Loya.This was done to demonstrate the virtues of selfless service for the benefit of the poor and the needy. With his own hands he cooked the aubergine curry which required 360kg of Ghee (clarified butter) and 1200kg of aubergines. The huge downstairs area of the Temple was meticulously and beautifully prepared by volunteers to resemble an Indian village, in order to commemorate an event 200 years, when Lord Swaminarayan hosted many poor people from surrounding villages in Gujarat and fed all of them with aubergine curry he had himself prepared. Up to 700 people attended this event in Bolton, including around 200 from London. The ShreeSwaminarayan Mandir Arts and Culture Centre on Deane Road began as a small group formed in a house just across the road from the present site – which was previously a church.Chair of the committee, Ganshyam Patel, explained that the former church was bought in 1997 and renovated over a three year period, with the project being completed in 2000. The colourful art collection here, stunningly displayed on the walls and ceiling of the temple, depicts the history of the Swaminarayan religion, based on Hinduism.The temple, one of six in Bolton, is open to everybody, regardless of religion. There are services everyday, with Sunday being the busiest day – when up to 300 people are there. The art gallery is open Monday-Sundayfrom 8am to 11am.Members of the public are invited to come and see the amazing village scene which will be left on display till Sunday 14th June. The viewing times are 8am – 11am daily.