YEAR IN REVIEW 2025–2026
Celebrating Our Heritage. Strengthening Our Communities. Building a United Bradford.
The past year has been one of celebration, collaboration and meaningful community engagement for the Bradford Hindu Council (BHC). Through cultural festivals, interfaith initiatives, sporting events and civic commemorations, BHC has continued to champion Hindu values, celebrate our rich heritage and strengthen relationships across Bradford’s diverse communities.
From hosting Bradford’s first Gita Festival to bringing communities together through cricket, celebrating India’s Independence Day and sharing the stories of Diwali at a historic National Trust property, our work has demonstrated the positive contribution of the Hindu community to the life of our district.
Here are some of the highlights of an inspiring year.
1. Bradford’s First Gita Festival – A Celebration of Spiritual Wisdom
On the auspicious occasion of Raksha Bandhan, BHC had the special privilege of hosting Bradford’s very first Gita Festival at the Cedar Court Hotel. More than 275 members of our community gathered for an evening of devotion, cultural performances, sacred teachings and practical wisdom inspired by the Bhagavad Gita.
The festival celebrated the timeless message of the Gita, encouraging people to live with compassion, integrity, selflessness and respect for others.
BHC extends its sincere gratitude to our partners and supporters, including GIEO GITA UK, CGI Manchester, Leeds Hindu Forum, HSS UK, HCS Bradford and the Vice Consul, Mr Pradeep Kumar Mishra, from Manchester.
This landmark event was a proud moment for Bradford’s Hindu community and an important step in sharing the universal wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita more widely.
2. Celebrating Bishop Toby – A Champion of Interfaith Unity
When Bishop Toby began his farewell tour outside Bradford Town Hall, it was a particularly meaningful moment for BHC.
Throughout his 12 years of service, Bishop Toby has been far more than a senior church leader. He has been a trusted friend, a valued ally and a passionate advocate for interfaith understanding and community cohesion.
BHC recognises his contribution to building relationships between people of different faiths and backgrounds. His friendship and leadership have helped demonstrate that mutual respect, dialogue and cooperation are essential to creating a stronger and more inclusive Bradford.
We thank Bishop Toby for his service and wish him every success and happiness in the next chapter of his journey.
3. India’s 80th Independence Day – One People, One Nation, One Bharat
BHC celebrated India’s 80th Independence Day in a proud, emotional and memorable tribute to Bharat.
Our celebrations showcased India’s extraordinary diversity, bringing together the music, dance, languages, traditions and customs of the North, South, East and West.
Each performance reflected the richness of India’s cultural heritage and the remarkable diversity that makes the country unique. Yet the central message was one of unity: despite our many languages, traditions and regional identities, we share a common national spirit.
The celebration was an opportunity to honour India’s independence, recognise the sacrifices made by those who fought for freedom and pass the values of heritage, patriotism and cultural pride to younger generations.
Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat — One India, a great India.
4. Breaking Barriers Through Interfaith Cricket
A landmark men’s tournament and BHC’s first-ever women’s interfaith fixture
Sport has a unique ability to bring people together, and BHC proudly championed this principle through its interfaith cricket initiatives.
The men’s tournament brought participants from different faiths and backgrounds together through teamwork, friendly competition and shared experiences. Cricket became a common language, helping build friendships beyond traditional social and religious boundaries.
An equally important milestone was the introduction of BHC’s first-ever women’s interfaith cricket fixture.
This was a significant step towards promoting inclusion and gender equality, creating opportunities for women and girls from different faith communities to participate in sport, develop confidence and build lasting connections.
BHC remains committed to encouraging wider participation, challenging barriers and ensuring that community activities are welcoming and accessible to all.
5. Diwali Awards – Celebrating Our Unsung Heroes
The Bradford Hindu Council’s Diwali Awards and Dinner Dance continued to provide an opportunity to celebrate the remarkable individuals who make a difference to our community.
The awards recognise the dedication of volunteers, community champions and individuals whose contributions often take place quietly, without expectation of recognition or reward.
From supporting young people and promoting sport to advancing charitable work, mental health awareness, cultural heritage and community unity, these individuals demonstrate the values of sewa — selfless service — in action.
The Diwali Awards are more than a celebration. They are a reminder that strong communities are built through the commitment, generosity and compassion of ordinary people doing extraordinary things.
As BHC looks ahead to future awards, we encourage everyone to nominate deserving individuals whose voluntary contributions strengthen our community and inspire others.
6. Championing Community Cohesion Across Bradford
BHC was proud to participate in the launch of Bradford’s district cohesion initiative, reaffirming our commitment to building a fairer, safer and more welcoming community for everyone.
Creating a cohesive Bradford requires more than policies and strategies. It depends on people working together at grassroots level, developing trust, challenging prejudice and building genuine relationships across communities.
BHC believes that every community has a valuable role to play in shaping Bradford’s future. Through dialogue, cooperation and shared action, we can help ensure that people of different faiths, cultures and backgrounds feel respected, valued and included.
Our participation reflected the Council’s continued commitment to partnership working and to strengthening the social fabric of our district.
7. Upholding Dharma at the Srebrenica Memorial
Remembering the past. Challenging hatred. Standing together.
BHC was proud to stand in solidarity at the 31st Srebrenica Memorial, responding to the powerful call, “We Are Here”.
Our participation reflected a fundamental Hindu principle: Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam — the world is one family.
This timeless teaching reminds us that the suffering of one community should concern us all. It calls on us to recognise our shared humanity and to stand alongside those affected by hatred, persecution and injustice.
Genocide and mass violence do not emerge in isolation. They are often preceded by prejudice, discrimination, dehumanising language and the dangerous division of society into “us” and “them”.
For BHC, remembrance is therefore not simply about looking back. It is a commitment to educating future generations, challenging racism and discrimination, and promoting compassion, dignity and peace.
By standing together, we honour the victims and survivors of Srebrenica and reaffirm our collective responsibility to prevent hatred from taking root in our communities.
8. Harmony Festival – Celebrating India’s New Year Traditions
The Harmony Festival celebrates the richness of Indian culture and the shared values that bring communities together.
April is a particularly meaningful time for many Indian communities, as numerous states and cultural traditions celebrate their New Year during this period. These celebrations reflect India’s extraordinary cultural diversity, with different regions welcoming the new year through distinctive customs, music, food and festivities.
The Harmony Festival uses this spirit of renewal as an opportunity to bring people together, encourage cultural exchange and celebrate the traditions that make our communities unique.
Its message is simple but powerful: we can take pride in our individual identities while embracing the values and experiences we share.
Through initiatives such as Harmony, BHC continues to promote friendship, mutual understanding and a sense of belonging across Bradford.
9. Remembrance Sunday – Honouring Sacrifice and Service
BHC was honoured to participate fully in the City of Bradford’s Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph.
This solemn and deeply moving occasion brought people together across religious and cultural boundaries to remember those who sacrificed their lives in the pursuit of freedom and peace.
Remembrance is a shared responsibility. It allows us to honour the courage and service of previous generations while reflecting on the importance of peace, tolerance and international understanding today.
BHC’s participation reaffirmed the Hindu community’s commitment to civic life and to remembering all those whose sacrifices helped shape the freedoms we enjoy.
We will continue to stand alongside Bradford’s wider community in honouring the past and working towards a peaceful future.
10. Diwali at East Riddlesden Hall – Sharing the Stories of Diwali
A landmark partnership with the National Trust
The spirit of Diwali illuminated the historic surroundings of the National Trust’s East Riddlesden Hall in October 2025 through the successful launch of The Stories of Diwali.
Developed through collaboration between BHC and the National Trust, the festival ran from 11 to 22 October 2025, providing opportunities for visitors to discover the meaning, traditions and stories behind the Festival of Lights.
The partnership demonstrated the value of working together to make heritage and cultural experiences accessible to wider audiences. By sharing Hindu traditions within a historic setting, the initiative encouraged cultural understanding and helped connect local communities with the rich stories that shape their identities.
BHC is grateful to the National Trust for its partnership and commitment to co-curating meaningful cultural experiences.
This collaboration represents an important step towards ensuring that the stories, beliefs and contributions of Bradford’s Hindu community are recognised as an integral part of Britain’s shared cultural heritage.
11. Sacred Threads and Stories – Sharing Hindu Heritage at Bradford 2025
As part of Bradford’s UK City of Culture 2025 celebrations, BHC was honoured to participate in the Tent of Hope’s Market Place of Faith & Creativity at Lister Park.
Our stall, “Sacred Threads and Stories,” created a colourful and welcoming space where visitors could explore Hindu traditions, discover cultural stories and engage in conversations about faith and identity.
Through interactive experiences and informal conversations, the stall encouraged people from different backgrounds to learn from one another and appreciate the values, customs and traditions that enrich our shared society.
The enthusiastic engagement of visitors demonstrated the importance of creating opportunities for communities to tell their own stories and share their heritage in an open and welcoming environment.
BHC was proud to contribute to Bradford’s year as UK City of Culture, celebrating the district’s diversity and highlighting the positive role that faith and cultural organisations play in community life.
12 . 108 Hanuman Chalisa Path – A Celebration of Faith, Devotion and Community Spirit
The recitation of the Hanuman Chalisa 108 times is a deeply meaningful act of devotion, honouring Lord Hanuman and seeking his blessings for strength, courage, wisdom and well-being. The sacred number 108 holds special significance in Hindu tradition, symbolising spiritual completeness and devotion.
The event brought together around 300 attendees in an atmosphere filled with faith, unity and devotion. The IWCUK group ladies and dedicated volunteers from various organisations worked seamlessly together to prepare and serve delicious meals, demonstrating the true spirit of teamwork and selfless service.
The SPA Management team played a pivotal role in hosting the event and ensuring its smooth running and success. Attendees were captivated by the remarkable variety of singing styles, rhythms and devotional melodies, which created a truly uplifting spiritual experience.
Special appreciation goes to Shree RamKrishna Bhajan Mandali from Leeds, whose invaluable support throughout the day helped ensure the successful completion of all 108 recitations of the Hanuman Chalisa.
The event was a wonderful testament to the power of collective prayer, community collaboration and sewa (selfless service), bringing people together through their shared faith and devotion to Lord Hanuman.
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Looking Ahead – Continuing Our Commitment to Bradford
The achievements of 2025–2026 reflect the dedication of BHC’s trustees, volunteers, partner organisations and the wider Hindu community.
Whether celebrating the wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita, sharing the traditions of Diwali, promoting women’s participation in sport, honouring those who sacrificed their lives for peace or standing alongside communities affected by hatred and persecution, our work is guided by a consistent set of principles: sewa, compassion, respect, inclusion and unity.
We recognise that community cohesion is an ongoing journey. It requires sustained effort, meaningful partnerships, open dialogue and a willingness to stand together when it matters most.
As we move forward, BHC will continue to:
- Celebrate Hindu heritage and share its rich cultural, spiritual and philosophical traditions.
- Strengthen interfaith relationships through dialogue, collaboration and shared community activities.
- Empower women and young people by creating opportunities for participation, leadership and personal development.
- Promote inclusion and community cohesion by challenging prejudice and building bridges across communities.
- Recognise voluntary service and celebrate the individuals who make a positive difference to Bradford.
- Work in partnership with civic institutions, cultural organisations, faith groups and community partners to build a stronger district.
Thank You to Our Community
None of this work would be possible without the time, generosity and commitment of the many people and organisations who support BHC throughout the year.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to our volunteers, trustees, partner organisations, sponsors, community leaders and everyone who has participated in and supported our events.
Together, we are helping to build a Bradford where diversity is celebrated, heritage is respected and every community has the opportunity to contribute and thrive.
Bradford Hindu Council — Celebrating our heritage, serving our community and building a united future.
Jai Shri Krishna.
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