MONMOUTH, SOUTH WALES, January 20, 2009: A vibrant Hindu blessing ceremony heralded the opening of a new #10million state-of-the-art care village in Monmouth. The ceremony, performed by Hindu priest Rajubhai Mehta, began with prayers to Lord Ganesha to remove all obstacles. An idol was bathed and anointed with colored powder and fresh flowers, mantras were chanted asking for peace and harmony, and a fire or havan was lit to cleanse and purify the air. The service ended with the symbolic breaking of a coconut to bless the vitality of the home and all those that live and work there.
Monmouth mayor Terry Christopher said, “This was a unique and spiritual experience and one that my wife and I are honored to be part of. The village has already attracted significant interest from the local community, both for retirement accommodation and for the number of job opportunities it brings to the area.”
The care village includes 35 independent cottages and a 90-bed nursing home, with a hydrotherapy pool, spa, cinema, library and therapy rooms. Ceremonies were held at each stage of the development to ask for blessings from the Gods.