In a moment that marked a spiritual milestone in the annals of British political history, the sacred verses of the Hanuman Chalisa echoed through the hallowed halls of the UK Parliament on July 16. The historic recitation was led by none other than Pandit Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, popularly known as Bageshwar Dham Sarkar, during his visit to the United Kingdom.
This unprecedented spiritual moment unfolded in the presence of British officials, lawmakers, and members of the Indian diaspora, many of whom joined in heartfelt devotion, chanting the Hanuman Chalisa alongside Shastri. The event was captured in a video shared by the official X handle of Bageshwar Dham, which quickly went viral, drawing praise from devotees across the globe.
“For the first time in the history of London’s Parliament, Shri Hanuman Chalisa was recited by the revered Bageshwar Dham Sarkar… All guests present in the Parliament recited with devotion,” read the caption posted with the video clip.
लंदन के संसद के इतिहास में पहली बार… श्री हनुमान चालीसा पाठ पूज्य सरकार द्वारा..संसद में आए सभी अतिथियों ने मनोभाव से किया पाठ… #bageshwardhamsarkar #london #hanumanchalisa #parliament #bageshwardhamlondon #bageshwardham #acharyadhirendrakrishnashastri pic.twitter.com/yI8Ov4ga1D
— Bageshwar Dham Sarkar (Official) (@bageshwardham) July 16, 2025
The recitation marked the first instance of an Indian religious scripture being performed inside the British Parliament, a venue traditionally known for debates on global diplomacy, governance, and secular legislation. The spiritual gathering was not just symbolic of growing Indo-British cultural ties but also reflected the increasing visibility and influence of Sanatana Dharma on global platforms.
In the video, Pandit Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, clad in his signature saffron attire, is seen calmly leading the chant, while a group of dignitaries and community members including Parliament officials, respond in unison. The atmosphere, usually reserved for solemn political discussion, was transformed into one of devotion and unity.
The visit comes amidst Shastri’s ongoing international outreach, which has included spiritual events and discourses in Australia, the US, and Europe. Known for his powerful oratory, storytelling, and claims of divya shakti (divine power), Shastri has drawn both large crowds and media attention abroad. His supporters hail him as a modern-day saint preserving Indian values, while critics have often scrutinised his statements and lifestyle.
Earlier this year in April, the Hanuman Chalisa made headlines outside the Pakistan High Commission in London, where Indian diaspora members recited the text in protest after the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu & Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 pilgrims. That event was seen as a cultural assertion of identity in response to growing threats to Hindu pilgrims and religious sites.
This week’s Parliament recitation, however, carried a different tone — one of harmony and recognition. Lawmakers participating in the chant signaled an increasing acceptance of Indian spiritual practices in formal Western institutions.
Shastri’s UK visit has also reignited discussions online, especially after images from his Australia tour earlier this year resurfaced. The young preacher from Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh, was seen aboard a cruise ship and on a flight wearing designer sunglasses and a modern jacket — leading to a wave of trolling and debates about expectations from religious figures in the digital age.
Religious leaders, members of the Hindu community, and interfaith groups have welcomed this moment in the UK Parliament, calling it a “sign of changing times.” For many, the echo of Hanuman Chalisa in the heart of British governance stood as a powerful reminder of India’s spiritual soft power on the world stage.
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