Kate joins Hindu worshippers in dance during visit to temple
A barefoot Princess of Wales danced with Hindu worshippers when she visited their temple to learn about the religion and culture.
Kate was first garlanded with flowers and a light-coloured bindi was pressed between her eyes before she joined the women-only group performing a traditional garba dance in front of a statue of the Hindu deity Lord Krishna.
The future Queen spent the day in Leicester touring the Shreeji Dham Haveli Hindu Temple and visited award-winning choreographer Aakash Odedra’s dance company in the city.
After a performance by the artist’s group, when Kate was given a red rose, she said: “My children would love it, they love their dance.”
She had her chance to dance the garba at the Hindu temple, performed in a circle with the women repeatedly turning to face the left, then right, as the circle rotated.
Mr Kachela said Kate’s gesture was “absolutely amazing”, adding: “This visit means a lot. There’s not just one faith, one religion out there, there are many faiths and religions.
“It means a lot to have somebody of such importance and significance actually come in and try and understand, and try to acknowledge what we’re doing here.”
She followed tradition and took off her high heels before entering the temple, and met volunteer worshippers who made her garland from rose petals.
She also made an offering to Krishna, pouring a small amount of milk, favoured by the deity, before walking around a large symbolic model of a mountain the god appeared on.
The temple is dedicated to the teachings of 16th century Hindu saint Shrimad Vallabhacharya Mahaprabhuji, and serves the religious figure’s followers in the local community.
Over lunch Kate quizzed volunteers about their work with the congregation and was told how they provide services for the young and old from yoga classes to language lessons and musical programmes.
Earlier the princess walked part of Leicester’s Golden Mile, a road famous for having one of the highest concentrations of Indian jewellery, saree, and fashion boutiques in the UK – and revealed her tolerance for hot spices.
Mr Lakhani said: “We didn’t want to let her go, we wanted to kind of hold on to her – we even told her that, we said ‘we would keep you here all day but we can’t’.”
Mrs Lakhani said: “She was so warm, so kind, so approachable as soon as she came in.”
When trying a chutney made with green chillies, the princess told the couple: “I’m OK with spice.”
The princess told the restaurant owners, while sipping tea and trying savoury snacks and sweets: “Congratulations, it’s amazing your business is still thriving.”
The princess also visited sari shop Ladlee, where she remarked on “absolutely extraordinary” outfits, which she described as a “real celebration of colour”.