Most lighted candles on a cake-world record
set by the disciples of Mr. Chinmoy
QUEENS, NEW YORK, US -- To celebrate the 77th birth
anniversary of spiritual guru Sri Chinmoy, Ashrita
Furman led an international team in lighting 48,523
candles simultaneously on a cake measuring 52 by 17 feet , setting the world record for the Most lighted candles on
a cake.
About 1,000 disciples of Mr. Chinmoy, the
Queens-based spiritual leader who died last October at 76,
had gathered to celebrate their guru’s birthday.
The event was held on the asphalt driveway of
the group’s outdoor meditation area, a former tennis court
they call Aspiration-Ground, off 164th Street.
The candles were lit in a space of just two minutes
by a second team of 80 assistants with blow torches; admirers
sang “Happy Birthday” as the candles were lit and enjoyed
a piece of cake.
Ashrita
Furman, who holds 85 Guinness World record, staged
the event held in Queens suburb of New York: “Sri Chinmoy
had such a giant heart. So we celebrate his birthday with
a giant cake,” he said.
Mr. Chinmoy died on Oct. 11, 2007,
but his followers, including 200 who live near the guru’s
former home in Briarwood, continue to base their lives on
him and his teachings.
Mr. Chinmoy’s death, they believe, allowed for
the liberation of his soul. “We actually feel his presence
very strongly,” Mr. Furman said. “Almost more than before.”
Ashrita
Furman had been waiting to attempt the new record
after his previous world record for the Most lighted candles
on a cake of 27,000 candles was upset by a Canadian team
who lit 30,000 candles in Sep tember, 2006.
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Saturday, October 4, 2008
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