His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj inaugurated the new BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Chigwell, East London, on Sunday 8 October 2017. He and accompanying swamis performed the murti-pratishtha vidhi – a special Vedic ceremony infusing the images with the divine presence of the deities.
It marked the first such opening of a temple in a London borough, and the first performed by Mahant Swami Maharaj in the UK.
BAPS Satsang activities in East London have grown steadily since 1963 when religious assemblies and festivals were conducted at various houses and hired halls with a handful of devotees. The new mandir (Hindu temple) will not only serve as a place of worship for the enthusiastic local fellowship, but also as the hub of children’s, youth, educational, healthcare and other charitable activities in the East London area.
Mahant Swami Maharaj had reinforced the need for such a mandir during his visit to East London in 2015. A site in Chigwell was subsequently acquired and on 29 January 2017, the Bhumi Pujan ceremony was performed there.
The morning festivities on Sunday included an annakut, a ceremonial offering of food to the deities as a mark of thanksgiving. The congregation also offered prayers for peace to prevail throughout the local community.
Devotees enjoyed a live telecast of the ceremony at the nearby Chigwell Hall. Young children welcomed Mahant Swami Maharaj to the mid-morning assembly, creating a spiritually charged atmosphere. Youths also performed a vibrant welcome dance. The history of Satsang activities in East London was presented through discourses and video presentations.
Mahant Swami Maharaj concluded the celebrations by speaking of the divine happiness experienced through such ceremonies and also prayed that worshippers and members of the local community can benefit from the new mandir.
An inspiring cultural programme of dances, dramas, devotional songs and discourses in honour of the new temple was also held on Thursday 28 September 2017 at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, London.
Lead volunteer Girish Patel shared his impressions: “The Mandir will play an important role in our society and we are absolutely delighted to see so many members of our community coming together to celebrate this momentous occasion with us.”
