The auspicious occasion marked the birth anniversary of Aksharbrahma Gunatitanand Swami, the first spiritual successor of Bhagwan Shri Swaminarayan and the eternal manifestation of Aksharbrahma. On this sacred day, Param Pujya Mahant Swami Maharaj completed the Pran Pratishtha Mahotsav of the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Morbi.
The concluding celebrations included the inauguration of the Shikharbaddh Mandir and the Sharad Purnima festival, held from 4.30 pm to 8 pm (11 am to 3:30 pm GMT). Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendrabhai Patel attended alongside Mahant Swami Maharaj, state ministers and other dignitaries. Around 25,000 devotees gather for the grand temple inauguration ceremony.
The programme opened with devotional dhun, kirtan and aarti. Pujya Adarshjivan Swami spoke on Gunatitanand Swami as the original Akshar and the significance of the consecration, followed by a video highlighting the preceding two days of celebrations and Pujya Gyanvatsal Swami’s address on service, character-building and faith.
Pujya Brahmavihari Swami appreciated the efforts of all those involved in the temple’s construction. Chief Minister Bhupendrabhai Patel praised BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha for preserving Sanatan Dharma and contributing to social progress, while expressing admiration for the temple and gratitude to Mahant Swami Maharaj for his guidance.
In his blessings, Mahant Swami Maharaj thanked the Chief Minister for attending the ceremony and prayed for the happiness and prosperity of all temple visitors. The gathering also featured addresses on the temple’s history and the Gunatit saintly tradition, along with recognition of key contributors, including the Chudasama family.
The newly inaugurated temple stands 83 feet high, 203 feet long and 130 feet wide across an eight-acre campus. Built with sandstone from Bansi Paharpur and white marble from Ambaji, it features five sanctums with 17 principal murtis, while the wider complex houses 1,007 murtis.
At the entrance, a striking sculpture of Bhagwan Swaminarayan riding the Roza horse measures 5 feet wide, 12 feet long and 18 feet high. Inside, the first sanctum houses Radha-Krishna Bhagwan, while the central sanctum enshrines Bhagwan Swaminarayan and Aksharbrahma Gunatitanand Swami, representing Akshar-Purushottam Darshan. The third sanctum features Ghanshyam Maharaj, while the remaining sanctums house Shri Ramchandraji, Mata Sita, Shri Hanumanji, Bhagwan Shivji, Mata Parvatiji and Shri Ganpatiji. Completing this sacred ensemble, the lower podium features Shri Nilkanth Varni Maharaj and the five Gunatit Gurus: Bhagatji Maharaj, Shastriji Maharaj, Yogiji Maharaj, Pramukh Swami Maharaj and Mahant Swami Maharaj.
Mahant Swami Maharaj arrives in Morbi for temple consecration
Morbi, the world-renowned ceramic hub on the banks of the Machchhu River, witnessed a major spiritual occasion on Dussehra as His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, spiritual head of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, arrived in the morning to preside over the Pran Pratishtha Mahotsav of the newly built BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir.
Industrialists, dignitaries and thousands of devotees warmly welcomed him. The route to the shrine was decorated with colourful balloon arches, a carpeted pathway and vibrant rangoli, creating a festive atmosphere.
On this sacred occasion, Pujya Mahant Swami Maharaj released balloons bearing the temple consecration festival logo, joined by thousands of devotees celebrating his arrival with colourful balloons.
In his welcome address, Pujya Apurvamuni Swami noted that Mahant Swami Maharaj had returned to bless Morbi after exactly 7 years, 4 months, 2 days and 17 hours. Pujya Brahmatirth Swami and Pujya Atmakirti Swami welcomed him with floral garlands. Marking Dussehra, Swamishri also blessed devotees with fafda-jalebi as prasad, adding to the festive spirit.
‘Vishwa Shanti Mahayagna’ for global peace held as part of temple consecration
The Vishwa Shanti Mahayagna commenced at 7.30 am (2:00 am) on Friday, 23 October 2026, at the temple’s Vedic Yagnashala, with revered sadhus and Vedic Brahmins chanting sacred mantras.
Yajmans (ritual hosts) travelled from across India and countries including the United States, Australia, the UAE, South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. More than 150 participants from various African nations joined the sacred ceremony.
Under the guidance of Pujya Shrutiprakash Swami, 25 Vedic Brahmins performed the prescribed rituals, lighting the yagna’s sacred fire with the eternal flame from Akshar Deri in Gondal. Around 5,000 yajmans participated in the first day of the Vishwa Shanti Mahayagna, offering oblations and praying for global peace and prosperity.
The event was attended by Morbi MLA Durlabhjibhai Dethariya, former minister Brijeshbhai Merja, BJP leaders and senior district officials.
At 93, Pujya Mahant Swami Maharaj visited the yagnashala, blessed the yajmans, performed the aarti and offered floral tributes. He prayed for global peace, happiness, dharma and the well-being of all.
BAPS Satsang Mandal sadhus have invited residents to join the celebrations with their families and seek blessings.
Grand Thakorji procession fills Morbi with devotion
Inspired by the vision of Brahmaswarup Pramukh Swami Maharaj, who advanced Sanatan culture through iconic temples such as Akshardham in Gandhinagar and Delhi, and brought to fruition by Pragat Brahmaswarup Guruhari Mahant Swami Maharaj, known for overseeing landmark temples in the United States, Abu Dhabi and Paris, a magnificent pink-stone BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir has been built on the banks of the Machchhu River in Morbi.
A procession carrying the sacred murtis of Thakorji passed through Morbi’s main streets, where residents welcomed the deities with flower showers and colourful rangolis along the 6.5-kilometre route. Thousands of devotees, volunteers and residents from India and abroad joined the procession, including around 500 sadhus, 5,000 male devotees and 6,000 female devotees, celebrating India’s rich cultural heritage and reflecting BAPS’s commitment to spiritual and social welfare.
