The Murti Pratishtha Mahotsav of the reconstructed BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Gulu, Uganda, was held from 9 to 11 October 2026, with Mahant Swami Maharaj’s blessings. More than 1,000 devotees from five countries attended, and senior BAPS swamis from India and Africa performed the consecration rituals.
BAPS satsang in Gulu dates back to the 1960s, with the mandir consecrated in 1965. After Yogiji Maharaj’s 1970 visit, the murtis were moved to India and the mandir fell into disrepair.
The Ugandan government returned the property to BAPS in 1989. In 2021, the school section was handed over to Bishop Nelson Onono-Onweng, while the mandir site was retained for rebuilding.
The reconstruction was led by Jagdishbhai Patel, Bipinbhai Patel and Vikashbhai Patel under Kothari Priyavratdas Swami’s guidance, with support from Vishwakirtidas Swami and Yogimanandas Swami.
The celebrations featured cultural performances by local African devotees and were attended by former Ugandan Chief Justice Alfonse Chigamoy Owiny-Dollo. Gulu Mayor Julius Acire Labeja Gunya presented the mandir with the ‘Best Building’ Award.
A Nagar Yatra through Gulu on the second day brought together residents and devotees through music, devotional singing and cultural dances. The final day saw the Murti Pratishtha ceremony, with senior BAPS swamis performing Vedic rituals and installing the sacred murtis. Chief guest Norbert Mao, Uganda’s Justice Minister, praised the mandir as a gift to northern Uganda and the Acholi people. Other ceremonies included the Dwar Pravesh Vidhi, Yantra and Dhaja Pujan, and Seva Abhivadan Sabha.
