His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj inaugurated the Akshar-Purushottam Sanskrit Pathshala at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, London, on Sunday 11 October 2026, fulfilling a cherished wish inspired by his guru, Yogiji Maharaj, to encourage the study and use of Sanskrit among children and young people.
During the Satsang Diksha Sanman Mahotsav on 24 September, Mahant Swami Maharaj had expressed his wish in a specially written letter for a Sanskrit pathshala (school) to be established at the Mandir during his visit to London. The inauguration marked the fulfilment of that resolve and an important milestone in the preservation and promotion of Sanskrit within the UK.
Addressing the assembly, Mahamahopadhyay Bhadreshdas Swami reflected on the longstanding tradition of Sanskrit learning and scholarship within the Swaminarayan Sampradaya. From the composition of scriptures during the lifetime of Bhagwan Swaminarayan to the encouragement of Sanskrit studies by Shastriji Maharaj, Yogiji Maharaj and Pramukh Swami Maharaj, he highlighted the spiritual and scholarly legacy upon which the new pathshala would build.
Bhadreshdas Swami also shared Mahant Swami Maharaj’s aspiration for children, teenagers and young adults, both boys and girls, in London to learn and converse in Sanskrit. He revealed that Mahant Swami Maharaj had personally named the new institution Akshar-Purushottam Sanskrit Pathshala, drawing an enthusiastic response from the assembly.
The inauguration programme included a special Sanskrit presentation by young vidvans (scholars). Through an engaging dialogue, they reflected on the significant milestones of Mahant Swami Maharaj’s spiritual visit to Paris and London, before expressing their gratitude for the establishment of the pathshala. Their presentation highlighted how the initiative embodied guru-bhakti (devotion to the guru), carrying forward Yogiji Maharaj’s vision for Sanskrit learning.
The occasion was particularly significant with around 350 young scholars already associated with Sanskrit learning before the formal launch, reflecting the enthusiasm and strong foundation for the initiative.
The inauguration included traditional rituals, with pujan offered to Akshar-Purushottam Maharaj, the ceremonial worship of the inauguration plaque and the lighting of a sacred lamp by Mahant Swami Maharaj, symbolising the illumination of knowledge.
In his blessings, Mahant Swami Maharaj spoke in Sanskrit, expressing his appreciation for the language and encouraging its study. He explained how Sanskrit learning would help spread understanding of the greatness of Akshar-Purushottam Maharaj and strengthen the spiritual foundations of future generations.
The inauguration of Akshar-Purushottam Sanskrit Pathshala marked a meaningful new chapter in Sanskrit education at Neasden Temple, nurturing linguistic scholarship, spiritual understanding and the enduring vision of Yogiji Maharaj among generations to come.
