The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Edison, NJ was inaugurated with great fanfare on August 17 and 18 in the presence of Sadguru Pujya Doctor Swami, Sadguru Pujya Ishwarcharan Swami, senior swamis from India and North America. Community members, devotees and well-wishers from the across the nation came for the inauguration celebrations.
“The inauguration of the mandir is a dream come true for thousands of devotees,” said, Himanshu Patel, a lead volunteer for the Mandir. “More than 100,000 hours were put in by volunteers for the timely completion of the construction. The inauguration of the Mandir is a great moment of joy and celebration for all of us. Today onwards, the Mandir is open to one and all.”
The inauguration was a culmination of a host of events, held over nine days. The festivities began with the Vishwa Shanti Maha Yagna, a Vedic ritual for world peace on August 10 and 11. “The sense of bliss felt while performing this yagna with (my) family was indescribable,” said Rajesh Doshi of Edison, NJ.
Nagar Yatra, a colorful procession parading the sacred images in six beautifully crafted floats through the streets of Edison, NJ took place on Friday, August 17, 2019. Audience members lined the roads as upbeat devotional songs blared through the speakers. Ami Shah described the sight as “a culturally authentic spectacle bound to get anyone up on their feet to celebrate.”
On the morning of August 17th and 18th, a Vedic ceremony known as a Murti Pratishtha was held. Sadguru Pujya Doctor Swami, Sadguru Pujya Ishwarcharan Swami, senior swamis from India and North America performed the consecration ceremony in accordance with Hindu vedic rituals to infuse divinity into the sacred images inside the Mandir.
On the evening of Saturday, August 17, 2019, an engaging two-hour musical captivated the audience through traditional Hindu culture and heritage. The cultural program, titled Mandiram, led the audience through a journey where two reporters discovered treasures found within the Mandir. Through jaw-dropping graphics, traditional dances, and festive parades, the event was able to transform the hall into a cultural extravaganza allowing the audience to experience the values that Mandir has brought into their lives. The participants and organizers of the show spent endless hours rehearsing and planning to bring this musical to life. Tilak Zinzuwadia, one of the program, leads, said, “You don’t think about how long you have been practicing for this because you feel such a strong sense of community being with your peers, and that alone makes everything so fun.”
“This cultural program presented by the children and youth of BAPS was better than a Broadway show,” said, Bawa Jain, Secretary-General for the World Council of Religious Leaders.
The Edison Township and Middlesex County officials present on the occasion were very also impressed with the new mandir and the cultural program. After attending the event, Congressman Frank Pallone of New Jersey's 6th district twitted “Thanks for having me! BAPS plays an import role in spreading positive messages of peace and tranquility.”
A women’s cultural program closed the Mandir Mahotsav celebrations on Sunday afternoon on August 18th, 2019. The theme of this program was “Divya Mandirne Vandana,” where women of all age groups collaborated to showcase how the Mandir has shaped them throughout the years. Namrata Patel, one of the performers in cultural program, said, “The fact that we have an avenue where we can showcase our devotion through dance is incredible.” The various performances were able to reinforce the validity of Hindu traditions and the pride one should have for upholding them.
His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj first inaugurated the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Edison, NJ in 1991. With the growth of devotees coming to the Mandir, there was a need for a new mandir building. The new Mandir with three stories and a mezzanine floor, totaling 150,000 sq. ft. has been built at the same location where the previous Mandir existed. The new Mandir was constructed utilizing a suite of eco-friendly and cost-effective technological advancements, including natural lighting techniques, and LED lights to help reduce its carbon footprint. The Mandir includes youth classrooms, a gymnasium, and an assembly hall to host the weekly Satsang or spiritual assemblies. The Mandir located on 2500 Woodbridge Ave., Edison, NJ will be open daily from 7 am to 11 am and 4 pm - 8 pm. Daily arti will be at 7:00 am and 6:30 pm.
“If one word could sum up the construction of this Mandir, it would be sacrifice. It was, indeed, the dedication, service, effort, and sacrifice of hundreds of volunteers from doctors to lawyers to engineers to architects who completed this Mandir”, said Director of Construction Rakesh Patel. “Whether it was raining or sweltering outside, volunteers did everything from heavy-duty labor to planning and execution of the smallest thing for making this Mandir,” concluded Patel.
His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj and His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj are the inspiration behind the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Edison, NJ. His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, the current spiritual leader of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), has not only helped raise hospitals, schools, cultural exhibitions, and other wonders such as Swaminarayan Akshardham in Delhi, Gandhinagar, and the Mandirs in Atlanta, Houston, Chicago, LA, and Toronto, but has reformed and bettered the lives of millions through his personal touch and universal message. Today, BAPS serves the global community through 160 humanitarian activities in a myriad of areas such as education, environment, health, social welfare, disaster relief and culture. This is only possible through the dedication and devotion of its members and, in particular, the 55,000 volunteers spread over 3,300 centers worldwide.
The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Edison, NJ will inspire generations to appreciate their traditions, and sacrifice for the community. For more information, please visit www.baps.org/edison and www.baps.org
About BAPS
The BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) is a worldwide spiritual organization that is dedicated to community service, peace, and harmony. Motivated by Hindu principles, BAPS strives to care for the world by caring for societies, families, and individuals. Through various spiritual and humanitarian activities, BAPS endeavors to develop better citizens of tomorrow with high esteem for their roots and culture. Its 3,300 international centers support these character-building activities. Under the guidance and leadership of His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, BAPS aspires to build a community that is free of addictions as well as morally, ethically and spiritually pure. For more details, please visit www.baps.org.
About Mahant Swami Maharaj
His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj is the sixth and current spiritual successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. He was ordained a swami by Yogiji Maharaj in 1961 and named Sadhu Keshavjivandas. As he was appointed the head (Mahant) of the Mandir in Mumbai, he became known as Mahant Swami. His devout, humble and service-focused life earned him the innermost blessings of Yogiji Maharaj and Pramukh Swami Maharaj. Mahant Swami Maharaj travels throughout the world inspiring people through his insightful spiritual discourses and disciplined conduct. His virtuous lifestyle and profound devotion to Bhagwan Swaminarayan and gurus are ideals toward which devotees strive. Mahant Swami Maharaj became the guru and President of BAPS upon Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s passing in 2016.
CONTACT: BAPS North American Headquarters
