March 28, 2004
“Mandir is a center for realizing God, where mind becomes still, and it is a place for paramount peace”. With this credo Pramukh Swami Maharaj has created many temples and spread the glory of Hindu faith far and wide round the globe. He had started first satsang mandal in US west coast in 1974 at San Francisco. To enhance the devotion and spirituality of all devotees in San Francisco Bay Area, he inspired a magnificent mandir on a hill in the city of San Francisco. On Saturday, March 27, 2004, a spectacular Kirtan Aradhana was held in the Mandir hall. Devotees listened to the melodious kirtans from P. Saints and youths. On Sunday March 28, 2004 the BAPS Shree Swaminarayan Mandir was crowded with people who joined in the idol installation ceremony of Shree Akshar Purushottam Maharaj, Shree Radha Krishna Dev, Guru Parampara, Shree Sita Ram, Shree Shiv Paravati, Shree Ganpatiji and Shree Hanumanji.
The Vedic murti-pratishtha ceremony of the murtis installed had been performed by Param Pujya Pramukh Swami Maharaj at Amdavad on 7th July, 2003. Subsequently, these murtis were brought to the mandir in San Francisco. The traditional inauguration mahapuja ceremony took place in the esteemed presence of Sadguru Pujya Dr. Swami. Young and old, many people got connected with the Hindu traditional rituals by joining in Mahapooja. People came from surrounding locality and as far as from Los Angeles, Fresno and Portland. Annakut of 120 different varieties was offered to the idols.
The celebrations ended with an inspiring speech by Sadguru Pujya Dr. Swami.The State of California is known as a ‘golden state.’ The City of San Francisco famous for its Golden Gate Bridge has also been bestowed with divine Idols in a Golden Sinhasan and a bridge to Akshardham by this BAPS Mandir.