The newly reconstructed BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Sydney, Australia, was officially inaugurated with Vedic rituals by Pujya Ishwarcharan Swami and the State Premier of New South Wales, the Honourable Barry O'Farrell, on Sunday 9 February 2014.
The murti-pratishtha ceremony on Sunday, which marked the climax of the four-day Mandir Mahotsav, took place in the presence of BAPS sadhus, the Premier, Federal Member of Parliament (MP), Julie Owens and State MP, Dr Geoff Lee as well as many visitors from across Australia, New Zealand and the rest of Asia Pacific.
The murtis, previously sanctified and consecrated by Pramukh Swami Maharaj during his visit in 2002, were reinstalled in the new mandir amidst the chanting of Vedic mantras. This was followed by a traditional folk dance performed by children and the first arti of the murtis in the new mandir.
Premier O'Farrell praised the positive impact of satsang in the state and Australia, "This year, 2014, marks an important milestone in the BAPS community. It's been 30 years since His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj visited Australia in 1984. Over these 30 years the community has become an integral part of our multi-cultural society and our multi-faith society."
The Mandir Mahotsav celebrations included a Welcome Assembly, an assembly to launch the 150th birth anniversary celebrations of Shastriji Maharaj and a kirtan aradhana.