With the divine grace of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Adelaide, Australia, was inaugurated by Pujya Keshavjivan Swami (Pujya Mahant Swami) on Sunday, 12 April 2015.
The Mandir Mahotsav celebrations were spread over four days from 9th April to 12th April 2015.
9th April, Thursday, Welcome Assembly
Pujya Mahant Swami arrived at the mandir located at Green Fields with other sadhus. The environment was charged with excitement and devotion as devotees were keen to witness this historic event led by Pujya Mahant Swami, with the blessings of Pramukh Swami Maharaj. In the evening, a commemoration assembly was held to welcome Pujya Mahant Swami and sadhus. Children performed an artistic dance followed by discourses by the sadhus.
10th April, Friday, Mahila Din
The second day was celebrated as Mahila Sanskrutik Din which recognised the role of women in satsang and in the wider society. This event of a Women's Cultural Program focussed on the significance of mandir, which was narrated to the audience in the form of a panel discussion, dance and a range of other presentations. Over 800 female devotees and well wishers attended this event to offer their devotion to their beloved Guru and enrich their spiritual knowledge.
11th April, Saturday, Vishwashanti Mahayaag and Nagar Yatra
Leading up to the murti-pratishta ceremony, a grand Vishwa Shanti Mahayaag was organised in the morning. This yagna was the first of its kind in Australia in which over a thousand yajmans chanted Vedic verses under the guidance of learned sadhus and brahmins. Pujya Mahant Swami headed this Vedic ritual and offered his prayers at the feet of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and Pramukh Swami Maharaj for world peace and for the well being of all.
In the evening, the Nagar Yatra - a procession of the murtis in colourful and elaborately decorated floats - took place. More than a thousand devotees and well wishers participated in this procession. Devotees rejoiced at the sight of the murtis in colourful chariots and offered their devotion in the form of traditional dances and by singing devotional songs. A traditional Indian folk band was also one of the highlights of this event. The Nagar Yatra culminated at the mandir in the presence of Pujya Mahant Swami where he blessed the devotees with his discourse.
12th April, Sunday, Murti-Pratishtha
The murti-pratishtha rituals were performed previously by Pramukh Swami Maharaj on 24th November 2014 in Sarangpur.
A pratishtha mahapuja was performed in the morning where devotees and well wishers offered prayers for peace and well-being to prevail in the local community. The murtis were consecrated in their respective shrines by Pujya Mahant Swami to the accompaniement of Vedic rituals.
Hon. Jay Wetherill MP, Premier of South Australia attended this event to offer his best wishes. Hon. Tony Abbott MP, Prime Minister of Australia, also extended his wishes through a written message on this auspicious occasion.
The devotees in Adelaide were blessed to witness the consecration of an abhishek murti of Shri Nilkanth Varni Maharaj. Following this a cultural program was displayed by BAPS youths in the evening. This program fittingly echoed the tireless efforts of all devotees in the making of this Mandir.
The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Adelaide, is a result of the dedication and devotion of BAPS devotees and sadhus. Over 2000 devotees participated in this magnificent mandir mahotsav over four days, which marked the culmination of a seven year journey of selfless service, devotion, sacrifice and dedication.