The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Canton, Michigan, was inaugurated on October 25, 2015 in the presence of Sadguru Pujya Doctor Swami (Pujya Swayamprakashdas Swami). Devotees and well-wishers from the greater Detroit area and around the region attended the celebration. The inauguration festivities began on October 18, 2015 with a Vishwashanti Mahayagna. The yagna was conducted as per traditional Vedic practice, focusing on prayers for world peace and unity. The evening program consisted of inspiring discourses by Swamis, as well as a lively kirtan-aradhana program.
The auspicious occasion of Murti Sthapan took place on October 25, 2015. The ceremony began with the traditional mahapuja followed by the murti sthapan ceremony in which the murtis of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and Aksharbrahma Gunatitanand Swami, Shri Ghanshyam Maharaj, Shri Radha-Krishna, Guru Parampara, Shri Sita-Ram-Hanumanji, and Shri Shiv-Parvati-Ganeshji were consecrated. These murtis were consecrated by His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj in Sarangpur, India on April 27, 2015.
Pujya Doctor Swami offered his blessings after the Murti Sthapan ceremony. He explained the critical role that mandirs play in communities across the globe, teaching families to build relationships rooted in understanding and encouraging children to believe that they can improve the world by first improving themselves. Pramukh Swami Maharaj inspires devotees to attend the mandir regularly to practice their bhakti and focus on their spiritual advancement. The new Mandir will serve as a center for spiritual, community and charity services.