With the inspiration and blessings of Pramukh Swami Maharaj a three day celebration was held from 17 November 2015 to 19 November 2015 to mark the opening of the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Gir Gadhada, a town in Gir Somnath district in the state of Gujarat, India.
Satsang started here in the year 1975. With Param Pujya Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s agna, sadhus started vicharan from the year 1986. During that period, satsang assemblies were conducted in the homes of devotees. Due to the constant vicharan of the sadhus and the dedication of devotees, satsang increased in the region. To further increase their satsang, the devotees of Gir Gadhada were able to make efforts to build a mandir, which came to fruition in 2015.
On Tuesday, November 17, 2015, the celebrations began with a Mahila Sammelan. In the evening a sanskrutik program was held. Vishwa shanti mahayagna was held on Wednesday morning, November 18, 2015, in which more than 500 yajmans prayed for peace in the world and for the good of the community.
Later in the afternoon, a Nagar Yatra (procession) of the murtis to be installed in the mandir was organized in the village of Gir Gadhada. The murtis were taken in various decorative floats through the main streets. Hundreds lined the streets to view the colourful and spectacular procession.
Param Pujya Pramukh Swami Maharaj had previously consecrated the murtis to be installed on September 7, 2015. On the morning of November 19, 2015, the Vedic murti-pratishtha rituals began with the mahapuja after which the murtis were installed by Pujya Keshavjivan Swami (Pujya Mahant Swami). Thereafter, a felicitation assembly was held in which Pujya Mahant Swami blessed all.