On October 15, 2016, the auspicious day of Aksharbrahm Gunatitanand Swami’s birth anniversary (Sharad Purnima), the ground floor Padmashila Pujan and Sthapan of Swaminarayan Akshardham in Robbinsville, New Jersey took place in the presence of Sadguru Pujya Kothari Swami (Pujya Bhaktipriya Swami) and revered swamis from North America and India.
Devotees were given a site tour of Akshardham before entering the pujan ceremony. The ceremony commenced with Pujya Yagnavallabh Swami sharing His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s vision for Akshardham and the current construction status of the Akshardham complex.
During Sadguru Pujya Kothari Swami’s site tour, he visited the location where His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj had placed the nidhi-kumbh on August 15, 2014, and placed flower petals. The central murti of Bhagwan Swaminarayan will be installed exactly above the nidhi-kumbh on the first floor.
The Padmashila pujan was led by Sadguru Pujya Kothari Swami as Pujya Bhadresh Swami recited the Vedic shlokas in Sanskrit. As the pujan vidhi ended, devotees were showered with flower petals by Sadguru Pujya Kothari Swami. The ceremony concluded with attendees doing puja of the shila and praying for the successful completion of the Akshardham cultural complex.