Satsang activities have been growing in the Manchester region for more than 45 years, since the first weekly sabhas began in Ashton-under-Lyne in 1971. Pramukh Swami Maharaj inaugurated a mandir there in 1977 and then in 1994 consecrated new marble murtis of Shri Akshar-Purushottam Maharaj, Shri Radha-Krishna, Shri Hanumanji and Shri Ganeshji.
A site for a new mandir to serve the ever-increasing number of devotees and visitors has been acquired on Lees Road in Ashton. The ground-breaking ceremony for the new mandir took place on Monday 30 May 2016 in the presence of Sadguru Pujya Bhaktipriya Swami (Kothari Swami) and sadhus from London.
The ceremonial laying of bricks – which had been sanctified by Pramukh Swami Maharaj in Sarangpur, India on 3 April 2016 – was performed by Kothari Swami. He was joined in the mahapuja by over 200 worshippers, who offered their prayers for peace and well-being to prevail throughout the local community.
Guests from Greater Manchester, Preston, Leeds and Bolton participated in the festivities. Amongst the dignitaries were Cllr Bill Fairfoull, Cllr Leigh Drennan, Cllr Mike Glover and Cllr Yvonne Cartey. Steven Pleasant, the Chief Executive of Tameside, also attended with his family and expressed his honour at being part of “such a historic occasion”.
Kothari Swami addressed the gathering and offered his prayers for the speedy completion of the mandir.
Umesh Patel, lead volunteer for the new mandir project, shared, “Today has been a spiritually uplifting occasion. Everyone taking part is energised to fulfil Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s vision of a mandir that is as much a hub serving the local community as a place of worship for Hindus.”