The refurbished Nilkanth Abhishek Mandap opened at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, London on Friday 15 April 2016, the auspicious day of Swaminarayan Jayanti.
The Abhishek Mandap is a marble chamber on the lower floor of the main mandir housing the sacred image of Shri Nilkanth Varni, the teenage form of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. Pramukh Swami Maharaj consecrated the murti on 6 September 2004, praying for the fulfilment of the wishes of those who come to perform the abhishek.
The two-phased renovation of the abhishek mandap began in 2015, with the final work commencing in February this year. The completion marks the culmination of dedicated efforts by sadhus, volunteers and skilled craftsmen. The Brazilian and Italian marble-clad chamber is now embellished with 4,692 individual pieces of traditional Indian design featuring 24 paintings and 8 relief panels depicting key incidents from the life of Nilkanth Varni.
The opening was conducted amid Vedic rituals performed by sadhus and in the presence of senior devotees while a larger congregation watched in the assembly hall via a live broadcast link. Devotees reflected upon the peace and fulfilment they have experienced by the blessings of Nilkanth Varni over the years.
To learn more about the Abhishek Mandap and the abhishek ritual, please click the respective links.