The historic murti pratishtha of the 100th BAPS Mandir took place in New Haven, Connecticut on Sunday, October 7, 2018, in the presence of Sadguru Pujya Ghanshyamcharandas Swami and swamis from across North America. Devotees from across the tri-state area attended this auspicious occasion.
The festivities began in the morning of October 7th when devotees and members of local Hindu community partook in the Vedic mahāpujā. Thereafter, Pujya Ghanshyamcharandas Swami conducted the pratishthā rituals, infusing divinity in the murtis, amidst the chanting of Vedic mantras and prayers. The murtis of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and Aksharbrahma Shri Gunatitanand Swami, Shri Guru Parampara, Shri Radha-Krishna, Shri Sita-Ram-Hanumanji, and Shri Shiv-Parvati-Ganeshji were consecrated. These murtis were originally consecrated by His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj in Edison, NJ on September 9, 2017.
In the Satsang Sabha Pujya Ghanshyamcharandas Swami blessed the audience and spoke on the importance of Samp (unity), Seva (service) and Mahima (the glory of the Satsang). The mayor of the town of Milford, Mr. Benjamin G. Blake, also attended the program and welcomed the new mandir in the community. The sabha also featured a special dance, performed by the children and youth of BAPS. On this historic occasion, a special video message from His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj was also played, in which he blessed one and all.
The new BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in New Haven, Connecticut will serve as a spiritual and cultural home, as well as a community center for charitable services such as health fairs, blood donation drives, and walkathons benefitting the local community. The Mandir will also facilitate youth activities so that future generations can be anchored in their faith and spirituality and continue to strive and grow as good citizens while retaining valuable traditions and culture.