The new murtis of Shri Akshar-Purushottam Maharaj, blessed and gifted to UK & Europe by Mahant Swami Maharaj, have been joyously welcomed by devotees at various mandirs and centres around the UK.
Mahant Swami Maharaj had performed the sacred pran-pratishtha (ceremonial invocation) of these panch-dhatu ‘chal murtis’ (mobile sacred images) during the Pramukh Swami Maharaj Centennial Celebrations in Ahmedabad, India.
After a grand family celebration on Saturday 25 February 2023 at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, London, the new pair of murtis were welcomed to their new home with a variety of devotional programmes, such as a yagna (Vedic prayers with the chanting of verses from the Satsang Diksha before a sacred fire), mahapuja (Vedic offerings), shobha yatra (cultural procession) and swagat sabha (welcome assembly) that included devotional singing and dancing.
In the assembly, swamis delivered insightful discourses drawing upon the Vachanamrut, Swamini Vato and other canonical Hindu texts such as the Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita. They narrated the historical significance of Akshar-Purushottam Maharaj and explained the theological importance and method of offering personal devotion to both murtis.
Devotees and well-wishers of all ages participated in the celebrations and prayed to Akshar-Purushottam Maharaj to bless the people of the world with peace, harmony and righteous prosperity.
Similar events will be held over the summer to welcome Shri Akshar-Purushottam Maharaj in various European countries.
Please click the thumbnails below to see galleries of the respective events so far.