Over the weekend of September 6-8, 2024, the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Shawnee, Kansas, celebrated its 10th anniversary with a series of events that highlighted its role as a hub for youth development and community engagement. Devotees from across the Greater Kansas City Metropolitan area, including Missouri and Kansas, gathered alongside Pujya Swamis and well-wishers to commemorate the milestone with devotion and joy.
The celebration began on Friday, September 6, with a parayan, where Pujya Swamis delivered spiritual discourses that inspired attendees and reinforced the Mandir’s core values. This set a reflective and uplifting tone for the weekend.
On Saturday, September 7, a women’s cultural program in the afternoon provided a platform for women of all ages to come together and celebrate the Mandir’s impact on their lives. Entirely organized and performed by women, the program featured music, dance, and skits that took the audience on a journey through the history of the Kansas City women's wing. Later that day, a groundbreaking ceremony was also held for a new outdoor playground and plaza area that will serve as an outdoor community gathering place. The evening concluded with a captivating kirtan aradhana, as devotees from near and far performed melodious kirtans, filling the Mandir complex with a spiritual atmosphere.
On Sunday, September 8, the morning began with a mahapuja, a Vedic ceremony conducted by Pujya Swamis in honor of the 10th anniversary of the Murti Pratishtha ceremony. In the evening, the grand finale celebration featured a historical documentary, live skits, and cultural performances. These thoughtfully curated presentations provided attendees with a deeper appreciation for the history of satsang in Kansas City while inspiring them to continue serving the community and nurturing future generations. The celebration beautifully showcased the Mandir’s lasting contributions to peace, community involvement, and spiritual connection, solidifying its role as a cherished space for devotees and well-wishers of all backgrounds.