His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj first established a mandir in Dar es Salaam in 1977, which he re-consecrated in 1999.
Now, in 2024, the mandir has been rebuilt into a multi-storey structure. The grand Murti-Pratishtha Mahotsav of this newly built mandir was held in the presence of His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, over 100 swamis from India and devotees from throughout the world.
On 22 December, in the early morning, Shrutiprakash Swami and other learned scholars recited the Vedic verses, while Pujya Tyagvallabh Swami, Pujya Ishwarcharan Swami, and Anandswarup Swami performed the mahapuja and pre-pratishtha rituals.
Thereafter, His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, performed the consecration rituals for the new murti of Ghanshyam Maharaj. The re-consecrated rituals of the original murtis of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and Aksharbrahma Gunatitanand Swami, and Bhagwan Krishna and Shri Radhaji, consecrated by His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj in 1999, were performed by Pujya Tyagvallabh Swami and Pujya Ishwarcharan Swami, respectively. Other senior swamis performed the pratishtha rituals of the guru parampara murtis.
Mahant Swami Maharaj advocated that devotees engage in meditative contemplation to help them ingrain the following three key truths in their hearts: 1. God is the all-doer, 2. I have received the manifest God, and 3. Our duty is to please Bhagwan.
Then, Swamishri performed pujan of all the murtis and offered abhishek to Shri Nilkanth Varni. An annakut of around 120 delicacies, lovingly prepared by devotees, was offered to the murtis and then Swamishri performed the murti-pratishtha arti.
Thereafter, Mahant Swami Maharaj blessed the devotees with his divine words. He clarified that the consecrated murtis are not mere stone, but that Bhagwan lives in the murtis with all his divinity. One will reap fruits as per the way one thinks of the murtis and by participating in arti, darshan, and katha. Everyone should visit the mandir at least once a day to do darshan, since the mandir is not merely a showroom. He ended with a heartfelt prayer that all who have contributed to the mandir and its opening attain lasting happiness, both within and without.
The evening assembly to celebrate the grand mandir opening was themed ‘Hamari Mandir Hai Pehchan.’ In his blessings, Swamishri emphasized the importance of thinking of the mandir as one's own home. Only if such a sentiment is present will one be able to do seva with dedication, resulting in personal improvement and purity of life. If one does seva with such pure sentiments, then one will become ekantik and brahmarup. The sole purpose of a mandir is to help everyone progress on the path of becoming ekantik.
Swamishri expressed his joy for the new mandir by waving the Akshar-Purushottam flag.
After the assembly, Swamishri joined devotees to briefly watch the fireworks display.