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London Mandir 25th Anniversary Finale Celebrations, UK & Europe

23 Aug 2020

In 1970, in an evening assembly in Islington, Yogiji Maharaj prophesies that a traditional stone shikharbaddha mandir will be built in London

Yogiji Maharaj completes the historic inauguration of Islington Mandir, the first Swaminarayan Hindu mandir in the western hemisphere, on Sunday 14 June 1970

In 1982, Pramukh Swami Maharaj performed the image installation ceremony in the mandir on Meadow Garth, Neasden. Over time, it became apparent that a larger site would be needed in order to fulfil Yogiji Maharaj’s vision

In 1984, Pramukh Swami Maharaj visits the Ducker site in Harrow, a prime location for a traditional shikharbaddha mandir

Pramukh Swami Maharaj showers flower petals on the ground, blessing the land. However, opposition in the borough led to planning permission being withdrawn. The search for a suitable site continues…

Neasden High School was acquired and the ground-breaking ceremony for this site was performed on 24 June 1990

Upon returning from the ground-breaking ceremony at Neasden High School, Pramukh Swami Maharaj notices that the Arlington Bus and Coach Garage site is up for sale

Pramukh Swami Maharaj, along with senior devotees and trustees, visits the Arlington site

Pramukh Swami Maharaj discusses and observes initial drawings of the mandir to be built on the Arlington site with CM Patel, James Cornell, Nigel Lane, Akshaymunidas Swami, Madhusudan Patel, Amrish Patel and others

Pramukh Swami Maharaj on the new mandir site with the project team and trustees

The ground-breaking ceremony for the mandir takes place on 7 July 1991 in the presence of Pramukh Swami Maharaj and Mahant Swami

Pramukh Swami Maharaj performs the ground-breaking ceremony on the Arlington site

Pramukh Swami Maharaj visits the stone carving workshop set up in the free-trade zone in Kandla, Gujarat, India; he meticulously observes the carvings and ensures the work is completed on time and to the highest quality

Pramukh Swami Maharaj had instructed that the mandir be completed in three years, a seemingly impossible task

Senior swamis provide an update on the project to Pramukh Swami Maharaj during a site visit

A total of 26,300 pieces of stone were intricately carved for the main mandir construction. The carving primarily took place in Kandla.

CM Patel and Pramukh Swami Maharaj outside the old Meadow Garth hari mandir exchanging a jovial moment

The UK in the 1990s was experiencing a devastating recession, therefore funds were scarce. Subsequently, fundraising schemes – like the ‘Aluminium Can Collection’ scheme – were set up

Another such fundraising scheme – the ‘Care Patrika’ – being sanctified by Pramukh Swami Maharaj

Pramukh Swami Maharaj visits the construction site ensuring that the work is being done on time and to the highest quality

In order to complete the construction of the mandir on time, over 1,000 volunteers dedicated their efforts in helping out in whichever way they could

Devotees from across the UK would arrive early in the morning and work until late at night with a spirit of unity

Men and women of all ages were inspired to come together to help with whatever they could

Volunteers on site polishing one of the torans (decorative arches)

Workers and volunteers on site were fed three meals a day, freshly prepared by the large corps of female volunteers

Volunteers working tirelessly to keep the kitchen running efficiently

The mandir begins to take shape as the beautifully carved pillars are secured in place

Around 100 artisans are brought over from India to assist in the stone carving in the UK, speeding up the process of construction

As construction was well underway, the UK Satsang Mandal is shaken with the sudden passing of their chairman and close friend of Swamishri – CM Patel – in early 1994

With many questioning whether the mandir would be completed on time, Swamishri visits the construction site, inspiring and reinvigorating everyone

Pramukh Swami Maharaj proclaims that “patthar satsang karavshe” (the stones will spread the glory of satsang) in the UK

Despite suffering from a frozen shoulder and other physical health issues, Swamishri continues to drive the project forward by making regular visits to the construction site

Pramukh Swami Maharaj arrives in 1994 as devotees flock to pledge more funds for the successful completion of the mandir

Pramukh Swami Maharaj was heavily involved in the design of the mandir. Here, he visits one of the stone carving workshops in India to assess the models of the murtis

Pramukh Swami Maharaj strived for perfection. As the murtis arrive in the UK, he personally advises the craftsmen on what adjustments to make

Mahant Swami was also instrumental in the design of the murtis, advising fellow swamis and craftsmen to keep in line with the authentic description of Bhagwan Swaminarayan detailed by senior paramhansas

The mandir nears completion as the opening ceremony looms a mere few months away

Volunteers on site work throughout the night to get the mandir completed on time

The mandir nears completion as the opening ceremony looms a mere few months away

An aerial view of the mandir under construction in 1995

The main gate situated in front of the mandir under construction late at night in 1995

Pramukh Swami Maharaj arrives in the UK in July 1995 to oversee the final stages of the construction of the mandir

Pramukh Swami Maharaj regularly continues visiting the construction site, ensuring the timely and proper completion of the mandir

Pramukh Swami Maharaj on a site visit of the mandir and the haveli advising swamis and the project team on specific design elements

Pramukh Swami Maharaj advises the need for an exhibition on the lower floor of the mandir, to help explain Hinduism to the wider community in Britain

It was Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s wish to create a pillarless assembly hall. On his visits to the haveli complex, he would often point out design details and provide valuable guidance to the project team

The days of festivities leading up to the grand opening required marquees to be set up in Gibbons Recreational Ground where a number of events would be held

Pramukh Swami Maharaj visited each and every exhibit in the Bal Nagri (Children's Pavillion), participating in the interactive elements set up by volunteers

Pramukh Swami Maharaj, seated in the central shrine before Shri Harikrishna Maharaj, performs the vastu pujan (pre-image installation ceremony) on 18 August 1995

Pramukh Swami Maharaj performs the vastu pujan, observed by Mahant Swami and Ishwarcharandas Swami

As per Hindu tradition, a grand procession took place allowing the murtis to bless the land and people of their new home. Beautiful floats were created on which the murtis could pass through the heart of the City of London

On 18 August 1995, the procession began at Hyde Park Corner and ended at Trafalgar Square, passing through Piccadilly Circus. Thousands gathered to be a part of this historic moment

To the surprise of every devotee present, Pramukh Swami Maharaj blessed everyone with his divine presence at Piccadilly Circus

A Vishwa Shanti Mahayagna was performed on 19 August 1995. At the time, it was the largest yagna to be performed outside of India

Pramukh Swami Maharaj performs the Vishwa Shanti Mahayagna, praying for peace and prosperity in the world

20 August 1995 – the day of the grand opening of the mandir. Pramukh Swami Maharaj stands before the murti of Bhagwan Swaminarayan as the image installation ceremony is under way

Pramukh Swami Maharaj instils the stone murtis with God’s divine power

Pramukh Swami Maharaj signals his joy at the image installation ceremony

The haveli (cultural) complex was also opened by Swamishri on 20 August 1995. It incorporated a large, multi-purpose complex with a partitionable pillarless hall, offices, a gymnasium for children, and accommodation for the resident swamis

Pramukh Swami Maharaj stands on the steps of the mandir; the first of its kind outside India and the template for future mandirs in the west