Ahmedabad, 10 August 2014

Pramukh Swami Maharaj today performed pran pratishtha vidhi at newly constructed Swaminarayan mandir in Robbinsville in New Jersey, America in presence of hundreds of devotees and sants.

Speaking briefly on this occasion a 93-year-old Pramukh Swami maharaj who traveled from India in a special plane for this ceremony said, all will be happy. Pramukh Swami is traveling outside India after 7 years, and therefore there’s great enthusiasm among BAPS followers of north America.

The three-day ceremony on first day saw Vishwa shanti yagna as per the Vaidik tradition in which more than 18,000 devotees offered anjali. Later a procession of murthis to be installed in mandir was organized. On the second day, Maha abhishek ceremony was organized with 49 kalash. On eve of installation of murthis in mandir, women’s convention was organized at Akshardham site.

Ahead of murthi pratishtha by Pramukh Swami, leadins sants of BAPS including Mahant Swami, Tyagvallabh Swami, Ishwarcharan Swami performed Maha puja.

Later Pramukh Swami performed Nyas puja that converts a stone idol into a God. Pramukh Swami performed Nyas ceremony with golden stick and mirror in his hand.

Annakut was another ceremony held inside the mandir.

Soon after Nyas vidhi, Pramukh Swami spoke couple of lines in which he wished good of all. He praised the mandir work.

The mandir opened today is part of the grand Akshardham project here which is likely to be completed in 2017.

The mandir opened today is built with Italian marble. The choice of Italian marble was made after consultation with experts in America who suggested that Indian white marble would not survive for long in American atmosphere. They suggested that only Italian marble will survive for thousand and more years in New

Jersey’s weather. Natural stone should be the first choice to build a temple due to its durability. Pyramids, Angkorvat temple etc were made from stone. Italian stone offers balance of beauty and durability.

The mandir at Robbinsville opened today is built using 68,0000 cubic ft stone. After proper stone selection in Italy, it is resized and transported to western India where skilled artisans carve it and convert it to various parts of mandir. They are then packaged and shipped to America. Every piece of mandir is properly

marked for its right placing. Each piece travels 9300 miles which takes 24 days. As per their labels and numerical codes they are identified and fixed to build a complete mandir structure.

According to Aksharvatsal Swami, Pramukh Swami wished to build a white stone mandir abroad inspired by Shastriji Maharaj built mandir at Gadhada. To ensure that the mandir lasts for over 1,000 years it was decided to build it in a closed box. Its Shikhar is not traditional shikhar like other Swaminarayan mandir, but it is Fasnakar shikhar which was existing in ancient India and even in Vaidik time.

The mandir opened today is not main Akshardham mandir in Robbinsville. This is sub mandir built for puja in Akshardham campus.

Senior sants of BAPS tied Rakhi to Pramukh Swami maharaj and wished that he would also grace the function of opening of Akhardham.

Pramukh Swami had originally proposed Akshardham in New Jersey in 1997. Later he visited the city in 1998 and himself toured to spot right site for the mandir.

Thousands of BAPS volunteers worked to construct the temple even in minus six temperature.

Robbinsville leader Tim in his address today appreciated BAPS service in winter, during hurricane and also during blood donation camp. Tim said he is happy that his wife, two children, mother and father are here with him today in this function. He said his father has been honorary volunteer here and he has visited this place three times.

BAPS appreciator and senior Congress man Steny Hoyer who was present on this occasion said this mandir will bring spiritual richness for all. He said the new government under prime minister Modi brings new opportunities.

Senator Booker who represents New Jersey said Indian immigrants have made America stronger through job creation activity. America should make immigration law changes for them.