Celebrating Shri Ram Janmabhumi Mandir Opening

The opening of the new mandir at the sacred birthplace of Bhagwan Shri Ramchandraji in Ayodhya was a historic moment of celebration for over a billion Hindus around the world.
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, London, joined the worldwide Hindu community as part of the global celebration, which included more than 40 BAPS mandirs and centres in the UK and wider Europe. The celebrations incorporated a host of devotional festivities from 20 to 22 January 2024.

Visitors and well-wishers from the Hindu community arrived throughout the three days to participate in a special pujan of Shri Ramchandraji Bhagwan as well as an Akshat Kumbh (ceremonial vessel containing sanctified rice grains from Ayodhya).

In commemoration of this auspicious occasion, London Mandir was also adorned in vibrant and beautiful decorations, with a special annakut offering made to Sita Mata and Ramchandra Bhagwan.

BAPS cherishes a long history with the Shri Ram Mandir, which began when Yogiji Maharaj first visited Ayodhya in 1953, and then again in 1956 and 1968. Pramukh Swami Maharaj continued this commitment and performed the pujan of the first Shri Ram Shila that would be laid in the mandir’s foundation in 1989. In 2020, Mahant Swami Maharaj performed a pujan for the shilanyas ceremony of the Shri Ram Mandir, where senior swamis from BAPS joined other revered mahatmas and dignitaries from across India.

BAPS continued its support for the Shri Ram Mandir in 2021 by making a substantial donation, and on 19 January 2024, Mahant Swami Maharaj wrote a heartfelt handwritten letter, in which he expressed his overwhelming joy at the inauguration of the Mandir, and urged all BAPS devotees to celebrate this momentous occasion at home, with the same devotional fervour as Diwali.

Specially tailored assemblies for children, youths and senior devotees were held at London Mandir on Saturday 20 January. The enlightening cultural programmes included bhajans, video presentations, and discourses from learned swamis who paid homage to the exemplary life of Shri Ramchandra Bhagwan. Murtis of Bhagwan Shri Ram, Sitaji and Hanumanji along with the Akshat Kumbh were also joyously welcomed to the assembly in a colourful ‘palkhi yatra’ led by members of the congregation.

Several leaders and representatives from various Hindu and Jain mandirs and organisations as well as local civic leaders also joined the celebrations at the BAPS mandir in another mark of solidarity and support for this historic occasion.

Yogvivekdas Swami, head swami for BAPS in the UK and Europe, explained, “The three-day celebrations at London Mandir were a fitting tribute to the exemplary values and teachings of Shri Ramchandraji Bhagwan, lessons that are of great significance and importance today. This was also a welcome opportunity to work together with our friends from other Hindu mandirs and organisations to mark this historic occasion with unity, respect, and devotion. We wholeheartedly thank them for all that they do for Sanatan Hindu Dharma in the UK and across Europe.”