With the blessings of Shastriji Maharaj, Mahendrabhai Patel (‘Barrister’), Purushottambhai Patel and other devotees begin to meet occasionally for Satsang sabhas in London.
1953
In India, Yogiji Maharaj blessed Dahyabhai D. Meghani (nephew of the renowned Gujarati scholar and author, Zaverchand Meghani), saying: “Go to London, and continue to practice Satsang.” On arrival in London, Dahyabhai, Maganbhai, Chandubhai, Mahendrabhai and others install the murtis of Akshar Purushottam Maharaj and Yogiji Maharaj. Regular weekly Satsang sabhas are focused around the reading of Yogiji Maharaj’s weekly letters.
Satsang sabhas held at D. D. Meghani’s business premises in Central London.
1958
Satsang sabhas are held at Prahladbhai Patel’s house.
1959
Gulzarilal Nanda, then Union Labour Minister of India and staunch satsangi, visits London. A reception is held at Vega Restaurant (founded by George Bernard Shaw).
Registered with Charity Commission as ‘Swaminarayan Hindu Mission, London Fellowship Centre’.
1962
Harmanbhai Patel visits London to consolidate Satsang activities.
1963
Shri Swaminarayan Student Centre is established at the wish of Yogiji Maharaj.
1964
Navinbhai Swaminarayan begins Satsang sabhas in Manchester.
1970
Yogiji Maharaj makes his first visit to London, which includes a procession through Oxford Street.
Yogiji Maharaj inaugurates one of Britain’s first Hindu mandirs at 77 Elmore Street, Islington, London.
1973
1st Youth Convention.
1974
Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s first visit to the UK as spiritual leader of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha.
2nd Youth Convention.
Pramukh Swami Maharaj meets with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Michael Ramsey.
1977
Pramukh Swami Maharaj visits the UK and inaugurates mandirs in Leicester, Ashton and Wellingborough.
3rd Youth Convention.
1979
4th Youth Convention.
1980
Pramukh Swami Maharaj is given a warm reception at the Royal Albert Hall.
Procession on the streets of London.
Pramukh Swami Maharaj hosts World Religions Conference at the Wembley Conference Centre.
5th Youth Convention.
1982
Pramukh Swami Maharaj visits the UK and inaugurates a new hari mandir in Neasden, on Meadow Garth.
Sadhus travel to Satsang centres in Europe.
1984
Pramukh Swami Maharaj visits the UK, Holland, Belgium, Portugal and Italy.
Pramukh Swami Maharaj meets Pope John Paul II in the Vatican.
Pramukh Swami Maharaj inaugurates hari mandir in Preston.
1985
Pramukh Swami Maharaj celebrates the 33-day Cultural Festival of India at Alexandra Palace, London. Over 1.5 million people visit.
1987
6th Youth Convention.
1988
Pramukh Swami Maharaj visits the UK, Portugal, Spain, France, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Norway and Sweden.
Pramukh Swami Maharaj is honoured in the House of Commons, London.
1990
Pramukh Swami Maharaj visits the UK.
Pramukh Swami Maharaj inaugurates Satsang bhavan in Birmingham.
1991
Pramukh Swami Maharaj lays foundation stone for the shikharbaddha mandir on the Arlington garage and warehouse site in Neasden.
1992
September – The Swaminarayan School, 1st Hindu school in Europe, opens.
November – Construction of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, 1st traditional Hindu mandir in Europe, begins.
1993
December – Construction of Haveli (adjacent cultural complex) begins.
1994
Pramukh Swami Maharaj visits the UK, Czech Republic and Sweden.
1995
August 20: Pramukh Swami Maharaj performs murti-pratishtha ceremony of Akshar Purushottam Maharaj and deities in new BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir.
Six-day Mandir Mahotsav: Festival of Inspirations (18 to 23 August) held to commemorate the occasion.
1996
Pramukh Swami Maharaj visits the UK.
1997
Pramukh Swami Maharaj visits the UK.
7th Youth convention.
1998
Pramukh Swami Maharaj visits the UK.
1999
Opening of Satsang bhavan in Lisbon, Portugal.
2000
Pramukh Swami Maharaj visits the UK.
2001
Inauguration of Loughborough mandir.
2002
8th Youth convention.
2003
Inauguration of hari mandir in Antwerp, Belgium.
2004
Pramukh Swami Maharaj visits the UK.
Pramukh Swami Maharaj inaugurates hari mandirs at Luton and Southend-on-Sea.
2006
Pramukh Swami Maharaj visits the UK.
Inauguration of hari mandirs in Birmingham and Coventry.
9th Youth convention.
2007
Pramukh Swami Maharaj visits the UK as part of BAPS Centenary Celebrations.
2009
Inauguration of new hari mandir in Wellingborough.
2011
Inauguration of new hari mandir in Leicester.
2017
Mahant Swami Maharaj visits the UK and France.
Mahant Swami Maharaj inaugurates new hari mandir in Chigwell, East London.
