Raj Sadosh/Abohar.

Five days of celebrations marked the inauguration of the new BAPS Hindu Mandir and Community Centre in Lower Hutt, Wellington, in the presence of Pujya Narayanmuni Swami, other BAPS swamis, devotees and well-wishers from the ANZ region.

Pujya Narayanmuni Swami and swamis were warmly welcomed. A satsang assembly was held the next day. A Vedic Shri Swaminarayan Vishwa Shanti Mahayagna was organized for world peace and the well-being of society. Children, youth and adult devotees from Australia and New Zealand recited the 315 Sanskrit verses of the Satsang Diksha shastra.

Women participated in a special assembly, titled ‘Shashvat Sukh ka Dham – Mandir’. There was a melodious program of devotional bhajans that conveyed the timeless traditions and enduring values that mandirs instill in individuals.

The sacred murtis to be installed in the mandir were honored on beautifully decorated floats in a colourful 2km nagar yatra (procession) through the roads leading to the mandir. A special cultural program celebrated the inspirational journey of the BAPS Mandir in Wellington. The Vedic murti-pratishtha mahapuja and murti-installation rituals were performed by Narayanmuni Swami and other swamis.

Dignitaries included Hon. Chris Hipkins, former prime minister and opposition leader; Neeta Bhushan ji, High Commissioner of India; Guna Mugesan, President, Hindu Council of New Zealand; Mukesh Giya, Second Secretary and Head of Chancery, High Commission of India; and Dr Carlos Cheung, Member of Parliament.