Murti Pratishtha Ceremony - BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, London

The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Neasden, London is as the ancient scriptures prescribe. Perfect in every sense, a house fit for God. It is no wonder that thousands of Hindus and non-Hindus alike are drawn to the mandir as a bee is inevitably drawn to a blossoming garden.

The Murti-Pratishtha Ceremony
With all preparations complete, the day of the murti-pratishtha ceremony arrived – Sunday 20 August 1995, Shravan Vad 10 of the Indian year Vikram Samvat 2051.

The scriptures implicitly say that whilst it is important that the murtis be consecrated by performing the correct rituals, it is more important that they are consecrated by a person who is himself the receptacle for God's unlimited grace. Such a God-realized Sadhu is to be asked to perform the rituals, and it is when he asks God to enter the murtis and specially become accessible that God cannot refuse.

At 9.00am, His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj arrived in the Mandir, he was greated by BAPS Swaminarayan Youth band from Leicester, UK, Dallas, USA and Nairobi, Kenya played auspicious tune. Swamishri began walking up to the mandir on the red carpet, having sent his beloved Harikrishna Maharaj ahead. As usual, he was carried up the mandir steps in a special chair but asked to be put down for the final 10 steps. From there, he climbed unaided to approach the first two pillars that support the entrance arch. A string of balloons had been hung above the arch. On the press of a button, they burst to release thousands of petals that floated down to shower Swamishri in welcome.

The rituals were being performed under the main dome. A special seat had been prepared for Swamishri, and around him sat some 250 well-wishers and senior devotees. For lack of space, only they were allowed to eye witness the historic events unfolding before them. The several thousand other guests and devotees were attentively watching the proceedings live on giant video screens in the marquee. Millions of Europeans were also brought into the mandir by Zee TV which was broadcasting the entire ceremony live.

Behind Swamishri sat the special guests. Leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party of India – Mr. Advani, the High Commissioner for India – Dr. L.M. Singhvi, the Chief Ministers of Gujarat and Rajasthan States – Keshubhai Patel and Bhairon Singh Shekhawat respectively.

Swamishri himself began to perform the prescribed rituals as Brahmins chanted the appropriate Vedic hymns and verses. The chanting and prayers reverberated around the dome, charging the atmosphere with divinity.

Finally, at 9.38am, Swamishri was asked to enter the sanctum sanctorum and begin the final rituals and prayers that would perfectly consecrate the murtis. Whilst he himself performed the basic pratishtha rituals on the murtis of Bhagwan Swaminarayan, Gunatitanand Swami and Gopalanand Swami in the central sanctum, he asked Pujya Mahant Swami to do similar with Harikrishna Maharaj and Radha Krishna on the left, and Pujya Ishwarcharan Swami to do likewise with Ghanshyam Maharaj on the right. In the outer sanctums, he asked other senior sadhus to perform the rituals for the murtis of Shiva-Parvati, Ram-Sita, Hanumanji and Ganesh, and the marble murtis of the Guru Parampara placed behind the main sanctum. Swamishri also performed the final rituals for the other murtis in the inner sanctum.

After the ceremonies, the curtain to the sanctum was closed and as everyone waited outside, the murtis were clothed in regal splendor and an annakut of hundreds of vegetarian dishes placed artistically before them. This was the first offering.

At 10.13am the curtains were drawn open to reveal the deities, now fully consecrated in all their royal divinity. Swamishri, the sadhus and other guests were given lighted wicks with which to perform the arti – that would announce to the world the completion of the Vedic ceremonies. The mandir, now no longer just a beautiful inert physical object, but new radiated with the infinite divinity and tranquility of God.

After the arti, Swamishri came before the deities in the outer sanctum and also performed their worship.

Swamishri and the guests were then led downstairs into the exhibition, 'Understanding Hinduism'. This permanent exhibition introduces people to the basic beliefs and traditions of Hinduism.

Next, the group walked across the mandir compound to the Haveli. Swamishri asked Chandubhai Dalia to declare it open. Returning to their awaiting cars, the group was led to a giant cloud of orange balloons. Swamishri released them. At the same instance from behind the mandir, were released 7500 orange balloons that shot up into the sky signalling the celebration of the murti pratistha of the mandir.