BAPS
The Founder: In 1907, he formally established BAPS in the town of Bochasan to promote the Akshar Purushottam Upasana.
Who is Shastriji Maharaj ?
Seven Spires : Dedicated in 2024, this first traditional Hindu stone temple in the Middle East features seven spires representing the seven Emirates of the UAE.
What is the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi?
World Record Recital: In February 2026, 12,723 children set a Guinness World Record by simultaneously reciting this sacred Sanskrit text.
What is the Satsang Diksha?
Morning Devotion: This is the personal daily worship ritual performed by every BAPS devotee each morning, involving meditation, mala, and pradakshina.
What is Puja?
500 Saints: At the age of 26 in the village of Kalwani, Bhagwan Swaminarayan initiated this many paramhansas (highest-order monks) in a single day.
What is 500? The first +2
The Manifestation: This spiritual leader, who lived from 1781 to 1830, is worshipped by followers as the supreme form of God.
Who is Bhagwan Swaminarayan ?
Earthquake Proof: Completed in 2012, this Mandir in California was the first in the world built to be completely earthquake-proof using 40 base-isolator units.
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Chino Hills?
Spirit of Giving: This wing of BAPS handles humanitarian efforts, such as the emergency aid provided to over 51,000 people following the 2004 South Asian Tsunami.
What is BAPS Charities?
Dietary Vow: BAPS devotees strictly avoid eating these two bulb vegetables, as well as asafoetida, to maintain a "Sattvic" or pure diet.
What are onions and garlic?
The First One
: Built in 1822, this was the very first shikharbaddh (traditional spired) temple constructed by Bhagwan Swaminarayan.
What is Ahmedabad Mandir ?
A Journey of Peace: Before being known as
Swaminarayan , he spent seven years traveling 8,000 miles barefoot across India under this name.
Who was Nilkanth Varni ?
Traditional Craft: Most BAPS Mandirs are built according to these ancient Hindu scriptures that outline the principles of design and architecture.
What is the Shilpa Shastra?
The Mountain of Food: This festival, celebrated the day after Diwali, involves offering a massive variety of vegetarian delicacies to the murtis.
What is Dussehra?
Sacred Mark: Men in BAPS apply this "U" shaped mark of sandalwood paste on their forehead with a red circle in the center.
Eternal Abode: In BAPS philosophy, this entity is the "divine abode" of God and remains present on earth through a lineage of gurus.
What is Aksharbrahman (or Akshar)?
Bhagwan Swaminarayan and is considered his "immortal words".
What is the Vachanamrut?
Current Leadership: As of 2016, he serves as the 6th spiritual guru and president of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha.
Who is Mahant Swami Maharaj ?
Swinging the Lord: During this springtime festival, murtis are placed on a decorated swing (hindolo) to commemorate Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s celebration in Vartal and Sarangpur.
The Wave of Lights: This ritual involving the waving of lighted lamps before the murtis is performed five times a day in shikharbaddh Mandirs.
What is Arti?
The Charioteer: This was the birth name of Shastriji Maharaj before he was initiated into the sadhu fold.
Who is Dungar Bhakta?
The Garden State Giant: Opened in 2023 in Robbinsville, NJ, this is the largest Hindu temple in the United States and the second-largest in the world.
Where is Robinsville Akshardham ?
The Master Builder: During his tenure as leader, he was responsible for the construction of over 1,100 temples worldwide.
Who is Pramukh Swami Maharaj ?
Festival of Lights: This five-day celebration signifies the victory of light over darkness and includes the Lakshmi Puja and grand fireworks displays at many Mandirs.
What is Diwali?
The Two Boons: When Ramanand Swami appointed him as Guru, Sahajanand Swami famously asked that any suffering meant for his devotees be given to him instead.
Who is Bhagwan Swaminarayan (or Sahajanand Swami)?
A Grand Title: In the Vachanamrut, Bhagwan Swaminarayan is often addressed by this 11-letter Sanskrit title meaning "Lord of All.
What is Sarvopari?