BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir — Attraction in Gujarat

~Introduction and History

The city of Bharuch lies on the banks of the holy river Narmada. The river Narmada has been praised in the Skand Puran as having 100 million pilgrim places on its banks. It has been noted that by merely having darshan of river Narmada one becomes cleansed of all sins.

Adi Shankaracharya, the founder of the Advait school of philosophy, resided and studied on the banks of the Narmada. He wrote the famous Narmada Ashtak - Namami Devi Narmade - shlokas praising the glory of Narmada as a goddess.

On the banks of this holy river lies the city of Bharuch. It is approximately 5,000 years old and was once the venue of Bhrugu Rushi's ashram. Subsequently, it came to be known as Bhrugupur or Bhrugu Kutch.

The Dashashwamegh Ghat was the place where King Bali had performed Ashwamegh Yagnas. God came in the form of Vaman, and in three steps took his entire kingdom. God was pleased at King Bali's sacrifice and devotion and blessed him. Thus Bharuch was a land of yagnas and sacrifices.

Bharuch was also the nucleus for trade and commerce with Iran, Syria, Mesopotamia and Babylon.

~Introduction and Development of Satsang

In 1789 (Samvat 1855), Bharuch was blessed by the arrival of Nilkanth Varni. He stayed for two days on the banks and bathed in the river Narmada. This was the first occasion of Bhagwan Swaminarayan's association with Bharuch and river Narmada.

From 1904 Brahmaswarup Shastriji Maharaj had on several occasions visited the town of Zadeshwar where he delivered discourses and held parayans. When the young Pramukh Swami developed red rashes due to working with lime in Atladra, he came to Shastriji Maharaj in Zadeshwar. The red rashes disappeared through the blessings of Shastriji Maharaj and Swamishri's physical agony subsided.

After Shastriji Maharaj, Yogiji Maharaj gave impetus to the Satsang in Bharuch. From 12 to 16 February 1968, a parayan was arranged in the presence of Yogiji Maharaj. The morning discourse on Harilila Kalpataru was read by Pramukh Swami Maharaj, and the evening discourse on Vachanamrut and Swamini Vato were delivered by sadhus. Yogiji Maharaj gave his blessings during both sessions. Jagdishbhai Amin (a relative of Zaverbhai, Diwan of Vansda and Limbdi) and his nephew Ganeshbhai sponsored the parayan and hosted Yogji Maharaj in their large bungalow. On the concluding day of the parayan, a procession in a decorated car was carried out on the streets of Bharuch. During the parayan Yogiji Maharaj resolved to establish a mandir and have a grand parayan in Bharuch.

~Mandir in Bharuch

In August 1969, Yogiji Maharaj performed the ground-breaking ceremony for a new mandir in Patel Society, Bharuch. In 1975, Magshar sud 10, Pramukh Swami Maharaj performed the murti pratishtha of a Hari mandir in Bharuch. In 1989, the 69th birthday celebration of Pramukh Swami Maharaj was held in Bharuch. With the growth of Satsang through the years, the need for a shikharbaddh mandir arose. Shri Motibhai M. Patel donated his land on the main Bharuch-Mumbai highway to the BAPS. After the acquirement of more land, the mandir project commenced on the 18 acre site. On 13 January 1998, Pramukh Swami Maharaj performed the stone-laying ceremony for the shikharbaddh mandir. In nearly four years a beautiful mandir in pink sandstone was completed through the inspiration of Swamishri. The five shikhar mandir is 75 ft high, 151 ft wide and 193 ft long. The mandir is ornamented with beautifully sculpted pillars, archways, balconies and murtis.

~Opening Ceremony of Swaminarayan Mandir, Bharuch

Yagna

On Saturday 8 December 2001, a yagna for World Peace was held as part of the murti pratishtha rituals. Amidst vedic chantings by Brahmins 2,500 couples performed the yagna rituals around 250 yagna pits.

During the murti pratishtha assembly, dignitaries praised the services of Swamishri and the BAPS. Finally, Swamishri blessed the assembly.

More than 54,000 devotees and wellwishers attended the murti pratishtha rituals and assembly.

JAY...

BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Bharuch is a very peaceful and beautiful temple to visit with family and friends.

It is located on the highway and is easy to reach. The temple has very nice architecture with clean marble floors, carved pillars, and peaceful gardens. It feels calm and positive inside the temple complex.

The place is always kept clean and tidy. Many people come here for darshan and to sit in silence. The gardens around the temple are green and well maintained.

Children can also play in some open areas. The temple also has a Premvati canteen where you can eat simple vegetarian food. The food is fresh, tasty, and reasonably priced.

Many people come here during weekends and festivals, so sometimes it can be a little crowded. But there is enough space to walk around and enjoy the surroundings. The parking area is big, but during peak hours you may face some problem for parking your vehicle. The temple staff and volunteers are very polite and helpful.

You have to dress modestly and keep your shoes outside. These rules help to keep the temple peaceful and spiritual for everyone.

The best time to visit is early morning or evening aarti time. The aarti is very peaceful and gives a feeling of devotion. You can also buy books, prasad, and souvenirs from the temple shop.

Overall, BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Bharuch is a good place to spend time with family, pray, and feel relaxed.

I would give it 5 stars out of 5 for its cleanliness, positive atmosphere, and good facilities. Do visit if you...

~Mandir in Bharuch

In August 1969, Yogiji Maharaj performed the ground-breaking ceremony for a new mandir in Patel Society, Bharuch. In 1975, Magshar sud 10, Pramukh Swami Maharaj performed the murti pratishtha of a Hari mandir in Bharuch. In 1989, the 69th birthday celebration of Pramukh Swami Maharaj was held in Bharuch. With the growth of Satsang through the years, the need for a shikharbaddh mandir arose. Shri Motibhai M. Patel donated his land on the main Bharuch-Mumbai highway to the BAPS. After the acquirement of more land, the mandir project commenced on the 18 acre site. On 13 January 1998, Pramukh Swami Maharaj performed the stone-laying ceremony for the shikharbaddh mandir. In nearly four years a beautiful mandir in pink sandstone was completed through the inspiration of Swamishri. The five shikhar mandir is 75 ft high, 151 ft wide and 193 ft long. The mandir is ornamented with beautifully sculpted pillars, archways, balconies and murtis.

~Opening Ceremony of Swaminarayan Mandir, Bharuch

Yagna

On Saturday 8 December 2001, a yagna for World Peace was held as part of the murti pratishtha rituals. Amidst vedic chantings by Brahmins 2,500 couples performed the yagna rituals around 250 yagna pits.

During the murti pratishtha assembly, dignitaries praised the services of Swamishri and the BAPS. Finally, Swamishri blessed the assembly.

More than 54,000 devotees and wellwishers attended the murti pratishtha rituals and assembly.

JAY...