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With the grace and blessings
of Lord Swaminarayan and Akshar murti Gunatitanand Swami, the first
ever traditional Swaminarayan Mandir on African soil was inaugurated
at Nairobi in Kenya by HDH Pramukh Swami Maharaj on 29 August,Sunday.
Each and every stone of the Mandir reverberates with the blessings of
Pujya Shastriji Maharaj and Pujya Yogiji Maharaj, along with the hard
work and determination put in by the devotees of Africa.
The Mandir has been carved and created entirely according to ancient
Hindu Shilpashastras. It houses a comprehensive world class exhibition
on Hinduism and India, covering an area of 6,000 sq.ft. The Swaminarayan
Mandir in Nairobi, inspired by HDH Pramukh Swami Maharaj, is the first
ever mammoth traditional Mandir in the region.
Venue:
Shree Swaminarayan
Mandir,
Bochasanwasi Shree Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha,
Forest Road,P O Box 40570,Nairobi, Kenya
Tel: 254 -2-742822 / 743730
Fax: 254-2-742437
The Mandir Mahotsav
was spread over four days from 26 August to 29 August, culminating on
a Sunday.
26 August, Thursday, Nariyeri Poonam- Rakshabandhan
The first assembly was conducted in the morning, followed by the Rakshabandhan
ceremony being performed.
A religious assembly in the evening was accompanied by cultural events
highlighting aspects of Indian culture.
27August, Friday
A Ladies assembly was held in the afternoon. A Kirtan Aradhana, a assembly
where melodious bhajans were sung by saints and devotees, was held in
the evening.
28 August, Saturday
The early morning saw a Yagna for World Peace being organized, concluding
at noon. The performance of this yagna stressed the need for World Peace
and Harmony.
The Yagna was followed by the afternoon procession, the Shobha Yatra,
through the streets of the city. The Shobha Yatra serves to grace parts
of the city with the divine gaze and bliss of the Murtis which are then
installed in the mandir.
29 August, Sunday
The crowning glory of the festival was its culmination in the Idol installation
ceremony. HDH Pramukh Swami Maharaj performed the ceremony to the accompaniment
of due rites and rituals. Shlokas were recited, the Murtis installed,
and the first Aarti performed.
The morning ceremony was immediately followed by an assembly where the
huge gathering of saints and devotees was addressed by dignitaries and
then blessed by Swamishri's discourse.
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