On Sunday, January 8, 2017, community members and dignitaries gathered at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Levittown, PA, for the inauguration of the new Pramukh Swami Youth Center. With the blessing and guidance of His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj and His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, the festivities began with the vedic mahapuja. Thereafter Pujya Yagnavallabh Swami and dignitaries inaugurated the youth center. The cultural program that followed highlighted the importance of spirituality within our everyday lives through a skit and cultural dance. College-aged students to elderly individuals, contributed hundreds of volunteer hours to make the youth center a reality. In his speak, Pujya Yagnavallabh Swami thanked all for their efforts and stressed the importance of instilling values in our children and young people to allow them to mold their lives for a better future. The participants also got a glimpse through history of the numerous number of times His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj and Sadguru Swamis have graced Philadelphia.
The new Pramukh Swami Youth Center will facilitate youth activities so that future generations can be anchored in their faith and spirituality, and continue to strive and grow as good citizens while retaining valuable traditions and culture. The center will provide a place for youths to play indoor sports year-round while building supportive friendships. It will also host classes for religious studies, language, and Indian classical music. The youth center will also help meet the needs of the community by providing a facility for local events like walkathons, health fairs, and conferences to name a few.