A momentous two-day celebration commemorated the auspicious opening of the new BAPS Mandir in Townsville, in the presence of BAPS swamis from the ANZ region, devotees and well-wishers.
On 2 September, Mayor Jenny Hill and Queensland Police Inspector Jacqui Honeywood, along with other members of the Queensland Police Service, participated with devotees and well-wishers in a grand procession in honor of the murtis along a picturesque 1.5 km route through Townsville Esplanade.
In the evening, swamis and youths presented a medley of devotional bhajans, gracefully conveying the timeless traditions and enduring values that the mandir instills.
On the morning of 3 September, devotees and members of the local Hindu community took part in the Vedic mahapuja ceremony and then Paramchintandas Swami and other swamis performed the Vedic mandir inauguration rituals. Following these sacred rites, a grand annakut was offered to the divine murtis.
Previously, in Atladara, on 12 January 2022, Mahant Swami Maharaj had performed the Vedic murti-pratishtha rituals of the murtis.
Among the esteemed guests in attendance were Mr. Philip Thompson, Deputy Chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties, and Ms. Natalie Marr, a former Councillor at the Townsville Regional Council and an LNP Candidate.