A new chapter of spiritual and community life began in Ruislip, in the London Borough of Hillingdon, with the inauguration of a new BAPS Swaminarayan Hindu mandir on Sunday 31 August 2025.
The opening was the culmination of months of devoted preparation by hundreds of local volunteers and devotees, whose careful planning and service are now embodied in this beautiful mandir. It will serve not only as a place of worship but also a centre for education, cultural engagement, and charitable work in the Ruislip area and beyond.
The Ruislip Mandir Mahotsav celebrations began on 2 May 2025, when His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj performed the consecration ceremony (murti pratishtha) in Kanad, Surat, India. On 17 August 2025, a Vedic mahapuja at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, London, further prepared hearts and minds for the inauguration.
Devotees and well-wishers of all ages filled the streets of Rayners Lane and Ruislip Manor with vibrant decorations, devotional music, and joyous celebrations during a grand shobha yatra on Saturday 30 August 2025, during which the sacred images to be installed in the mandir were carried upon decorated palanquins to bless the local area.
The following morning, with the blessings of Mahant Swami Maharaj, swamis from London performed the murti installation ceremony in the new mandir. Hundreds of devotees and well-wishers gathered in reverence and celebration.
A number of distinguished guests joined the event, including Cllr Anjana Patel, Mayor of Harrow. She praised the mandir for its contribution to community harmony and service.
As part of the opening celebrations, the Mandir hosted a Neighbourhood Open Day on 6 September 2025, welcoming local residents and guests, including Cllr Philip Corthorne, Mayor of Hillingdon. Visitors were offered guided tours and presentations, learning more about Hindu culture and the Mandir’s planned spiritual, educational, and charitable programmes. The day reflected the Mandir’s inclusive ethos of service, learning, and fellowship.
The Ruislip Mandir now stands as a beacon of faith, unity, and selfless service – inspired by the vision and blessings of His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj – ready to serve people from all backgrounds and ages for years to come.
Raj Gajjar, a lead volunteer, shared, “The Mandir Mahotsav has been a joyous occasion, which has truly brought our whole community together. This new mandir is for everyone in Ruislip and beyond. It will be a place where people can find peace, learn, and come together in a spirit of friendship and service.”