Who Lives In a Mandir?
Home of the Divine
A mandir is not just sacred architecture, but it is the home of God. The focal point of the mandir are the murtis.
A murti is a sacred image used in Hindu worship. It serves as a respectful focus for prayer, helping devotees connect with God with attention and sincerity.
Murti
The central focus of a mandir are the murtis.
The term murti is derived from the Sanskrit word 'murta', meaning embodiment. A murti is therefore more than a physical representation of God or a meditational aid, but a receptacle (or vessel) for the living presence of the Divine. This is ensured by the meticulous design and crafting of the image according to ancient Hindu scriptures, and through a set of elaborate Vedic rituals performed by the enlightened guru, whereby each part of the image is ceremoniously infused with the presence of the Divine.
1781-1830
Bhagwan Swaminarayan
This mandir is dedicated to Parabrahma Bhagwan Swaminarayan. Bhagwan Swaminarayan manifested in northern India in 1781 to grant eternal liberation to countless souls, remove misguided religious practices, and dispel misinterpretations that had crept into Hinduism.
Heading a socio-spiritual awakening, he established the Swaminarayan Sampradaya at the age of 20, introducing social reforms, serving the poor and needy, and preaching against superstitions, addictions and violence. During his lifetime, he initiated a total of 3,000 sadhus (ordained monks) and was recognised and worshipped as Purushottam (supreme God) by countless individuals.
To continue his work of moral and spiritual regeneration, he promised to remain ever-present on earth through an unbroken succession of enlightened, God-realized gurus.
1784-1867
Gunatitanand Swami
Aksharbrahma Gunatitanand Swami was the first spiritual successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan.
He lived a life of an ideal sadhu, dedicated to the devotion of God, service of others, and sharing of profound wisdom. His sermons were written down in the Swamini Vato scripture.
He was revealed by Bhagwan Swaminarayan to be Akshar, the perfectly enlightened devotee and the closest entity to God as extolled in the Hindu scriptures (such as Vedas, Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita). As Akshar, he remains manifest on earth as the enlightened guru, helping aspirants attain God-realization.
Ghanshyam Maharaj (Bhagwan Swaminarayan)
Bhagwan Swaminarayan was known by the name of Ghanshyam during his childhood.
Ghanshyam renounced home at the age of 11 to embark on a 7-year, 7,000-mile spiritual journey across the length and breadth of India. Walking alone, barefoot, and with almost no possessions, he sanctified places of pilgrimage and inspired thousands to lead a life rooted in morality and spirituality.
Ending his trek in the state of Gujarat, he built six majestic mandirs and inspired the creation of scores of scriptural texts by his sadhus.
Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s spiritual teachings were recorded in the Vachanamrut – a collection of his discourses encapsulating Vedic wisdom and methods for implementing it in daily life.
Harikrishna Maharaj (Bhagwan Swaminarayan)
Bhagwan Swaminarayan was also fondly called by the name of Harikrishna Maharaj. As this mandir is dedicated to Bhagwan Swaminarayan, his murti (sacred image) have been consecrated in various shrines under different names.
Unlike the other murtis, which are carved from marble, this murti is made from a mixture of five pure metals:
- Gold symbolizes prosperity and purity.
- Silver represents calmness.
- Copper represents vitality.
- Iron represents strength and stability.
- Lead represents grounding.
Bhagwan Shri Krishna & Shri Radhaji
One of the Hindu faith's most beloved personalities, Bhagwan Shri Krishna’s endearing childhood exploits and enchanting flute melodies inspired profound philosophers, poets, and great sages throughout time.
Bhagwan Krishna embodied qualities we aspire to achieve, including loyalty, gentleness, and stability amidst challenges. His inspiring teachings are encapsulated in the Bhagavad Gita, one of Hinduism's most revered and renowned scriptures. Within it, he teaches how to become a true yogi, one with unwavering faith in the Divine.
He is accompanied by Shrimati Radhaji, his ideal devotee. She is revered as the epitome of divine love and dedication. Her divine bond with Bhagwan Krishna illuminates the path of spiritual devotion and teaches us that true love knows no bounds.
Bhagwan Shri Ram & Shri Sitaji
One of the world's most timeless divine figures, Bhagwan Shri Ram embodies the profound teachings of truth, justice, and compassion. He overcame extraordinary challenges and exemplifies what it means to be an ideal ruler, citizen, sibling and son.
Standing with him is his ever-faithful queen, Shrimati Sitaji, who personifies fidelity, love and unwavering faith.
The narrative of Bhagwan Shri Ram's life is found in the Ramayan, a historical epic and one of India's most celebrated literary works.
Shri Hanumanji
Alongside Bhagwan Shri Ram is his faithful devotee, Shri Hanumanji. He is admired for his immense strength, self-discipline, humility and unwavering devotion.
His virtues of inner strength, alertness, loyalty, humility, patience as well as other qualities of an ideal servant are an inspiration to all devotees. He inspires bravery and courage in fighting for righteousness. Seekers look to him for guidance and strength to overcome adversities; devotees pray to him asking for protection against evil forces.
Bhagwan Shri Shankar & Shri Parvatiji
Bhagwan Shri Shankar - also known as Shivji, Mahadev or Maheshwar - oversees the cosmic dissolution and represents the power of change and destruction. He embodies a meditative demeanor, exuding simplicity, wisdom, and dedication to the practice of yoga. The accounts of his life appear in many scriptures, perhaps the most renowned of which is the Shiv Puran.
At Bhagwan Shankar’s side is his consort Shrimati Parvatiji, also known as Uma Devi or Mataji. She is Bhagwan Shri Shankar’s most dedicated devotee and is the embodiment of the creative and the nurturing feminine energy that animates this universe.
Shri Ganeshji
Present along with Bhagwan Shri Shankar-Parvatiji is their beloved son, Shri Ganeshji. He is revered as the remover of obstacles and the lord of new beginnings. He is honored at the start of various Hindu ceremonies.
Along with Shri Ganeshji resides:
- Shri Shivling - The rounded black stone is a Shivaling, worshipped as a representation of Shiva. It represents Infinity and Eternity.
- Nandi - Nandi the bull, a devoted servant of Shiva, symbolises the limitless effort and tolerance required for self-realisation.
- Kurma - Represents the tortoise (or Kurma Avatar, the second incarnation of Lord Vishnu). Just as a tortoise can withdraw its limbs into its shell, the Kurma teaches devotees to withdraw their senses and ego from the material world to focus on God.
Sukh Shayya
This depiction of Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s last days on earth shows him giving Gunatitanand Swami final instructions about leading the Swaminarayan Sampradaya. Those same instructions and empowerments have been passed down to each of the enlightened gurus in an unbroken spiritual lineage for over two hundred years.
1829-1897
Bhagatji Maharaj
Bhagatji Maharaj was Bhagwan Swaminarayan's second spiritual successor. His life exemplified the importance of seva (selfless service) to God and guru.
Humble by trade, Bhagatji Maharaj personified Hinduism's teaching that the path to spiritual awakening transcends social distinctions. All can attain liberation through devotion while observing the religious prescriptions for them. His intense desire to worship God endeared him to many, including his disciple Shastriji Maharaj.
1865-1951
Shastriji Maharaj
Shastriji Maharaj was Bhagwan Swaminarayan's third spiritual successor.
He was a magnetic orator and a profound scholar of Sanskrit and ancient Hindu scriptures. He established the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) in 1907. He clarified and propagated Akshar-Purushottam Darshan, the spiritual philosophy revealed by Bhagwan Swaminarayan. This theology supports the traditional Hindu doctrine of the worship of God, along with his ideal disciple.
Shastriji Maharaj’s life exemplified tireless dedication, authenticity, and fearless commitment to sharing spiritual truth with the world.
1892-1971
Yogiji Maharaj
Yogiji Maharaj was Bhagwan Swaminarayan's fourth spiritual successor. His life was one of selfless service, inspiring sermons and the sharing of his profound spiritual love. He inspired spiritual activities beyond the limits of India, helping Hindus in England, North America and Africa to preserve their faith and values.
To nurture spiritual growth, he established congregations for all ages, where devotees could gather regularly to serve, learn, and grow together. His vision led to the creation of children’s and youth activities that are now central to BAPS activities worldwide.
1921-2016
Pramukh Swami Maharaj
Pramukh Swami Maharaj was Bhagwan Swaminarayan's fifth spiritual successor. He was loved and respected as one of the world’s great spiritual teachers. He lived and promoted the principle: “In the joy of others, lies our own.”
This mandir is the fruits of his vision and dedication, and was inaugurated on August 8, 2004. Under his leadership, BAPS grew into an international spiritual and humanitarian organization with over 5,025 centers worldwide.
He travelled throughout the world, dedicating his life to the well-being of others, visiting more than 250,000 homes in 17,000 villages and cities, and personally counselling more than 810,000 people. He created over 1,100 Hindu mandirs and ordained 1,000 youths into the monastic order to serve society and strive spiritually.
b. 1933
Mahant Swami Maharaj
Mahant Swami Maharaj is Bhagwan Swaminarayan's sixth and current spiritual successor and the present spiritual leader of BAPS. For over six decades, he served under the guidance of his gurus, Yogiji Maharaj and Pramukh Swami Maharaj.
Through his simple spirituality and profoundly insightful discourses, he has inspired ethical living and strengthened faith in the lives of countless people. He authored the Satsang Diksha - a scripture which outlines the philosophical principles and daily personal practices to be undertaken by devotees based on the teachings of Bhagwan Swaminarayan.
Under his leadership, BAPS continues to grow as a global force for inspiring harmony, unconditional devotion, moral values and selfless service.