Inauguration of Lilburn, Georgia’s Majestic Landmark Temple
By Mahadev Desai
 

The peripatetic, highly energetic, and indefatigable, beloved Guru, His Highness Divine Pramukh Swami Maharaj has arrived in Atlanta on a 15 day visit to inspire and bless the inauguration festivities comprising of various cultural programs, including folk dances, religious discourses, Centenary Celebrations, Festival Parade and dramas. H.D.H. Pramukh Swami will perform the much anticipated Murti Pratishtha (Temple inauguration) ceremony of the traditional BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir-Atlanta, located on 460 Rockbridge Road NE, Lilburn, Georgia, on Sunday August 2007. The ceremony will be in accordance with the Vedic rituals to infuse divinity into the sacred images inside the Mandir and will be performed in presence of community leaders, dignitaries, Government Officials, devotees and well wishers from the US and abroad. The ceremony will also be broadcast live on 3 Indian TV Channels.



The Mandir, which is a 3rd Shikharbaddha Mandir in the US and the first in Atlanta, Georgia, is an architectural jewel. The ground breaking ceremony was performed by H.D.H.Pramukh Swami Maharaj in September 2005. This marvel of a Mandir, on a 30 acre site in Lilburn, with mind-boggling intricate carving and design is constructed of over 106,000 cubic feet and 34671 pieces of Italian Carrara marble, Turkish Limestone, and Indian pink Sandstone, meticulously hand-carved by Indian artisans according to a 5,000 year old tradition and shipped from India in containers. The magnificent Mandir’s height, width and length are 74 feet, 136 feet and 239 feet respectively. 1.3 million Man hours of construction by dedicated and selfless volunteers have been contributed to this magnificent temple in such a short time.

On Wednesday, August 22, 2007, Director, Media Relations, Mitesh Patel, Umangi Patel, Anand Mehta and Jitubhai Patel briefed representatives of the mainstream media and ethnic media about the Temple and various festivities leading upto the inauguration ceremony. After a very informative Press Conference, the representatives were given a guided tour of the Temple by well-trained, cheerful and courteous Media and Public Relations representatives ,Ritesh Desai, Sheetal Desai, Komal Parikh,Ashini Parikh, to name a few and volunteer-guides.
 

All are welcome to experience the unique festivities over the three days:
Friday, August 24, 2007: A grand Centenary Celebration in honor of 100 years of BAPS history
Saturday, August 25, 2007: A Vishvashanti Mahayag (traditional yagna for world peace) followed by a Nagar Yatra (Festival Parade) showcasing a beautiful collage of Indian Culture. The yatra will take place at 4.30 p.m.commencing at Lilburn Middle School proceeding down Lawrenceville Highway toward Rockbridge Road. It will include numerous decorative floats, folk dances in colorful traditional costumes, devotional hymns, and classical Indian instruments. The sacred images to be installed in the Mandir on Sunday will also be paraded around the city in which they will reside.
Sunday, August 26, 2007: HDH Pramukh Swami Maharaj will perform the Murti Pratistha (Temple inauguration) ceremony in the morning.
The Mandir will be open to the general public on September 1, 2007.
Bochasanwasi Shree Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha(BAPS)established in 1907, is a worldwide civic and religious organization dedicated to the spirituality of the individual while promoting harmony between individuals ,within families and within diverse communities. Currently, there are 57 BAPS Mandirs and Cultural Centers in North America. H.D.H. Pramukh Swami Maharaj is the fifth spiritual successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and the present leader of BAPS, since 1970. He leads an austere and celibate life. His compassion for humanity and caring nature have touched and inspired countless people.
 

Courtesy: BAPS Media Relation