BAPS Swaminarayan Research Institute Inaugurated in Robbinsville, New Jersey
- The organization bills it as the “first such center of learning and research of Indian languages and Hindu scriptures in the Swaminarayan tradition to open in the United States.”
The BAPS Swaminarayan Research Institute was inaugurated on June 18 at the site of the Akshardham temple in Robbinsville, New Jersey. BAPS says the institute is the “first such center of learning and research of Indian languages and Hindu scriptures in the Swaminarayan tradition to open in the United States.”
The inaugural ceremony began in the morning with a ‘Satsang Diksha Homatmak Path’ yagna. Children sang Vedic peace prayers and recited Sanskrit verses. Devotees witnessed the ceremony in person and via live telecast across North America and worldwide.
Mahamahopadhyaya Pujya Bhadreshdas Swami, who is visiting from India, presided over the inauguration event. Mahant Swami Maharaj joined the ceremony virtually from Ahmedabad, and inaugurated the institute with the lighting of the inaugural lamp. Diyas were subsequently lit by attending members of the New Jersey assembly. He then blessed the attendees including elected officials, representatives from over 50 Hindu temples and organizations, guests, and scholars.
Bhadreshdas Swami delivered the institute’s inaugural lecture and reinforced Mahant Swami Maharaj’s messages of global harmony, public service and educational excellence. He encouraged children and youth to explore their interests in the areas of arts and Hindu philosophy.