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NEW YORK, NY — “I am absolutely ecstatic to be here today. This is a great day for Long Island. This Mandir is absolutely beautiful. It is gorgeous,” said, Steven Bellone, Suffolk County Executive during the inauguration of the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, in Melville, New York.
Sadguru Pujya Kothari Swami (Pujya Bhaktipriya Swami), one of the most senior Swamis of BAPS, and among the revered swamis from India and North America inaugurated the temple on October 9.
After two decades of unflinching dedication and thousands of hours of volunteer work, the Mandir stood glistening as the much-anticipated inauguration ceremony started on the morning of October 9. Sadguru Pujya Kothari Swami performed the consecration ceremony in accordance with Hindu Vedic rituals to infuse divinity into the sacred images inside the Mandir in the presence of devotees and well-wishers from across the tri-state area.
The Mandir is the vision of His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj. It was inaugurated with the blessing of His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, the current spiritual leader of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha.
“The inauguration of the mandir is a dream come true for me,” said, Girish Patel, a senior volunteer for the mandir.
“We were trying to acquire land since a long time and put in a lot of effort for the timely completion of the construction. The inauguration of the mandir is a great moment of joy and celebration for all of us. Today onwards, the Mandir is open to one and all.”
The inauguration was a culmination of a host of events held over three days. The festivities for the opening began with a melodious “Kirtan Aradhana” (singing of devotional songs) by BAPS Swamis. On October 8, a yagna was performed with prayers for family unity and world peace.
Speaking on the occasion, Bellone said, “Long Island, Suffolk County, this nation, this world is enriched, has been made better by all of the people inside this room today. There are a lot of problems in the world today, we have problems here in our own country, and sometimes when I think about the future I think what is that going to look like. So I feel good, and I feel confident, and I feel proud about our future.”
Other dignitaries present for the event were Assemblyman Chad A. Lupinacci, Steve Zimmerman from Newsday Corporation and community leaders from New York and New Jersey.
“I have been waiting for this day for years. I can’t believe it it’s finally here and it’s so beautiful, said Sheena Shah, a devotee. “If one word could sum up the construction of this Mandir, it would be: sacrifice. It was, indeed, the dedication, service, effort and sacrifice of hundreds of volunteers from doctors to lawyers to engineers to architects who completed this Mandir”, said, Hardik Patel.
“Whether it was raining or sweltering outside, volunteers came every evening and on all weekends to do everything from heavy-duty labor to planning and execution of the smallest thing for making this Mandir.”
The mandir was constructed utilizing a suite of eco-friendly and cost-effective technological advancements including natural lighting techniques, and LED lights to help reduce its carbon footprint. The 48,000 square foot mandir includes youth classrooms, a gymnasium, and an assembly hall to host the weekly Satsang or spiritual assemblies.
The mandir located on 2 Deshon Drive, Melville NY 11747, will be open daily from 7 am to 12 pm and 4 pm – 8 pm. Daily arti will be at 7 am and 6:30 pm.