The Pran Pratistha Mahotsav concluded on Sunday at France’s first traditional Hindu temple in Paris, with the grand BAPS Swaminarayan Hindu Mandir now open to all visitors and devotees.
His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, the present Guru of BAPS Akshardham Sansthan, performed the Pran Pratistha ceremony with Vedic chanting in the morning. A large number of saints and devotees from Europe, Australia, America, Africa and Asia, as well as many distinguished guests from over 40 countries including India, America, Canada, England and Africa, were present for the occasion.
Senior saints started the Mahapuja with Vedic chanting, which included consecration of idols of Shri Aksharpurushottam Maharaj, Shri Ghanshyam Maharaj, Shri Radha-Krishna Bhagwan, Shri Sita-Ram Bhagwan with Shri Lakshman Ji and Shri Hanuman Ji Maharaj, Shri Parvati-Shankar Bhagwan, Shri Kartikeya Ji and Shri Ganesh Ji Maharaj, Shri Padmavati Venkateswara Bhagwan, Shri Ayyappa Swami Ji, Shri Neelkanthvarni Maharaj and idols of the Guru tradition.
After the consecration, Mahant Swami Maharaj prayed first in the temple to maintain mutual love and harmony among all religions, to ensure global peace and welfare of all.
The temple covers 5,000 sqm, with a traditional temple constructed on its upper floor and a handsome mansion as a cultural center at the base. Marble from countries like India, Italy, Greece, and Vietnam, and sandstone from Gwalior have been used in its construction. It has 5 pinnacles, 10 giant domes, 20 carved columns, 120 gavakshas, 49 character craft statues, and 4 furnished umbrellas.
Building a grand temple in Paris was resolved by Guru Yogiji Maharaj in the year 1970. Bhoomi pujan of the temple took place in 2021, and the foundation stone laying ceremony concluded in 2022. Temple construction was completed in 2026.
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