Deity Parade at BAPS Temple in New Jersey

On Friday evening, our two swamis were given seats of honor along with the three of the organization's five Sadguru Swamis who were present at this grand temple inauguration. The Sadguru Swamis of the BAPS monastic order are the equivalent of our Paramacharyas, their most senior monks who have received guru diksha. Our younger swami in attendance was particularly humbled (read embarrassed) to be on the dais with them all.

The traditional parade of the murtis through the streets of the town prior to their installation in the new temple took place entirely on the 167-acre campus in Robbinsville Township, a chiefly rural, farming town just outside Princeton. The participants in the parade were in top form, and everyone enjoyed the entertainment and darshan.

Is that an orange Lamborghini?

Why yes, it is! Here to transport Sri Harikrishna Maharaj, the tiny murti that is worshiped in Param Pujya Pramukh Swami Maharaj\

s personal daily puja.'

Akshar Dhwani is the BAPS Dallas Marching Band, an actual, traditional American marching band, and a top-notch one at that. Who says that Hindus don\

t blend into their local communities?'

Delegations from around the world were present. Devotees from Africa donned traditional garments from their localities, complete with face paint. And wow, did they ever dance!

Sri Akshar Purushottam Maharaj (Bhagwan Swaminarayan, left, and his chief disciple, Gunatitanand Swami), the temple\

s central murtis'

This is a panorama, so hover over the left and right sides to pan

Dimple Dhanani was at the temple with her fiance, Dayaprasad Kulkarni

Paramacharya gifted rudrakshas from our forest on Kauai and blessed them for their marriage that was to take place at the new temple on Sunday

}
];

transitionSpeed:150});