Around the year 1958, Kutchee devotees began migrating
to East Africa and thereafter to the United Kingdom, the United
States of America and other parts of the world. Ever since,
the Swaminarayan Satsang is evolving throughout the world
outside the mother country, India.
On 30th April 1976 (i.e. over 26
years ago) devotees in the East region of London (UK) began
house to house devotion for ultimate salvation. One of the
main residence where Swaminarayan Satsang took place was at
189 Green Street, London E7. The worshipping process included
the normal rituals such as Aartis, Thads, Kathas, Bhajans
and Kirtans. Finally, Prasaad was also being served to all
devotees. Ever since the worshipping ceremonies began, Satsang
grew from the very few who took part to hundreds. Then when
came the auspicious occasions such as Ramanavami (Lord Shree
Rama's and Lord Shree Swaminarayan's birthday); Janmashtami
(Lord Shree Krishna's birthday); Diwali (Lord Shree Rama's
victory over Maharaja Ravana and becoming the King of Ayodhya);
etc., arrangements were made to hire a hall from funds raised
by the devotees to celebrate these occasions. As Satsang grew
even bigger, saints visited all the way from Kutch to render
their advanced knowledge on Lord Shree Swaminarayan and His
satsang/devotees.
Satsang was maintained this way
in East London. As the number of devotees grew, there become
a need for a bigger and proper place to worship. Organisational
difficulties and frustrations of not having a temple prompted
local devotees to seek the then Mahant (head of saints) Shashtri
Swami Dharmajeevandasji Swami's help. By means of forwarding
letters and meeting with him personally, his message rendered
blessings to continue house to house worshipping whilst looking
for a better and permanent place of worshipping that is convenient
to all.
Satsang and shopping for a permanent site
continued for a long time. Finally, on 10th October 1985 with
the blessings of Lord Shree Swaminarayan's and the Mahant
Swami's greatness and glory, came time for a dream of every
devotee to become true. A site to build a Temple was seen,
decision to buy the land was made and contracts were signed
to acquire the site. Fund raising tasks began on 1st December
1985. What more can be said about the dedication and enthusiasm
of the devotees whether local, national or international,
everyone took their part in contributing in any and every
form possible to bring such great dream come true. Funds began
to pour in from all directions and plans began to emerge in
the presence of Lord Shree Swaminarayan's and Swamis' blessings.
According to Shashtri Swami Shree Hariswarupdasji,
Shashtri Swami Shree Dharmakishoredasji and Shashtri Swami
Shree Morlimanohardasji's expectations, Sinhasan and Murtis
were imported from Shree Swaminarayan Temple, Bhuj, India.
Year 1987 was the year when things started
happening. A group of saints that included Purani Swami Patitpavandasji
Swami and Purani Swami Krushnaprasaddasji Swami who visited
East London and through them, the special ritual ceremonies
of installing the holy Murtis began on 20th December 1987
(Murti Prathistha Mahotsav). However, the 3D marble murtis
of Shree Hanumanji and Shree Ganeshji were not installed until
26th August 1988 in the presence of Shree Narnarayan Dev's
throne Acharaya Maharaj 1008 Shree Tejendraprasadji Maharaj
Shree and Mahant Shashtri Swami Shree Hariswarupdasji and
His mandal. This day and month of every year then became the
Pathutsav (annual ceremony of the Temple's formation) |