In Ayodhya, within just 20 days of the consecration of the Ram Temple, another grand temple is set to be inaugurated. What sets this temple apart is its location – it’s constructed in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with a whopping cost of 700 crore rupees, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate it on February 14th. This magnificent temple has been built by the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, with significant contributions from the spiritual leader Mahant Swami Maharaj. Let’s delve into the details and significance of this upcoming event.
The Spiritual Icon: Mahant Swami Maharaj
Mahant Swami Maharaj, the sixth and current spiritual leader of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, is affectionately referred to as Mahant Swami Maharaj by his devotees. He was born as Keshavjivan Dasji to Dahiben and Manibhai Narayanbhai Patel in the city of Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, on September 13, 1933. Raised in a spiritually inclined environment, his parents held great reverence for saints and actively participated in satsangs. Shortly after his birth, when the revered saint Swami Narayan Sanstha’s Shastriji Maharaj visited Jabalpur, he blessed the newborn and named him Keshav.
Originally hailing from Aanand in Gujarat, Manibhai relocated to Jabalpur for business purposes. Keshav received his early education in Jabalpur and later graduated in Agricultural Sciences. However, his inclination towards spirituality became evident early on. In 1951-52, he came into contact with Param Pujya Yogi Ji Maharaj, the spiritual successor of Brahmaswarup Shastriji Maharaj, which marked the beginning of his spiritual journey. In 1957, Yogi Ji Maharaj initiated him as a sadhu, and he actively contributed to the construction of the Akshardham Temple. His discourses have influenced countless devotees over the years.
Elevation to the Position of Head Guru in BAPS
On July 20, 2012, Swami Maharaj was declared the head guru of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha by the previous head, Swami Maharaj. Since then, under his leadership, the organization has overseen the construction of numerous Swaminarayan temples worldwide. Notably, the sprawling temple complex spanning 27 acres in Abu Dhabi, UAE, is among the significant constructions. This temple holds particular significance as the first Hindu temple built in the Middle East. Construction began in 2019, and its inauguration is imminent. It’s worth mentioning that in 2015, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, generously donated 13.5 acres of land for the temple’s construction.
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