BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Christchurch

The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Christhurch is the third Mandir in New Zealand of the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha, known popularly as BAPS. It is the only Hindu temple in the South Island of New Zealand. It opened officially on 26 June 2012.

History

Prior to that from February 2012, it was open for worship only with the photos of all the deities. On 26 June 2012, there were actually all the statues that were blessed by HDH Pramukhswami Maharaj that were instated in the temple in a "one of its kind" religious ceremony in Christchurch. The ceremony was unique because all parts tenders got to participate In religious ritual called "mahapooja". All the people who attended this felt very blessed as everyone got given an idol frame plus a religiously blessed piece of cloth that they had to drape themselves with at the mahapooja. The ceremony was filmed and the videos are available to purchase at the temple at a very nominal price.

Even going in time before that, BAPS initiated its entry in Christchurch in 1993 when it had only two followers in Christchurch which increased only to a handful. Since then the support to BAPS has steadily increased.

People in Christchurch have got a place of worship. It is called as a temple and as history will say, it will be the first Hindu temple in the south island of New Zealand. The North Island has two temples already; in auckland and Wellington respectively. There is also a plan of opening a temple in Rotorua. Rotorua currently has a big following of the faith. They regularly meet on a Sunday. This congregation is called " Sabha" . The Sunday "Sabha" is always followed by dinner called as "MahaPrasad". MahaPrasad means God's offering. In Hindu religion it is believed that after worshipping God one should always have the food offered to God.

The Christchurch Mandir is essentially managed by the Asia Pacific region's management. The programme is all delivered from the offices based in Atlanta, USA. There is a strict schedule that's has to be followed. The schedule at the temple is as follows

Daily 7am "Aarti" praising and offerings of prayer to The God. Mandir opens from 7am till 12 noon. 11am is the time for offering lunch to God, called "Thal" The temple closes from 12noon till 4pm for public. At 4pm the Mandir opens to public till 8pm. At 7pm there is the evening "Aarti"

On Sunday There is always special religious congregation on Sunday. This is followed by dinner called as " MahaPrasad" as stated earlier.

From 1993 till 2012, the BAPS followers did regularly meet and celebrated all the festivals at social and community halls.

The deities

There are statues of following Gods

Lord shiva Lordess Parvati(wife) Lord Ganesha (son)

Lord Rama Lordess Sita(wife) Lord Hanumana ( their worshipper)

Lord Krishna Lordess Radha

Aksharbrahma Gunatitanand Swami( follower of Lord Swaminarayan) Purna Purushottam Lord Shri Swaminarayan

Then there is the Guru followings ( Guru parampara) Bhagatji Maharaj, Shastriji Maharaj, Yogiji Maharaj and the current Guru Pramukhswami Maharaj.

The Priest The Mandir has a dedicated priest. His name is Mr.Ghanshyam Rafaliya. All the religious procedures and practices are strictly adhered to and followed by him. His day starts at 4.45 am where he has to get ready and wake the Gods up. He offers water, toothpaste and toothbrush to all the Gods. The he offers breakfast which is freshly made daily. Then he does Aarti at 7am. At 11am he offers lunch. After that the gods go for their afternoon rest. He himself takes rest at 1pm till 2.45pm. Then he wakes the Gods up from the afternoon rest. Offers, them fruit and water. Then at 4pm opens the temple to public. He meets and greets people. apart from this, he offers religious services of performing religious celebrations at people's homes or at temple. So he is a very busy man.

Photos will be uploaded soon