Namaste and Jai Swaminarayan,
It is with great joy and reverence that we extend this heartfelt invitation to you and your family to be part of a momentous occasion—the visit of His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, the spiritual leader of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, to Australia in February and March 2025.
At the age of 92, His Holiness will embark on a historic journey across Melbourne and Sydney, where he will lead a series of significant celebrations, bringing together Hindus and the broader Australian community through devotion, culture, and unity.
One of the most significant events of this visit will take place in Melbourne on Saturday, 1 March 2025, where a remarkable
milestone in preserving Sanskrit will be celebrated. More than 1,300 individuals, ranging in age from four to seventy, will be honoured for memorising and reciting 315 shlokas from the Satsang Diksha, a scripture authored by Mahant Swami Maharaj. This scripture serves as a guide to daily moral living, inspiring individuals to cultivate spiritual values and discipline in their lives. The event will highlight the importance of Sanskrit as the sacred language of the Vedas, the foundational scriptures of Hinduism.
In Sydney, His Holiness’ visit will mark a historic chapter for the Indian and Hindu community in Australia, with the opening of Phase 1 of the BAPS Swaminarayan Hindu Mandir and Cultural Precinct in Kemps Creek. A project that has been a decade in the making, this landmark development will stand as a testament to India’s rich spiritual and cultural heritage, with intricate architecture, deep spiritual significance, and a commitment to community enrichment.
A key highlight of this historic occasion will be the unveiling of Australia’s tallest metal statue, the Nilkanth Varni Tapomurti. This magnificent sculpture portrays Bhagwan Swaminarayan in his youthful form as Nilkanth Varni, standing on one leg in deep meditation, eyes closed in unwavering focus, and arms raised in a posture of spiritual discipline.
The month-long visit of His Holiness in Sydney will commence on 4 March 2025, with a series of spiritual and cultural celebrations, including the unveiling of the Tapomurti statue, a grand Nagar Yatra, the vibrant Holi Festival celebrations, and the Mandir Bhoomi Pujan (Groundbreaking Ceremony), which will mark the beginning of Phase 2 of the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir and Cultural Precinct’s development.
This is a rare opportunity to witness a truly historic occasion, celebrating spirituality, unity, and cultural heritage in Australia. We warmly invite you and your family to be part of this once-in-a-lifetime event and experience the profound presence and blessings of His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj.
We look forward to welcoming you to these special celebrations.
Events in Melbourne and Sydney are open to all visitors – please find the key dates and event-specific information below. For more, visit, msmvicharan.bapsanz.org.
| Event name | Date | Description |
| Melbourne – Southside Racing Cranbourne | ||
| 1000 Nakkar Vidwan Grand Felicitation | Saturday, 1 March 2025 | This will be a celebration of the beauty and importance of Sanskrit, and the commitment of people of all ages to preserving this ancient language through the practice of mukhpath (verbal recall and recital). The event will feature clear recitations, explanations of the meanings of the verses, and reflections on ancient Hindu teachings. Scholars and learned sadhus will also share how language helps preserve culture and spiritual wisdom. The event highlights the importance of Sanskrit for the next generation of leaders, scholars, and individuals with strong values who will continue to honour and share the timeless teachings of the language. |
| Sydney – BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Hindu Mandir and Cultural Precinct, Kemps Creek | ||
| Vishwa Shanti Mahayagna
| Wednesday, 5 March 2025 | The Mahayagna is a devotional ceremony focused on bringing peace, unity, and well-being to all. This ancient Hindu ritual, thousands of years old, involves devotees lighting a sacred fire, symbolising the inner light, and offering aahutis (oblations) for global harmony. The entire family participates, fostering devotion to God, family harmony, and community upliftment. Based on the Vedic teaching of Vasudeva Kutumbakam — “the whole world is one family” — the yagna promotes unity, respect, and peace for all. Rooted in the ancient scriptures of the Vedas, this teaching highlights the importance of mutual respect, unity, and peace in creating a harmonious world. |
| Tapomurti Shri Nilkanth Varni Murti Pratishtha | Thursday, 6 March 2025 | Nilkanth Varni, the youthful form of Bhagwan Swaminarayan, embarked on a remarkable seven-year, 8,000-mile journey across India, dedicating himself to discipline, meditation, and selfless service. The Tapomurti, a 49-foot statue, depicts Nilkanth Varni in a serene yogic posture, symbolising spiritual growth and universal values like inner peace, mental discipline, and compassion—resonating with people from all walks of life. The inauguration ceremony is a traditional Hindu ritual in which Sanskrit mantras are recited to consecrate the statue, transforming it from a metal sculpture into a sacred idol. Following this, the green space around the Tapomurti will be opened to the public, inviting people of all backgrounds to come together, reflect, and draw inspiration from his life of discipline, service, and the universal pursuit of well-being. |
| Nagar Yatra | Friday, 7 March 2025 | A vibrant and joyous procession of the murtis (sacred images) that will eventually reside in the new mandir premises. This cultural and celebratory parade will include exquisitely decorated floats, walking performances and cultural shows, and be an opportunity for the community and onlookers to witness a spiritually and culturally significant moment and for the devotees and mandir community to express their gratitude and introduce themselves to the broader community. |
| Kayakar Suvarana Mahotsav | Sunday, 9 March 2025 | A unique event honouring volunteers’ invaluable contributions and hard work. By sharing inspirational stories of their dedication, the gathering will celebrate the vital role that seva (selfless service) has played in the community and highlight its continued importance once the new cultural centre opens. |
| Pushpadolotsav (Fuldol) | Saturday, 15 March 2025 | Fuldol is a part of the renowned Holi festival, the festival of colour. During this celebration, the Guru sprays coloured water and showers flower petals on devotees, symbolising their blessing on devotees. In a rare occurrence and for only the second time in over 115 years of BAPS history, the community’s spiritual head will celebrate this festival outside India, drawing thousands of people from across Australia and around the world to Sydney for this unforgettable event. In 2025, His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj will bless thousands of devotees by sprinkling them with sacred water, making it a once-in-a-lifetime experience for all who take part and witness the occasion. |
| Mandir Murti Pratishtha Mahotsav | Sunday, 16 March 2025 | The pivotal consecration ceremony is where traditional Hindu rituals and recitation of Vedic shlokas will transform the statues of the deities into murtis – sacred idols that embody divinity. It is similar to the dedication of a church or the blessing of religious icons in other faiths, however this ritual, that imbues the statues with spirituality and devotional importance, also transforms the entire land into a sacred space of worship, community gathering, and social connection. |
| Mandir Shilanyas Mahotsav | Saturday, 22 March 2025 | The foundational stone-laying ceremony that marks the official start of construction for the new traditional stone mandir – the second phase of the BAPS Swaminarayan Hindu Mandir and Cultural Precinct plan. During the event, His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj and the community will perform prayers and rituals to invoke blessings for a spiritually auspicious and successful construction. |
| Annakut Offering | Sunday, 23 March 2025 | Annakut, meaning ‘mountain of food,’ is a vibrant celebration where thousands of unique food items are lovingly prepared by devotees and offered to the deities as a symbol of gratitude and appreciation. This special Annakut event will mark the inauguration of Australia’s tallest metal statue, the Nilkanth Varni Tapomurti, and the opening of a new haveli. Most importantly, all the food is shared among devotees and visitors, fostering a sense of community, and is also given to charity. |
