Paris evokes imagination and everyone’s heart as a romantic city world over. However, from now on the city will also be identified as spiritual home for enabling the BAPS Sanstha to erect a Shikhar Mandir in the outskirts suburb of Bussy-Saint-Georges
The amazing phenomenon did not just happen, planning commenced from a Sankalp, wish to erect a temple in Paris expressed by late Shri Yogiji Maharaj 56 years ago whilst passing through Orly airport now. Pramukh Swami Maharaj then took over and finally culminated into fruition by Mahant Swami Maharaj with at most precision. Over 10,00 pieces of stone beautifully carved in India, shipped and erected in France brining in modern method of construction to build a structure depicting ancient values and rich Hindu culture.
As a participant, I was awed by sheer size of daily crowd visiting a makeshift town – Nagar about 8-10 minutes’ walk from the Temple. There was huge purpose made marquees, a concert quality stage and space for thousands of devotees who came from 42 countries. The main highlights commenced by Jal Yatra on the river Seine, a Welcome Sabha for Mahant Swami Maharaj, a Nagar Yatra -Walk partaken by over 6,000 devotees young and old passing by the Eiffel tower and finishing at Napolean’s Tomb. The most important function was of course Murti Pratishta, invoking life into the Godly statutes with hundreds of Shlokas as per Vedi tradition in the presence of major donors, dignitaries, local Mayors watched live by devotees who visited as well as live all over the world.
Each event and daily routine was conducted by hundreds of volunteers from manning the traffic, organising shuttles to nearest stations, first aid, security, preparation and serving of food in orderly and hygienic manner. What’s more, even breakfast and lunch parcels were packed with strenuous efforts
For me, the Nagar yatra comprising disciplined devotees in their Sunday best attires, boys and girls wearing traditional dress from all the regions of India performing live folk dances and devotional songs, floats displaying all artefacts of rich Indian culture and vibrant music. They were rewarded by Darshan of Mahant Swami Maharaj who at the age of 93 still came in his special cart and blessed the passing crowd under the gaze of Eiffel tower. Who would’ve imagined this will happen, an Indian Satpurush showcasing the Parisians and tourists the importance of Sanatan Dharma and aspects of Hindu religion in 2026
BAPS is well known for their structured opportunity for all to practice Hinduism though The Swaminarayan panth. This is well represented, along with the main Murtis of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and Shri Akshar-Purushottam Maharaj, Lord Venkatashwar and Padmavati as well as Lord Ayyapa worshipped by devotees from southern India.
BAPS Paris mandir is among four religious places of worship situated on Allée Madame de Montespan, Bussy-Saint-Georges and admittedly the most ornate and eye-catching A structure.
Mandir provides a breathing space for the community, connect with God, learn Sanskars and helps make a good society. One of the Sadhus -monks in his address to the crowd said that Mandirs are like hardware and the intrinsic knowledge of our Dharma guided through religious scriptures, chanting is software for effective practice of our Dharma.
After the Murti Pratishtha, Mahant Swami Maharaj read a beautiful letter he had written to Yogiji Maharaj informing that the Guru Agna -command he had given to his the then Shikshak-student to build a temple in Paris is fulfilled. He then blessed all the devotees, the land of Europe and more specifically Paris.
I had opportunity to talk to a couple from Laos who were keen to stop and watch the proceedings of the Nagar yatra and find similarities between Buddhism and Hinduism, saying the experience to witness this historic even was mesmerising. Another young local couple were so impressed that they waited through the whole procession lasting nearly two hours.
The last main event in the marquee was addressed by, among other dignitaries, PM Modi in the presence of Mahant Swami Maharaj. The cultural bridge between France and India is now even stronger and the Mandir will provide an oasis of spirituality for the people of Europe and wider world.
What I saw, heard and witnessed like many others from America to Australia was a vibrant community full of happiness, positive outlook, utter devotion, love and respect for Mahant swami Maharaj who himself is epitome of kindness, compassion and oozing brightness of life.
By Bharat Parmar
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