ATLANTA: The latest BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir - a majestic white structure at the intersection of Lawrenceville Highway and Rockbridge Road - is set to open its doors to the general public on August 26. The opening of the Mandir is scheduled to coincide with the visit of Pramukh Swami Maharaj, who will be in Atlanta from August 16 to August 30. As a regular volunteer for over two years, engineer Manish Patel explained that "the Mandir, apart from being a socio-spiritual haven, brings true Indian architecture and culture to life on American grounds.

This has truly been a community effort and we really appreciate the city of Lilburn and its people for their support." The Atlanta Mandir follows in the footsteps of similar Mandirs consecrated in Houston, Chicago, and most recently, Toronto. It is a Shikharbaddha Mandir, which is built according to guidelines dictated in the ancient Shilp-Shastras.

This Mandir is unique as there will be both an inside and outside parikrama, areas in which visitors can circumambulate around the images. The Atlanta Mandir will also have a tapered ceiling. Adorning the ceiling by the main Mandir entrance will be a sankalp vruksh, at which devotees can ask for anything they wish, as long as they do it with a pure heart. Festivities for the opening weekend will begin on Thursday, August 23, in which a Kirtan Aradhana with delightful devotional music and vocals will be performed by some of the most accomplished BAPS saints.

On Friday, August 24, BAPS will be celebrating its centenary, and reflect on its spiritual, cultural and social activities through speeches by respected sadhus, jubilant dances from youths, dramas performed by devotees, and multimedia presentations. On Saturday, August 25, followers will pray for world peace during the Vishwa Shanti Mahayag. Later that evening will be the Nagar Yatra, a colorful procession parading the sacred images which then confer their blessings upon all. And on Sunday, August 26 at, Pramukh Swami Maharaj will perform the murti pratishtha ceremony. The event will be telecast live on TV Asia, Sahara One and Aastha TV. It will also be webcasted live on www.baps.org.