THE BAPS Swaminarayan Research Institute, US, was inaugurated on Saturday (18) in Robbinsville, New Jersey, at the site of Swaminarayan Akshardham – North America. Besides Mahamahopadhyaya Pujya Bhadreshdas Swami, a renowned scholar of Hindu Philosophy and Sanskrit, more than 115 representatives from 50 Hindu temples and organisations, devotees and swamis and scholars from India and the US were present on the occasion.
Plans for the research institute in Robbinsville gained momentum after members of the local community showed growing interest in learning Sanskrit and gaining a deeper understanding of Hindu scriptures. The institute will strive to foster social harmony, interfaith dialogue, public engagement, and academic discourse through a rigorous teaching of Sanskrit, Vedic and classical literature and Hindu values, beliefs and practice. It is also expected to generate opportunities for value-based education, innovative research and creative expression.
His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, the spiritual leader of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, inaugurates the BAPS Swaminarayan Research Institute via live webcast from India by lighting the inaugural lamp (deep-pragatya) symbolising the spreading of the light of knowledge throughout the world. (Picture: BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha)
On Saturday morning, hundreds of swamis and devotees gathered at the site to take part in a ‘Satsang Dikshā Homātmak Pāth.’ They made offerings to a sacred fire at a unique yajna while recitation of selected verses from the Satsang Dikshawere took place.
The yajna was performed to pray for world peace and an auspicious beginning for the research institute.
Mahamahopadhyay Bhadreshdas Swami (centre) inaugurates the B.A.P.S Swaminarayan Research Institute in Robbinsville, New Jersey, US. (Picture: BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha)
Children also sang Vedic peace prayers and recited Sanskrit verses.
Besides those who were present physically to witness the event, thousands saw it via a live telecast across North America and around the world.
Children sing Vedic peace prayers and recited Sanskrit verses during the inauguration of BAPS Swaminarayan Research Institute in Robbinsville, New Jersey, US. (Picture: BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha)
His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj joined the ceremony virtually from Ahmedabad, India, and inaugurated the institute with the lighting of the inaugural lamp (deep pragatya) symbolising the spreading of the light of knowledge throughout the world.
Mahant Swami Maharaj blessed the attendees and those who remotely joined the event's live broadcasting.
Addressing the assembly, he said, “Yogiji Maharaj had envisioned such an institute and was passionate about youths learning and discoursing in Sanskrit. The research institute has fulfilled this vision. May students excel in their studies and work together to serve society, expanding the circle of unity across the world. In the spirit of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”, meaning the world is one family, let’s reach out to extend the circle of global harmony.”
Pujya Swamis participate in the Satsang Diksha Homatmak Path during the inauguration of BAPS Swaminarayan Research Institute in Robbinsville, New Jersey, US. (Picture: BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha)
HH Swami Maharaj sent Mahamahopadhyaya Pujya Bhadreshdas Swami from India to preside over the inauguration event. Pujya Bhadreshdas Swamiis, who has authored Sanskrit commentarial and philosophical texts -- the Swaminarayan-Bhashyam and the Swaminarayan-Siddhanta-Sudha – respectively, delivered the inaugural speech of the institute and conveyed HH Mahant Swami Maharaj’s messages of global harmony, public service and educational excellence.
Over 115 representatives from 50 Hindu Mandirs and organizations, guests and scholars were present during the inauguration of the BAPS Swaminarayan Research Institute in Robbinsville, New Jersey, US. (Picture: BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha)
Elaborating on Mahant Swami Maharaj’s vision, he encouraged children and youth to explore their interests in the areas of arts and Hindu philosophy.
The ‘BAPS Swaminarayan Research Institute’ is the first such centre of learning and research of Indian languages and Hindu scriptures in the Swaminarayan tradition to open in the US.
Curator Emma Slocombe with ikat robes and arabachi coats in the Peter the Great Room in Blickling Hall Amit Roy 
View of the entrance to Blickling Hall on a rainy autumn dayAmit Roy 
Kente cloth from Ghana in the Long Gallery in Blickling Hall 
Decoration in the Great Hall at Blickling Hall Amit Roy 
Palampore fragment made in coastal south-east India in the Brown Room in Blickling Hall Amit Roy 
Bed valance dating from early 1700s in the Italian Print Room at Blickling Hall Amit Roy 
Indian inspired fabric draped on sofas in the South Drawing Room in Blickling Hall Amit Roy 
Indian inspired fabric draped on sofas in the South Drawing Room with Indian carpet in Blickling Hall Amit Roy 
Karun Thakar has picked out the geometric patterns in the bookcase and the Kente cloth in the Long Gallery in Blickling Hall Amit Roy 
Large tapestry depicting Peter the Great defeating the Swedish army at the Battle of Poltava in 1709 Amit Roy 
ikat robes and arabachi coats in the Peter the Great Room in Blickling Hall Amit Roy 
Baghs and kanthas made by women provide contrast to the men only portraits in the Great Hall at Blickling Hall Amit Roy 
Baghs and kanthas in the entrance Great Hall at Blickling Hall Amit Roy
Baghs and Kanthas in the Great Hall in harmony with stained glass window at Blickling Hall Amit Roy 
Kimonos reflect Japanese influence in Upper Ante Room in Blickling Hall Amit Roy 
Kimono in Upper Ante Room in Blickling Hall 
A view of the Palace and fort at Agra shows romantic side of India Amit Roy 
Blickling Hall Amit Roy 
Table carpet, European 1670-1680 Amit Roy 
Unfinished 17th century Italian embroidery in the Print Room at Blickling Hall Amit Roy 
Picture of Kashmir shows a romantic view of India Amit Roy 
A panel of Ashburnham bed hangings made in Gujarat for sale in Europe in the Brown Room in Blickling Hall Amit Roy 
Colcha made in the 1600s by women in Bengal for the Portuguese market in the Long Gallery at Blickling Hall Amit Roy
