Johannesburg, Feb 4 (IANS) Marking a historic milestone for the Hindu community in South Africa, the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir and Cultural Complex in Johannesburg was recently inaugurated.

The festivities began on Saturday with a grand Nagar Yatra (Procession) in Sandton, where the sacred murtis (idols) were ceremoniously carried through the streets, signifying the divine presence of God and the Guru. The vibrant parade, filled with joyous singing, dancing, and Vedic recitals, brought together devotees and well-wishers in a celebration of spirituality and unity.

On Sunday, these very murtis were ritually enshrined in the temple during the sacred Pran Pratistha ceremony, infusing the mandir (temple) with spiritual divinity and marking the culmination of a vision decades in the making.

This new mandir joins a growing network of 35 BAPS mandirs across Africa, including seven in South Africa. Today, BAPS has a global presence with over 1,300 mandirs built across various countries, serving as centers for spirituality, cultural preservation, and community service.

As the sacred murtis were consecrated in the Pran Pratistha ceremony, thousands of devotees witnessed the realisation of a spiritual journey that began over six decades ago.

What started as Yogiji Maharaj's blessing in 1960 has now materialised into a timeless sanctuary of faith, culture, and service.

The Johannesburg Mandir is not just a milestone -- it is a living testament to the enduring vision of BAPS' spiritual leaders and the unwavering devotion of its followers.

The journey of BAPS in South Africa dates back to March 20, 1960, when Yogiji Maharaj, the fourth spiritual successor in the BAPS Swaminarayan tradition, stood on the banks of the Limpopo River alongside Pramukh Swami Maharaj and Mahant Swami Maharaj.

As he gazed across the river into South Africa, he envisioned a time of racial harmony, economic stability, and spiritual growth for the country.

He also prayed for the flourishing of BAPS Satsang centres -- a vision that has now come to fruition.

In the decades that followed, his successor, Pramukh Swami Maharaj, visited South Africa seven times between 1974 and 2004, strengthening the spiritual foundation of the community and inspiring the establishment of mandirs across the nation.

Today, Mahant Swami Maharaj, the current spiritual leader of BAPS, has overseen the fulfillment of this vision with the completion of the Johannesburg BAPS Mandir and Cultural Complex.

BAPS has created some of the world’s most iconic Hindu temples, which serve as beacons of peace, spirituality, and cultural heritage.

The Akshardham Temple in Delhi, the BAPS Hindu Temple in Abu Dhabi, the BAPS Hindu Temple in London, and the Akshardham Temple in New Jersey, US, are inspiring millions of people around the world to live meaningful and value-based lives.

These mandirs are not just architectural marvels but also mediums for establishing happiness and peace within everyone's life.