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Inauguration Ceremony of the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Chino Hills
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MANDIR MAHOTSAV
BAPS - SHRI SWAMI NARAYAN MANDIR
CHINO HILLS, CALIFORNIA
DECEMBER 21, 2012 - DECEMBER 23, 2012
Los Angeles, Dec. 26, 2012
V. Pawar/ Gary Singh/ Ramesh
After 5 years of dedication and thousands of hours of volunteer work, the BAPS - Shri Swami Narayan Mandir in Chino Hills, California, stood glittering under the sun as the much anticipated inauguration ceremony on December 23, 2012, at 8am in accordance with the Hindu Vedic rituals to infuse divinity into the sacred murtis inside this spectacular mandir, with the mind blowing architecture, and the ambiance which captured each and everyone's eyes.
This was a three day event extremely well organized, with attention to every detail in the construction, making each and every person that attended the event, feel at home and blessed.
NRIpress.com representative attended this event all three days for press release. Ms Vasu Pawar attended Women’s Conference on Dec. 22 and was honored with a Bouquet of flowers. Gary Singh made a coverage on Dec. 21 and Dec 23.
On Dec 21, the Nagar Yatra at Artesia:
It was a spectacular in the city of Artesia, and definitely one of its kind. It drew a lot of attention and admiration, with everyone beautifully dressed in the colorful traditional Indian Costumes and festooned in the traditional Indian jewelry.
On Saturday, December 22, a Women’s Conference & Yagna: Women’s Conference was organized and thousands ladies enjoyed this program. The Vishwa Shanti Mahayag also featured a grand yagna and prayers for world peace.
On Sunday, Dec 23, Mandir Inauguration Dignitaries present during the inauguration included Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami, politicians from LA surrounding counties - Councilwoman Cynthia Moran, Artesia Mayor Sally Flowers, Milipitas Mayor Pete McHugh, Stafford Mayor Leonard Scarcella, State Senator Bob Huff, Assemblyman Curt Hagman, Mayor Peter Rogers, Councilmember Art Bennett.
Mayor Peter Rogers said :
- The Mandir is a beautiful testament to the hard work of your congregation who has spent several years to build this place of worship
- The Mandir and Cultural Center will indeed be a place that Chino Hills can be proud of for so many, many generations
The city of Chino Hills, located about an hour and a half outside of Los Angeles in the Chino Valley of San Bernardino County. Chino Hills is named in list of top 100 cities for young people on Dec 12, 2012. More than 200 NRI families live in the City of Chino Hills.
Bhakti Shroff from San Jose, who is a guide to Indian (NRI) News Media told Gary Singh during the tour after Sunday morning ceremonies that the Mandir is situated on 20-acre land, designed to last 1,000 years, constructed from 35,000 pieces of meticulously hand carved Italian Carrara Marble, five pinnacles, two large domes, four balconies, 122 pillars and 129 archways, Indian Pink Sandstone, 91 foot lotus-shaped reflection pond, a Cultural Center, gymnasium and classrooms with 1.3 million man hours. All interior walls of Mandir are made from hand-carved Italian Carrara marble and exterior hand-carved with Indian pinkstone. solar power system was installed to generate electricity and Natural light is also used in the large assembly hall.
In 2010, the City of Chino Hills issued a building permit to allow BAPS to build its Mandir up to 40.9 feet. This building permit was issued in conjunction with the 2004 approval which allows BAPS to build its Mandir up to 42 feet. In July 2011, The BAPS received a nod of approval for a temple with 20 spires and domes ranging from 42 feet 8 inches to 78 feet high, each topped with a flagpole bearing a red and white pennant.
Success is determined by the size of your thinking, not so much by the size of your brain, or the size of your bank account, or the size of your happiness. One general satisfaction depends upon one's thinking.
Everyone participated in bringing success to this big project, men, women and children. There were cultural items presented to enhance the event. There were politicians, businessmen, and friends who were cordially invited and each and everyone one treated with dignity and love and satisfaction. On Dec. 22-23 at Mandir, free food was served to the attendees. This will remain the most memorable day for everyone.
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