- Bhagwan Swaminarayan

Every religion in its own tradition builds houses of worship. It is the mandir that fuels our faith in God, strengthens our society and teaches us to trust one another and to become trustworthy. A Mandir is a center for learning about man, nature and God. It is where ethics and values are reinforced. It is where people celebrate festivals and seek shelter in sad times. It is where talents in various arts - music, literature and sculpture, etc. - are offered in the service of God. Within every Mandir, resides Murtis. The Murti is the soul of the Mandir. Within it, God will be asked to manifest and accept the devotion of worshippers. Thus it is the most sacred part of all Mandir. The Mandir that is being built in Chino Hills will have such Murtis. It will be a place for everyone to go for worship which means to see with reverence and devotion.


Shri Akshar Purushottam Maharaj

Bhagwan Swaminarayan (left) established the Swaminarayan Sampraday and re-established the correct mode of worship by promoting personal morality and molding spiritual character. He promised to remain ever present on this earth through a spiritual succession of Gurus infused with complete spiritual authority and integrity.

Aksharbrahma Gunatitanand Swami (right) is the first spiritual successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. He lived as an ideal sadhu, the incarnation of Aksharbrahman, Gods divine adobe.

 

Shri Ghanshyam Maharaj

Another name for Bhagwan Swaminarayan, who was known as Ghanshyam in his childhood. Ghanshyam rencounced home at the age of eleven to embark on a seven year spiritual pilgrimage on foot across the length and breath of India.

Shri Harikrishna Maharaj and Shri Radha-Krishna Dev

Harikrishna Maharaj (left) is another name for Bhagwan Swaminarayan. This murti is made from five pure metals: gold, silver, copper, iron and lead. As this mandir is dedicated to Bhagwan Swaminarayan, His murtis have been consecrated in various shrines under different names.

Shri Krishna (center) is the incarnation of Vishnu who graced the world about 5,000 years ago. Krishna is the embodiment of love and divine joy, that destroys all pain and sin. Beside him stands Radha (right). Radha is Shri Krisha's closest devotee, who symbolises unflinching love, total dedication and acceptance of the divine Will and virtues of an ideal devotee.

Shri Shiv-Parvati and Shri Ganeshji

Brahma is the creator, Vishnu is the the Sustainer and Shiva (left) would be the Destroyer. Shiva’s trident represents the three worlds: celestial, earthly and infernal. Next to him stands Parvati, the female power of Shiv, represented as his inseparable consort.

Shri Sita-Ram and Shri Hanumanji

Shri Ram is the divine hero of the Ramayan. His life teaches truth, justice, valour, compassion and other virtues of the ideal ruler, citizen and husband. Sita, queen and devotee of Shri Ram, teaches fidelity, true love, ‘motherliness’, faith and other virtues of an ideal wife and devotee.

BAPS Guru Parampara

Bhagwan Swaminarayan said that he would continue to be present on this earth through a succession of spiritual Gurus. He entrusted Gunatitanand Swami, His Enlightened Sadhu, with the oars of the Sampraday.

"Gunatitanand and I are no different." "Just as people follow me, people shall follow Gunatitanand."

Such revelations and predictions of Bhagwan were truly and fully realized as Gunatitanand Swami led the faith. Since then, the spiritual succession has continued in all its divinity through Bhagatji Maharaj, Shastriji Maharaj, Yogiji Maharaj and, at present, Pramukh Swami Maharaj.