New Delhi. The Hindu temples of BAPS located in many countries of the world including India are pursuing Swaminarayan tradition and global Hindu identity and eternal culture today. BAPS temples are not just temples as a reflection of faith beyond borders, these are excellent symbols of faith, compassion and cultural pride. Stones were carved on stones but with lively expressions, they thread humanity into a formula through service, harmony and eternal Indian values. This temple does not stand as a building in various continents, they speak, they inspire them, they change heart and uplift society. When you roam in Delhi, the grand Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple attracts your attention. A cool giantness amid the city’s stir. As soon as I get off the train at Mumbai’s busy Dadar station, the dignified presence of the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple welcomes you in the dynamics of the city. Whether you are roaming in the prestigious streets of London, facing the winter of Toronto, indulging in the grandeur of Abu Dhabi, or immersed in multicultural diversity of New Jersey, BAPS Swaminarayan Temple stands everywhere as a symbol of a spiritual and cultural heritage. As Raymond Williams has said, the Swaminarayan sect is the ‘new face of Hinduism’. These temples are not only architectural miracles, but have become the lights of faith, celebration and community by incorporating from common devotees to world leaders in their calm environment.
Many special people around the world have visited BAPS Swaminarayan temples
On 21 April 2025, while visiting the grand Swaminarayan Akshardham in New Delhi, US Vice President JD Vance started his first official visit to India with a symbolic and intimate stage. The Vice President, his wife and his children drowned in a rich heritage of Indian art, architecture and spirituality. Seeing the complex carvings and timeless beauty of the temple, he praised, “It is a great credit for India that you built this temple with so much beauty and careful. Our children especially liked it. The journey was not just a diplomatic sign, but a true appreciation of India’s cultural grandeur.
Swaminarayan Akshardham remains an inspiration for cultural and spiritual representation for global dignitaries. On 18 March 2025, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon traveled to this prestigious temple during his first official visit to India, which was an important cultural connection in his program. The architecture of the Prime Minister Lakson Temple, who came with a delegation of 110 members, including senior government officials, ministers and community leaders, was deeply impressed by the grandeur and spiritual dignity of the Prime Minister Lakson Temple. Considering his journey, he shared, “It is very special to be in Akshardham here. Watching this grand temple and the amazing work that has been done is really inspiring.” He further said, thanks to this amazing place of peace and learning, which reflects the spirit of his experience and the deep impression of Hindu culture. For Indian and Hindu migrant communities spread worldwide, BAPS Swaminarayan Temple serves as the main center of maintaining and expressing their trust. Accepting the huge contribution of the Indian community, global leaders visit these temples, which symbolizes respect and appreciation.
Recently celebrating spirituality and community, BAPS Swaminarayan Satsang Mandali in Sydney warmly welcomed Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on 15 March 2025. This meeting was also proud of the presence of Param Pujya Mahant Swami Maharaj, the spiritual leader of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha. Prime Minister Albanese, praising the progress of the construction of the temple, called it a “grand construction process”. Considering that moment, he said, “One of the biggest happiness of being the Prime Minister of this great country is that I can come to such programs and see the amazing devotion of those communities who have given so much to our country.”
Toronto’s BAPS Swaminarayan Temple has become a dynamic center of community and cultural activities. In April 2025, the temple had the privilege of hosting two prominent Canadian leaders. On 5 April, on the auspicious occasion of Ram Navami, Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney visited the temple and accepted its spiritual and cultural ideals. A few days later, on 18 April, the official leader of the opposition Pierre Pogelever also traveled to the temple, where he prayed to Lord Swaminarayan and warned the members of the Hindu community warmly, underlined the role of promoting the inclusion and dialogue of the temple.
During his spiritual journey to South Africa earlier this year, Param Pujya Mahant Swami Maharaj inaugurated the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Hindu Temple and Cultural Complex in Johannesburg. Mahant Swami Maharaj and Vice President of South Africa Paul Mashatil in the welcome speech of the temple said, “This temple will not only be the place of worship, but will be a shelter of peace, knowledge and spiritual prosperity for people of all backgrounds.” The principles of religion, service and unity played by BAPS actually correspond to our national ideals.
The BAPS Hindu Temple of Abu Dhabi, the global symbol of the bridge among the civilizations, has become a light of a harmony. Honoring the principles of Indian culture and civilization, this temple was inaugurated a year ago in 2024 by Param Pujya Mahant Swami Maharaj and Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi. This temple is a proof of the global reach, love and acceptance of Hinduism. BAPS Hindu Temple, Abu Dhabi is now becoming an essential site in the UAE travel list. When former President of India Ramnath Kovind reached there on 21 April 2025, he called this temple “essence of all temples” – which was a deep tribute to its spiritual and architectural grandeur and cultural heritage. Established in the nineteenth century by Lord Swaminarayan, the Swaminarayan tradition today has become the heart and new face of global Hinduism, which promotes unity and harmony around the world.
