(The Blog is reverently for all the seekers of truth, lovers of wisdom and to share the Hindu Dharma with others on the spiritual path and also this is purely a non-commercial blog)

Holy Pilgrimage - Hindu temples in United Kingdom

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Birmingham, UK

Birmingham
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir
75 Pitmaston Road
Birmingham B28 9PP
Tel: (44-121) 733 7903
Fax: (44-121) 744 2959
E-mail: baps_birmingham@mandir.org

Murti Pratishtha
The Murti Pratistha Ceremony was performed by HDH Pramukh Swami Maharaj on Sun 23 Sept 1990 [Aso Sud 4, VS 2046] in the presence of around 2000 devotees.

Many ask, "How can you mix spirituality and social service?"
We ask, "How can you separate the two?"

About BAPS

Those who wish to sincerely serve society must be spiritually pure and only those who are spiritually pure can sincerely serve society!
Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) is a socio-spiritual Hindu organization with its roots in the Vedas. It was revealed by Bhagwan Swaminarayan (1781-1830) in the late 18th century and established in 1907 by Shastriji Maharaj (1865-1951). Founded on the pillars of practical spirituality, the BAPS reaches out far and wide to address the spiritual, moral and social challenges and issues we face in our world. Its strength lies in the purity of its nature and purpose. BAPS strives to care for the world by caring for societies, families and individuals. Its universal work through a worldwide network of over 3,850 centers has received many national and international awards and affiliation with the United Nations. Today, a million or more Swaminarayan followers begin their day with puja and meditation, lead upright, honest lives and donate regular hours in serving others. No Alcohol, No Addictions, No Adultery, No Meat, No Impurity of body and mind are their five lifetime vows. Such pure morality and spirituality forms the foundation of the humanitarian services performed by BAPS.
The BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha strives to better society through individual development by instilling values, promoting spirituality, cultivating skills, and nurturing growth. We aim to preserve Indian culture and the Hindu ideals of faith, unity, and selfless service in diverse communities around the world. We envision a society whose joy lies in the joy of others.
Based on the teachings of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and under the leadership of Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha promotes harmony amongst individuals, families, and diverse communities. Understanding that the synergy created from development at the individual level leads to greater societal growth, the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha provides for the spiritual, cultural, physical, and emotional needs of people from all walks of life.
With over 880 sadhus and 55,000 volunteers, the organization helps 3,850 communities around the world through its various humanitarian services and grassroots initiatives.
Through these efforts, the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha sustains the universal value of Hindu culture—encouraging devotion to God by imbibing such faith in all aspects of life.
Basic Beliefs

The core philosophical principles, disciplines, and practices which identify the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha and its followers are rooted in ancient Hindu scripture, the Vedas. This solid foundation resonates with millions of people around the world:

We are the atma and are not this body. This atmagnan is essential for a spiritual aspirant to reach Paramatma.
Spiritual aspirants should not consume addictive substances nor should they eat onion, garlic, and other tamasic foods. A vegetarian diet (no meat, no eggs, no poultry, and no seafood) should be followed. One should not steal. One should not commit adultery.
Bhagwan Swaminarayan is always present on Earth through the gunatit guru.
Selflessly serving God, the gunatit guru, and the community is the only way to rid one’s self of base desires and faults.
One can only attain moksha by pleasing the gunatit guru and eradicating inner vices (anger, lust, greed, envy, and attachment) by imbibing ekantik dharma.

Morality is a component of spirituality. The BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha encourages a lifestyle rooted in spirituality and purity. Followers of the Swaminarayan faith lead a life of non-violence, service, and devotion to God. Pramukh Swami Maharaj emphasizes the importance of living honestly, working ethically, and giving back generously to the community. These values thus lend to a strong spiritual foundation for devotees. Bhagwan Swaminarayan enunciated key moral disciplines for sadhus and householders.
For Householders:
• Live an addiction-free life; Do not partake in drugs, alcohol, and tobacco.
• Consume a strict vegetarian diet free from tamasic foods, such as onion and garlic.
• Refrain from stealing, violence, slander, and fraud.
• Live a morally pure life free from adultery.
For Sadhus:
• Nishkam - Live a life free from lust; Follow the discipline of eight-fold celibacy.
• Nisneh - Live a life free from attachment; Offer complete servitude and love for God.
• Niswad - Live a life free from gluttony or vicarious taste; Relish only in the flavor of God’s splendor.
• Nirman - Live a life free from ego; Practice humility and selfless service.
• Nirlobh - Live a life free from greed; Satisfaction is only derived from attaining God.
As followers of a bhakti sampraday, devotees of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha express their faith in Bhagwan Swaminarayan through devotional rituals and practices. Devotees follow a set of daily and weekly practices.

Humanitarian Services

Seva, or selfless service to society, is a cornerstone of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha. Bhagwan Swaminarayan initiated this tradition of integrating service with spirituality in the late 18th century through a groundbreaking program of social work. Today, Pramukh Swami Maharaj continues this tradition through a wide range of humanitarian activities including: (1) health and wellness; (2) education; (3) environmental awareness; (4) community empowerment and (5) disaster relief. Together with its international and independent partner BAPS Charities, BAPS and its tens of thousands of volunteers continue to uphold this Spirit of Service, enriching their own lives and the lives of those they serve.
These practices reinforce Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s teachings to live a spiritually charged and morally pure life:
• Mansi
• Daily Puja
• Tilak Chandlo
• Dhyan
• Mala
• Panchang Pranam
• Darshan
• Dandvat Pranam
• Aarti
• Daily Satsang Reading
• Ghar Sabha
• Chesta
• Weekly Satsang Sabha

Hindu Beliefs

Hindu Sanatan Dharma is often known as a democratic religion. The Vedas say that there are many paths to the same destination: moksha. That is why Hindu Sanãtan Dharma embraces a great diversity of beliefs about God or Bhagwan, the universe, and the path to moksha. Though followers of Hindu Sanãtan Dharma may seem to be following different paths to Bhagwan, the core beliefs are the same. These core beliefs form the essence of Hindu Sanãtan Dharma and have been practiced since the beginning of time. All Hindus believe in the revealed scripture (the Vedas) and one Supreme God. All paths lead to a common goal of salvation, of the soul's freedom from a temporal body. Hindus also believe in the sacredness of life, compassion, service, reincarnation, and the laws of karma and dharma. Most Hindus build mandirs which are dedicated to the Supreme and believe that a true guru is needed on the path to moksha.

The sound philosophical base of the Swaminarayan Sampraday, and particularly the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, is grounded in the Aksharbrahma-Parabrahma philosophy derived from the Vedas and revealed by Bhagwan Swaminarayan. This philosophy teaches aspirants to worship Paramatma and to realize their true form to be the atma and not simply the body. The attainment of ekantik dharma is at the heart of the practical application of this philosophy in the life of a spiritual aspirant. Bhagwan Swaminarayan taught His followers that the path to moksha, or liberation, is a comprehensive approach combining dharma, bhakti, gnan, and vairagya. This philosophical understanding is maintained with the continued presence of Aksharbrahma in the form of the gunatit guru. Today, Pramukh Swami Maharaj offers spiritual guidance on the path to becoming brahmarup to millions of people by leading a life of utmost discipline and adherence to the the Aksharbrahma-Parabrahma philosophy.

Activities

BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha is a registered and reputed Charitable Trust in India, and an NGO in Consultative Status with the EcoSoC of the United Nations. It has won many awards and honorable mentions for its activities, including International awards for Environmental activities and National awards for Child-upliftment and for Animal care.

Its spiritual activities are rooted in the Mandirs – centers of faith and devotion. Devotees come to the mandirs to pray and offer their devotional and voluntary services as well. Daily Arti and Thal, and weekly assemblies strengthen the devotees in their faith.
As part of its medical activities, BAPS runs charitable hospitals and clinics, diagnostic and donation camps, and mobile medical vans in rural areas. It also actively organizes anti-addiction drives against tobacco and alcohol abuse. Herbal medicines based on Ayurveda are offered through BAPS Herbal Care.
Education is another focus area, with many schools and hostels being managed by BAPS.
Pro-environmental actions such as tree planting, waste recycling and well recharging have been part of BAPS activities since its inception.
The BAPS Women’s Wing manages parallel community development activities targeted at women in different age groups, including vocational training and regular assemblies.
BAPS works for Community Development in each center where it has a presence. From cleaning up the city after floods like in Surat, to participating in local events like ‘Toronto Doors Open,’ BAPS actively engages the local community and works with it.
In natural and man-made calamities, BAPS has been active in providing Disaster Relief. It has been at the forefront of relief measures in India and abroad, since famines of the 1970s, after the earthquake in 1993 in Latur, Maharashtra and the one in 2001 in Kutchch, Gujarat, or the tsunami in 2004 and Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and floods in 2006 in India.
BAPS has been active in Rural areas in India, working at mitigating social, educational and economic disparities. Medical and educational services form the bulwark of BAPS’ rural activities. It also engages actively in awareness campaigns and common assemblies to remove addictions and superstitions.

· A special programme celebrating the bond between a mother and daughter was held on the weekend of 29-30 March 2014 at various BAPS mandirs and centres across the UK. Entitled ‘Matrudevo Bhava’, the occasion was planned by The Swaminarayan Sunday School and attended by more than 600 people.

· A small mahapuja was organised by children to mark the special day, accompanied with a programme to give the young daughters an opportunity to express their love and appreciation for their mothers in various heart-warming ways.

· Highlights of the programme in Leicester included eloquent speeches delivered by balikas, focusing on the qualities of a mother and finding those virtues in Pramukh Swami Maharaj. A vibrant dance by the young girls conveyed the support that a mother provides to her daughter.

· In London, an enlightening drama performed by the mothers based on the daily life with their daughters portrayed different scenarios that occur during a typical day. The finale here was a colourful dance performed by the mothers.

· Decorative cupcakes with messages written by the daughters for their mothers were wrapped as gifts as part of the event in Manchester. The main programme here consisted of a drama illustrating ideal examples of family harmony, sharing strong messages about family unity, understanding and valuing all members of the household. Three balikas also read touching poems highlighting the sacrifices that parents make for their children.

· Energetic mother and daughter challenges were the highlight of the event in South East London, including an obstacle course and a competition to make chapattis.

· Similar events were also held in Birmingham, Luton and various other centres in London.

· The touching and affectionate activities ensured everyone thoroughly enjoyed the celebrations. Furthermore, many families expressed how this event helped them to realise the importance that other family members play in their lives, and the need to appreciate and celebrate this regularly.

· Energetic mother and daughter challenges were the highlight of the event in South East London, including an obstacle course and a competition to make chapattis.

· Similar events were also held in Birmingham, Luton and various other centres in London.

Driving Directions

From London
Take the M40, heading northwest towards Birmingham until you see a sign for the M42 Solihull. Take the M42. Exit at Junction 4, signposted Shirley A34 (will be the first junction you come to). Take the first exit onto the A34 Stratford Road. (Note, there is a Business Park entrance which is adjacent to the Pass through a roundabout (Landmark - Tesco), and traffic lights (LM - The Plough Public house). At next roundabout, take 1st exit straight (LM - Prologis). Take the 2nd exit straight at next roundabout (LM - BMW). At next roundabout take 2nd exit straight (Land Rover), and 1st exit straight at the next roundabout (Sainsbury). You pass straight through a number of lights. You will pass Office World and Shirley Shopping Parade. At the large cross-roads junction with Haslucks Green Road, go straight. You will pass a Tesco on your right. At the next roundabout, Robin Hood Island, take the fifth exit right on to Solihull Lane. Pitmaston Road is the first left off Solihull Lane. The BAPS Birmingham site is on your right hand side approx. 200 yards next to Robin Hood Junior School.
Alternatively From London
Take the M1 northbound until you come to junction 19, signposted M6 Birmingham. Get onto the M6, and follow it north until you come to junction 4, signposted M42 NEC. On M42, head south for two junctions. Exit at Junction 4, signposted Shirley A34, A3400 Henley. The slip road divides into many lanes. Enter and follow A34 around the roundabout, taking third exit. (There is a Business Park entrance which is adjacent to the A34). This is the A34 Stratford Road. Pass through a roundabout (Landmark - Tesco), and traffic lights (LM - The Plough Public house). At next roundabout, take 1st exit straight (LM - Prologis). Take the 2nd exit straight at next roundabout (LM - BMW). At next roundabout take 2nd exit straight (Land Rover), and 1st exit straight at the next roundabout (Sainsbury). You pass straight through a number of lights. You will pass Office World and Shirley Shopping Parade. At the large cross-roads junction with Haslucks Green Road, go straight. You will pass a Tesco on your right. At the next roundabout, Robin Hood Island, take the fifth exit right onto Solihull Lane. Pitmaston Road is the first left off Solihull Lane. The BAPS Birmingham site is on your right hand side approx. 200 yards next to Robin Hood Junior School.
From Birmingham Airport
Exit the Airport towards the M42/A45 Junction (Jct. 6). Take the M42 southbound towards Solihull (also signed London M40, M5 etc). Head south for two junctions. Take the exit at Junction 4, signed A3400 Henley, A34 Shirley. The slip road divides into many lanes. Enter and follow A34 around the roundabout, taking third exit. (There is a Business Park entrance which adjacent to the A34). This is the A34 Stratford Road. Pass through a roundabout (Landmark - Tesco), and traffic lights (LM - The Plough Public house). At next roundabout, take 1st exit straight (LM - Prologis). Take the 2nd exit straight at next roundabout (LM - BMW). At next roundabout take 2nd exit straight (Land Rover), and 1st exit straight at the next roundabout (Sainsbury). You pass straight through a number of lights. You will pass Office World and Shirley Shopping Parade. At the large cross-roads junction with Haslucks Green Road, go straight. You will pass a Tesco on your right. At the next roundabout, Robin Hood Island, take the fifth exit right on to Solihull Lane. Pitmaston Road is the first left off Solihull Lane. The BAPS Birmingham site is on your right hand side approx. 200 yards next to Robin Hood Junior School.
From City Centre
Head towards Solihull on the A34 Stratford Road for approximately 7 miles until you come to Robin Hood Island. Take the 2nd exit left on to Solihull Lane. Pitmaston Road is the first left off Solihull Lane. The BAPS Birmingham site is on your right hand side approx. 200 yards next to Robin Hood Junior School.
By Bus
You can reach the Mandir on the number 6 bus from Birmingham City Centre, and from Solihull Town Centre. Just ask the driver on any of the following Travel West Midlands buses to tell you when you reach ‘Robin Hood Island’. Buses in Birmingham do not give change so you will be required to pay in exact change. The maximum fare of an adult is £1.20 peak, £1.10 off-peak.

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir
75 Pitmaston Road
Hall Green Birmingham B28 9PP UK
Phone: (44-121) 733 7903

E-mail: info.birmingham@uk.baps.org

Om Tat Sat

(Continued...)

(My humble salutations to the great devotees and Pilgrimage tourist guide for the collection)

(The Blog is reverently for all the seekers of truth, lovers of wisdom and to share the Hindu Dharma with others on the spiritual path and also this is purely a non-commercial blog)

Hindu Vedic Philosophy (Holy Pilgrimage - Theertha Kshetra)