Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Bolton

Shree Kutch Satsang Swaminarayan Temple - Bolton
Name
Proper name Shree Kutch Satsang Swaminarayan Temple - Bolton
Geography
Country England
Locale Greater Manchester
Culture
Primary deity Swaminarayan
History and governance
Date established 1973
Date built 1993

Shree Kutch Satsang Swaminarayan Temple (Bolton) is a three storied Swaminarayan Temple on Adelaide Street in Bolton, Greater Manchester.[1][2] It is the first Swaminarayan Temple to be established in the UK and Europe, officially opening in 1973. On 6 September 1973 a constitution was registered for the Temple under the Place of Woship Act, and on 6 September 1975 specially prepared murtis from Our head Temple in Bhuj were installed in the Temple. The original structure was demolished and rebuilt in 1993. Prior to the new building a labour club and terraced houses were present on the Temple site.[3]

Significant milestones at the Temple

In 1982 the temple was graced by the first visit of saints from Shree Swaminarayan Mandir - Bhuj. The Late Mahant Swami Shree Hariswarupdasji along with Sadguru Swami Shree Murlimanohardasji and 3 others visited at this time. During this year the Gujarati school was established.

Between 1982 and 1988, it became apparent that the current building was too small to accommodate the number of devotees as the original building was not purpose built for the community or for use as a Temple specifically. In 1988 Sadguru Shree Murlimanohardasji Swami visited the Bolton Temple and gave his blessings for a new Temple to be built. Plans for the new building were drawn up at this time.

In early 1992 construction of the new Temple building had commenced. The building was visited by His Holiness 1008 Shree Tejendraprasadji Maharaj and by son, Lalji Maharaj, His Holiness 108 Shree Koshelendraprasadji Maharaj. The building work of the temple could not have been completed without the support and assistance of devotees from around the country who gave up their time to assist in the construction work.

The official opening of the new temple took place on 6 September 1993, on this day the Murti Pratishta took place. The event was graced by His Holiness 1008 Shree Tejendraprasadji Maharaj, Late Mahant Swami Shree Hariswarupdasji, Late Sadguru Swami Shree Dharmakishordasji, Late Sadguru Swami Shree Ghanshyamjivandasji and Late Sadguru Swami Shree Madhavpriyadasji and many other Swami's from the Shree NarNarayan Desh - Bhuj and Ahmedabad Temples. As part of the opening celebrations a colourful parade took place thorough the main streets of Bolton leading to the Temple.

35th Anniversary

As part of the 35th anniversary celebrations the temple teamed up with the Big Bolton Health Check, a campaign that aimed to reduce heart attacks and disease in Bolton.[4] The temple comes under the NarNarayan Dev Gadi of the Swaminarayan Sampraday.[3]

40th Anniversary

Prior to the 40th anniversary celebrations significant renovation and refurbishment works took place at the temple in preparation for the buildup to September

The anniversary week saw a number of events take place including a large scale yagna, bhajan show and a parade through Bolton which was attended by over 2,500 people including visitors from Kenya and Australia. The Mayor and Mayoress of Bolton were in attendance for parts of the celebration.[5][6]

Activities

Various activities take place at the temple on a regular basis, including:

Facilities

The temple building is a three story structure used for various purposes. At basement level the building has a large dining and kitchen area. On the ground floor a multi-purpose hall is used for wedding functions and other social occasions. The first floor is the main temple area, which is used for prayers on a daily basis.

References

  1. ↑ Robert Jackson, Eleanor M. Nesbitt (1993). Hindu children in Britain. Trentham. Retrieved January 20, 2011. Page 151
  2. ↑ Raymond Brady Williams (2001). Introduction to Swaminarayan Hinduism. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-65422-X. Retrieved January 20, 2011. Page 222
  3. 1 2 "Shree K. S. Swaminarayan Temple Bolton".
  4. ↑ "Health check at temple". The Bolton News. 2008-09-09. Retrieved 2011-01-20.
  5. ↑ "Bolton News".
  6. ↑ "Bolton News".

Coordinates: 53°33′54″N 2°26′46″W / 53.5651°N 2.4461°W / 53.5651; -2.4461


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