Historical Significance
Dholka is believed to be as ancient as the city of Dwarika established by Bhagwan Krishna. Dholka is noted to be the city of Virat as mentioned in the Mahabharat. It was here that the Pandavas spent their final year of exile in secrecy.

Bhagwan Swaminarayan, Gunatitanand Swami and paramhansas had sanctified the land of Dholka. Pramukh Swami Maharaj has visited Dholka several times. The newly built shikharbaddh Swaminarayan mandir is on a prime location near the Kheda-Bagodara highway. The land and the five-shikhar mandir was entirely sponsored by Shri Balkrishnabhai Patel (USA). His first request to Swamishri to create a mandir in his hometown of Dholka was made in 1977. With the fluorishment of Satsang through the years, the need for a mandir arose and within a couple of years the mandir was ready.

On 24 November 2001, a yagna was held and from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm and a magnificent procession was carried out on the streets of Dholka.

On Sunday morning, 25 November 2001, Swamishri performed the murti pratishtha ceremony of Akshar Purushottam Maharaj, Ghanshyam Maharaj, Harikrishna Maharaj, Radha Krishna Dev, Sita Ram and Hanumanji, Shiv-Parvatiji and Ganpatiji, amidst the vedic chanting of mantras. The main patrons of the mandir - Shri Balkrishnabhai Patel and his two sons, Pankaj and Hiren and other relatives - were also engaged in the mandir pratishtha rituals. Swamishri finally performed the murti pratishtha arti. Thereafter, during an assembly local leaders and dignitaries graced the occasion and extolled the glory of BAPS activities and Pramukh Swami Maharaj. A beautiful dance with reference to the mandir inauguration was performed by local children and teenagers. Finally, Swamishri blessed the assembly praising the glory of Dholka and its sanctification by the holy feet of Shriji Maharaj.

The inauguration of the Swaminarayan Mandir, Dholka, marked Swamishri's 15th shikharbaddh mandir inauguration.