With the blessings of HDH Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Antwerp was declared open on Friday 10 October 2003, the auspicious day of Sharad Purnima. The local devotees had toiled day and night to prepare the Mandir for the grand opening.

Pujya Atmaswarup Swami and sadhus from Neasden's Shri Swaminarayan Mandir performed the murti -pratishtha (image installation) ceremony, which commenced with Vedic mahapuja rituals with participants. After the pratishtha rituals of Akshar Purushottam Maharaj, Radha-Krishna Dev and the Guru Parampara, a beautiful annakut was offered to the deities.

This was followed by a special assembly to mark the occasion, in which Pramukh Swami Maharaj's blessings were read out. Over 400 devotees and well-wishers came for the opening. In the evening Sharad Punam festival assembly, some 250 devotees attended to listen to the devotional songs and discourses delivered by the sadhus.