The groundbreaking ceremony to commence the construction of the new mandir in Lisbon, Portugal was conducted on Monday 19 September 2011. Presiding over the ceremonies were senior sadhus Ishwarcharan Swami and Anandswarup Swami from India.

The new mandir is planned to be completed in 2012 and will support the growing congregation and activities of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha in Portugal. Ashwin Chhagan, lead BAPS coordinator of the existing centre, explained, “This is a significant and auspicious occasion for Lisbon. The activities and visitors have expanded and we’re looking forward to be better able to serve the community through the new mandir.”

The event marked the beginning of a new and exciting era for a community that has been worshipping in a makeshift temple and people’s homes in and around Lisbon since the 1980s.