11 August 2001, Saturday, Miami, FL: Inauguration of new Mandir
The grand opening of the first Hindu Mandir in Palm Beach County was held in Boynton Beach. The occasion was graced by Pujya Shantmurti Swami and Pujya Amrutnandan Swami. As the mandir will make a big difference in the nurturing of Hindu values in the generations to come, children were given the honor to open the Mandir by releasing balloons and untying ribbons at the Mandir’s two entrances. The Mandir is graced by beautiful white marble murtis of Shri Akshar Purushottam Maharaj , Shri Radha Krishna, Hanumanji and Ganpatiji along with the Guru Parampara, all set in a carved “Sinhasan”. Pramukh Swami Maharaj, in his tour of USA in 2000, had consecrated these murtis with Vedic rituals.
Bhajans and spiritual discourses were the main features of the Satsang Sabha that followed the opening. Saints explained the importance of a Mandir in our lives and how the Mandir could help us conserve the Hindu culture and family values. The Vice Mayor of City of Boynton Beach presented a proclamation declaring the inauguration of the Mandir and applauding BAPS organization for this auspicious occasion.
On the next day, Sunday, August 12, Krishna Janmashtami - Lord Krishna’s birth was celebrated with great fanfare and fervor.