November 28, 2004
Savannah, GA is a
historical town on Atlantic coast of Georgia famous for its
oceanfront, seaports and naval base around. It is a prime
tourist and transit town located on I-95, the main interstate
of USA that stretches from Montreal Canada to Miami and Key
West Florida. Savannah has been an active Satsang center with
many devotees and well wishers around.
On November 28,
2004 the dream of the devotees and the community came true.
On this auspicious day, the inauguration and Murti Pratishtha
of the 9th Mandir in Southeast region of North America was
dedicated to all by BAPS and Pramukh Swami Maharaj. It was
an event not only for East Georgians, but also for the devotees
and well-wishers from entire southeast region. The entire
Murti Pratishtha event was a 2-day event. On Saturday November
27, 2004 a grand Kirtan Aradhana was held in the Mandir hall.
Devotees listened to the melodious kirtans from the BAPS
youths. Very next day, November 28, 2004 the Vedic Mahapuja
for the Pratishtha started at 9AM in presence of P. Yagnavallabh
Swami and 5 saints from southeast and northeast regions of
BAPS. The Pratishtha ceremony took place after the Mahapuja
and a beautiful annakut of 250 items prepared by the ladies
wing of Savannah was offered to the deities of Bhagwan Swaminarayan,
Aksharbrahm Gunatitanand Swami, Shri Radhaji, Shri Krishna,
Guruparampara, Shri Shiv-Parvati-Ganpatiji and Shri Sita-Ram-Hanumanji.
Post Pratishtha assembly was held where, the Saints, and BAPS
Southeast Board of directors shared the history of Savannah
Satsang with all. Video presentation was shown of Pramukh
Swami Maharaj doing Murti Pratishtha vidhi of the deities
in Orlando in July 2004 followed by his blessings. Many local
and state dignitaries attended the ceremony. Noteworthy were
State representative from Chatham county Ms. Regina White,
Savannah city Mayor Pete Liakakis and fire marshal Leslie
Meadows and other council members. P. Yagnavallabh Swami honored
them in the assembly.
Truly a remarkable
event that will be remembered by all devotees and
well wishers that attended the event.
Photogallery
