Raj Sadosh/Panchkula/Abohar.

The historic foundation stone laying ceremony of the grand Swaminarayan Temple was held at Sector-10 in Panchkula, the hub of Tricity (Chandigarh-Mohali-Panchkula). Amidst the recitation of Veda mantras, BAPS international director Pujya Ishwar Charan Swamiji laid the foundation stone.

Since morning, there was a rush of devotees at the Shri Swaminarayan Temple site in Sector-10 near Sood Bhawan. People were curious as to what would be the form of the temple under construction by BAPS which has built hundreds of temples in the world like the grand Hindu temple of Abu Dhabi, Robbinsville (USA) and huge Akshardham of Delhi,

The echo of Veda mantras on the construction site was attracting devotees from far away. The scholars of Sarangpur (Gujarat) started the Vedic Mahapuja ritual in the morning. In the presence of senior saints and devotees, revered Ishwarcharan Swami ji led the foundation stone ceremony as per Vedic rituals. Munivatsal Swami, in-charge of Akshardham Temple, Delhi, said that Panchkula city is receiving the gift of a new temple from the world-famous Swaminarayan Akshardham Delhi.

Dharmavatsal Swami ji said that in this complex, the dream of a characterful society will be realized through various service activities.

Pujya Ishwarcharan Swamiji said that due to the divine grace of Shri Swaminarayan Bhagwan and the blessings of Brahmaswarup Pramukh Swamiji Maharaj and the inspiration of Pragat Brahmaswarup Mahant Swamiji Maharaj, a new Swaminarayan (Akshardham) temple is going to be constructed in Panchkula.

Jaitirath Swami ji, the facilitator of the program, said that the temple is such a holy pilgrimage, from where the inspiration of family feelings like devotion, service, character, love, communication, friendship and harmony keeps flowing continuously.