The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Beltsville, Maryland, marked its 25th anniversary with a weekend of celebrations that brought together thousands of devotees, community leaders, and well-wishers from across the DMV region.

The festivities opened with a Kirtan Aradhana, a devotional program of music and prayer, as well as a cultural program featuring traditional performances and reflections on the Mandir’s spiritual and community impact over the past quarter century.

The weekend also included sacred rituals central to the observance. Hundreds of families participated in a Parivarik Ekta Mahapuja, a special prayer for harmony and unity. A Patotsav ceremony, marking the anniversary of the inauguration of the murtis (sacred images), featured the adorning of the deities, the offering of an Annakut (a mountain of delicacies), and the performance of arti to reaffirm the divine presence.

According to BAPS, the milestone celebration was the culmination of months of volunteer efforts and served as a moment for devotees to reflect on the Mandir’s role since its inauguration in 2000. Beyond serving as a house of worship, the Mandir has become a hub for spiritual guidance, cultural celebration, and community support.

“It’s an amazing institution in our community. It’s a center, not just of religious worship, but also of community service, and that’s why it was important for me to be here,” said U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin. “It’s a tough time in America, and communities of faith that are very strong, like this one, have a real role to play in terms of bringing the country together and reminding us of the things that bind us as Americans rather than the things that divide us and polarize us.”

Over the past 25 years, the Mandir has played a central role in the Baltimore-Washington region by fostering youth development, interfaith dialogue, and civic engagement. Through BAPS Charities, volunteers have led school supply drives, health fairs, food and blood donation drives, awareness lectures, and annual walkathons supporting causes such as education, cancer research, and environmental preservation.

In addition, the Mandir has welcomed people of all backgrounds by hosting interfaith gatherings, school field trips, and youth programs that encourage civic participation and cultural understanding.

For many devotees, the silver jubilee was not only a celebration of the Mandir’s past but also an expression of gratitude for the faith it has nurtured, the community it has strengthened, and the values it continues to inspire in future generations. The weekend concluded with a women’s celebration honoring the devotion and contributions of women within the Mandir community.

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