The foundations of BAPS satsang in Africa began in 1927 due to the inspiration of Brahmaswarup Shastriji Maharaj and the sincere efforts of many dedicated devotees. Swaminarayan Satsang Mandir was the first ever mandir to be built outside India in 1945 and represented the growth of satsang in Africa. The painted murtis of Bhagwan Swaminarayan, Aksharbrahman Gunatitanand Swami and Gopalanand Swami were sanctified by Pujya Shastriji Maharaj in India and were installed with great fanfare in Nairobi.
In 1970, Yogiji Maharaj inaugurated the Hari Mandir in the affluent are of Ngara Road. At that time, he prophesied that a magnificent and larger mandir will be built in Nairobi. But for 24 years, the country’s political and social instability led many to think that the prophecy was still a distant dream. On the one hand many Indian families were emigrating to other countries and on the other hand, there was worsening of the financial situation. Combined, these factors pushed the words of Yogiji Maharaj to back of the devotee’s memory.
Then on 23-9-94, during Swamishri’s stay in Nairobi, some of the youth devotees approached Swamishri and requested him to give the go ahead to build a new, larger mandir. Instantly, Swamishri accepted the proposal. The very next day, on 24-9-94, Swamishri visited the land for the mandir and showered sanctified flower petals upon it. He prayed that a magnificent mandir be built there.
Thus the project was launched. A variety of opinions were formulated and presented to Swamishri. Swamishri suggested that the mandir should incorporate traditional Hindu mandir features such as shikhars, sthambhs and ghummats. Meanwhile, on behalf of Swamishri, Param Pujya Mahant Swami went to Nairobi to perform the ground-breaking ceremony. During this ceremony, Param Pujya Mahant Swami placed the bricks, which had been ceremoniously sanctified by Swamishri in India, into the foundation, together with consecrated water from the Ganga, Narmada, Sabarmati, Gondali, Ghela, Nile, Lake Victoria and the Indian ocean. Also coins in current circulation from 151 countries were laid in the foundations, together with sanctified soil from the sacred birthplace of Shriji Maharaj in Chhapaiya.
After 1 million man-hours, Swamishri dedicated the mandir on 29th August, 1999. Mandir Mahotsav was indeed a festival of joy and divinity. Yagna, historic procession and Murti Pratishtha mahotsav were celebrated.