About Us
In the late 1900s, as many Swaminarayan Vadtal Gadi devotees immigrated from India to America, a group of Satsangis in New Jersey began to gather and conduct regular Satsang Sabhas. These Sabhas initially began in homes and grew into rented halls, allowing many hundreds of devotees to gather. Many Santos and Dharmakul frequently traveled from India to America during this time to encourage and grow the Satsang movement. As the Satsang movement grew, in 1997, a piece of land was purchased in Somerset, New Jersey, to build a Mandir where thousands of devotees could gather to offer prayers to Bhagwan Swaminarayan. In the presence of thousands of Santos and devotees, Bhumi Pujan was performed by H.D.H. P.P. D.D. 1008 Acharya Shree Ajendraprasadji Maharaj. In 2004, H.D.H. P.P. D.D. 1008 Acharya Shree Rakeshprasadji Maharaj performed Murti Pratishtha of Harikrushna Maharaj in the presence of many respected Santos from India. Throughout the years, many Santos of Vadtal Desh have resided at this temple to offer their service to this temple and community. Many devotees have been inspired to practice the teachings and lessons of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. Hundreds of devotees gather to offer prayers and partake in religious activities every Saturday. The temple regularly celebrates large Hindu festivals such as Janmasthmi, Ramnavmi, Shivratri, Holi, Diwali, and Tulsi Vivah.
Mandir Saints
Mahant Shree Ramdasji Swami
Bhandari Shree Shrirangdasji Swami
Board of Trustees
Mrugesh Patel
President
Indravadanbhai Patel
Vice President
Trushar Patel
Secretary
Harshad Patel (Khandhli)
Executive Committee
Pareshbhai Patel (Nikora)
Executive Committee
Jwalant Trivedi
Executive Committee
Mukesh Papipaya
Board of Trustee
Mukundbhai Patel
Board of Trustee
Bhanubhai Sojitra
Board of Trustee
Girishbhai Patel (Sanjaya)
Board of Trustee
Ajitbhai Patel (Palana)
Board of Trustee
Operational Departments
Youth Activities
Youth activities at a mandir aim to engage young members in meaningful, educational, and enjoyable experiences that promote spiritual development, cultural awareness, and a sense of community. These activities can range from religious studies and service projects to cultural events and social gatherings.
Website Development/Maintenance
Regular maintenance of the mandir’s website is crucial for keeping information accurate, enhancing user experience, and ensuring the site's security. This includes content updates, technical upkeep, security measures, and performance optimization.
Decoration Seva
The Decoration Team at a mandir (temple) is responsible for creating aesthetically pleasing and spiritually uplifting environments for various temple events, festivals, ceremonies, and daily worship. This involves planning, designing, and executing decorations that enhance the temple's atmosphere and reflect the cultural and spiritual significance of each occasion.
Kitchen Seva
The temple kitchen, often referred to as the "prasadam" is a vital part of temple operations. It is where food offerings (prasadam) are prepared for deities and then distributed to devotees. This kitchen serves not only as a place for preparing sacred offerings but also as a hub for community service through feeding programs.
News/Bulletin/Events
The news/bulletin/events section of a mandir's communication platform provides timely and accurate information about temple activities, religious events, community services, and important announcements. This section ensures that community members stay connected and engaged with the mandir’s offerings.
Hall & catering
The Hall and Catering Seva at a mandir involves organizing and managing the use of temple facilities for events and providing food services for community members. This seva (service) ensures that events run smoothly and that guests are well-fed, promoting a sense of community and hospitality.
Sangeet Team
The Sangeet Team at a mandir plays a crucial role in enhancing the spiritual ambiance and cultural vibrancy through music and performing arts. It involves organizing and performing devotional music, bhajans, kirtans, and other musical programs that uplift the community and deepen their spiritual experience.
Event preparation
Ashmitaben, Yogeshbhai, Dineshbhai, Pritesh
Mandir Store Managing
A Mandir Store serves as a vital resource for community members and visitors to acquire religious items, literature, and other essentials related to Hinduism and temple practices. It provides a convenient way for devotees to support the mandir financially while obtaining items that aid in their spiritual practices and daily worship.
Social Media
Utilizing social media effectively can significantly enhance communication, community engagement, and outreach efforts for a mandir (temple). It provides a platform to share updates, promote events, and connect with a broader audience, including current members, potential visitors, and the wider community.
Young Kids Activities
Offering a variety of activities for young kids at the mandir is essential for fostering their spiritual, cultural, and social development. These activities can include spiritual classes, outdoor fun activities, and other engaging programs designed to instill values, build community, and provide enjoyment.
Audio/Video
The Audio Video (AV) Team is a specialized group responsible for managing, operating, and maintaining all audiovisual systems and equipment. This team ensures high-quality audio and video production, streaming, and broadcasting for various events.
Education Classes
Education classes held in a mandir aim to provide both spiritual and academic learning opportunities for individuals of all ages. These classes can encompass a wide range of subjects, from religious teachings and moral values to academic support and life skills.
Public relation
A Public Relations (PR) volunteer at a temple plays a crucial role in managing the temple's public image, communicating with the community, and promoting temple activities and events. This role involves engaging with devotees, media, and the broader community to enhance the temple's visibility and reputation.
Publication
The Publications Team at a mandir (temple) is responsible for creating, managing, and distributing various types of written and digital content to support the temple’s activities, promote spiritual education, and enhance community engagement. This team ensures that all communication materials are informative, engaging, and aligned with the temple’s values and mission.