Opening of mega cultural precinct to enrich Australia’s multicultural tapestry

A grand new chapter in Australia’s multicultural story will be revealed this year with the opening of the BAPS Swaminarayan Hindu Mandir and Cultural Precinct in Sydney’s southwest.

Located in Kemps Creek, the 25acre precinct will become a major cultural destination close to the Western Sydney Airport. It will feature cultural centres with traditional Indian architecture, Australia’s tallest metal statue, a meditation garden with native Australian plants and be a site for sharing, learning and understanding for people from all backgrounds.

“This precinct has been 10 years in the making and is a place where people can experience India’s rich cultural traditions. Whether you want to practise your faith, spend time with family, or just enjoy the atmosphere in the garden or underneath the statue, there’s something for everyone,” said BAPS spokesperson Kunal Patel. “The 15-metre-tall statue represents Bhagwan Swaminarayan in his youthful form, known as Nilkanth Varni. Standing on one foot, with his eyes closed in concentration, the statue symbolises peace, resilience, and focus—values everyone in today’s society aspires for.”

The precinct will open in two phases. The first phase will see the opening of the cultural centre, gardens, and sites for community activities, and the second phase will be the completion of the traditional stone mandir or temple. His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, the sixth spiritual leader of BAPS, will be present to lead celebrations of Phase 1 completion and formally start Phase 2.

Mr Patel added, “This visit is highly anticipated by the Hindu community across Australia and New Zealand.

We expect many people from both countries to travel to Sydney for the celebrations in March, as well as international visitors from the USA, UK, and India.”

Mahant Swami Maharaj’s visit in Australia will bring together Hindus and other cultural communities through a unique blend of spiritual, cultural, and social activities with the aim of spreading joy and experiencing peace. During his month-long visit to Sydney starting on 4 March, Mahant Swami Maharaj will participate in several festivals, including the unveiling of the Tapomurti statue, a cultural parade, Holi celebrations, and the groundbreaking ceremony for the stone mandir’s construction. Before coming to Sydney, Mahant Swami Maharaj will visit Melbourne from 12 February. His visit to Victoria will include cultural activities, including honouring over 1,300 people, aged 4 to 70, as Sanskrit scholars for memorising 315 verses from the Satsang Diksha scripture, a text authored by His Holiness himself.

Mr Patel continued, “The Satsang Diksha scripture teaches how to live a moral and righteous life for the benefit of society. Memorising these teachings in Sanskrit—the world’s oldest language—shows the dedication and commitment of the individuals involved.”

The Melbourne events and the opening of the BAPS Swaminarayan Hindu Mandir and Cultural Precinct in Sydney will unite people across Australia, offering a unique opportunity for cultural exchange and learning.

BAPS Australia BAPS, which stands for Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (also known as BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha), is a global Hindu organisation rooted in the Vedas, the ancient scriptures of Hinduism. It is a spiritual, volunteerdriven organisation dedicated to promoting personal growth and improving society through the Hindu values of faith, unity, and selfless service.

Established in 1984, BAPS Australia now has mandirs in all major cities and more than 50 assembly centres across both metropolitan and regional Australia.

BAPS Australia works closely with BAPS Charities, a registered charity with the Australian Charities and Not-forProfits Commission (ACNC), to support individuals, families, and communities in need. The charity offers benevolent relief through various programs, including food donation drives and fundraising for healthcare initiatives.