Swaminarayan Temple

The first Dev Mandir in the United States was set up in the basement of a house of a devotee in New Jersey in 1981. The Dev Mandir existed here until 1986.

The Historical Landmark, First Church of Christian Scientist, was purchased in Weehawken, New Jersey on the bank of Hudson River with a view of the high-rise buildings of New York City in 1986. On May 24, 1987, Acharya Shree Tejendraprasadji Maharaj conducted the Murti Pratishtha ceremony (invocation of gods) in the first Swaminarayan Temple in USA at Weehawken. Swaminarayan occupies the principal seat of this temple. The occasion was celebrated by satsangis from various parts of the USA, UK, Africa and India.

The procession with the idols began at Colonial Park, West New York and New Jersey on the Blvd East Road, overseeing the bank of Hudson River. With extraordinary floats and the Weehawken Mayor Mr. Richard F. Turner as Guest of Honor and assemblyman Mr. Octovio Alfonso in presence the procession began towards the temple.

Satsang in the New Jersey area began in 1978 with the guidance of His Holiness 1008 Shri Tejendraprasadji Maharaj’s. In H.H. Acharya Maharajshri’s inaugural visit to USA, saints as well as devotees from India toured through New York, Boston, Chicago, Nashville, Atlanta, Charlotte, Florida, California and several other cities for three and half months to spread the message of The Original Swaminarayan Sampraday as ordained by Lord Swaminarayan. Blissful gifts and supportive donations from loving devotees from all over the USA facilitated the establishment of the nonprofit, International Swaminarayan Satsang Organisation (I.S.S.O.). H.H. Acharya Maharajshri traveled USA again in 1981 through many cities and established a small Hari Mandir in the basement of a benevolent devotee. Satsang continued in the Hari Mandir until 1986. The Historical Landmark, First Church Of Christian Scientist, was purchased in Weehawken, New Jersey on the bank of Hudson River with a great view of the high-rise buildings of New York City. The vision for the first temple of I.S.S.O had become a reality.

On Saturday 24th May 1987, H.H. Tejendraprasasji Maharajshri inaugurated the First Shri Swaminarayan Temple in USA at Weehawken, New Jersey. Satsangis from UK, Africa, India ,and various cities of the USA joined together in this divine celebration. The procession with the divine idols began at Colonial Park at 60th Street, West New York, NJ on the Blvd East road ,overseeing the bank of Hudson River. With extraordinary floats and the Weehawken Mayor Mr. Robert Turner as Chief Guest of honor and assembly-man Mr. Octovio Alfonso in presence the procession began. A little shower of rain came from Lord Swaminarayan in the morning to signify the happiness and joy in the heavens. The females dressed in red saris and the youths had special uniforms from India for cultural dances. Many hardships came in constructing Shri Hari’s First divine abode but with the divine blessings of Lord Swaminarayan , we started the new beginning of The Original Swaminarayan Sampraday for both The Narnarayan Dev and Laxminarayan Dev Gadis (Diocese). The Shri Swaminarayan Temple in Weehawken, New Jersey is the National Headquarters of I.S.S.O.

The installation ceremony of the idols in the temple was celebrated in the presence of thousands of people from all over USA, UK, Africa and India with great splendor.

After the installation of the idols, His Holiness 1008 Shri Tejendraprasadji Maharaj said, I had personally made hard effort to build this first temple in USA, and this will remain as our home just like Lord Swaminarayan said, Gadhada is my home and I am for Gadhada. Until today Swaminarayan Temple, Weehawken is the beloved temple for all satsangie of both dioceses, Ahmedabad-Vadtal.