92 | COMMUNITY BAPS Hindu Temple: Watts & Hughes T T Karen Phelps Hindus celebrate their new temple The mandir features traditional temple components shipped directly from Indi including a one-of-a-kind decorative ceiling intricately designed by artisans. T Wellington’s Hindu community has achieved its most significant spiritual milestone in nearly three decades with the official consecration of the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Naenae, Lower Hutt. The 20-metre high structure, built on 3700sqm of land at 226 Cambridge Terrace, is the culmination of years of planning and the vision of spiritual leader His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj. “It was his vision to build a temple in Wellington,” says Zankar Patel, a volunteer for the temple. “Our guru said, ‘Wellington is the capital of New Zealand, so a mandir befitting its significance will be built there’.” Five days of celebrations in August drew devotees and well-wishers from across New Zealand and Australia. The festivities commenced on August 6 with the arrival of senior Hindu spiritual leader Pujya Narayanmuni Swami and continued with traditional rituals, community-led programmes and cultural performances. Guests attending the consecration included Right Honourable Chris Hipkins, Leader of the Opposition, Her Excellency Neeta Bhushan, Indian High Commissioner to New Zealand, and Campbell Barry, Mayor of Lower Hutt, alongside Members of Parliament, councillors and community representatives. The mandir features traditional temple components shipped directly from India in 10 40-foot containers, including a one-of-a-kind decorative ceiling intricately designed by artisans. An estimated 500-plus contractors and artisans contributed to the project throughout its construction, which was completed by Watts & Hughes. The mandir includes a prayer hall and sihasan, auditorium hall, dining hall, learning centre and commercial kitchen. It becomes New Zealand’s fifth BAPS temple, joining established mandirs in Auckland, Christchurch, Rotorua and Hamilton. BAPS (Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha) is a global, spiritual and volunteer-driven Hindu organisation rooted in the timeless teachings of the Vedas. Zankar says it strives to better society through individual development by instilling values, promoting spirituality, cultivating skills and nurturing growth, while preserving Indian culture and the Hindu ideals of faith, unity and selfless service in diverse communities worldwide. With over 55,000 dedicated volunteers, BAPS supports more than 5025 communities worldwide through humanitarian services, educational programmes and grassroots initiatives. “From building mandirs that serve as centres of faith and culture to organising large-scale youth forums, children’s activities and health awareness drives, it brings people together across cultures and generations, strengthening families, nurturing future leaders and fostering harmony.” Zankar says the organisation partners closely with BAPS Charities New Zealand to extend its ethos of service through humanitarian work. Over the past 24 months this has included raising $40,000 through a 2023 walkathon supporting Cyclone Gabrielle victims, dedicating over 84 hours to clean-up operations following Wairoa floods, planting 2000-plus trees during the 2024 National Tree Plantation Drive, and donating 4400 kilograms of non-perishable food to organisations including Kindness Collective and Ronald McDonald House Charities New Zealand. “The new BAPS Wellington mandir has been very warmly received by the community,” says Zankar. “We’ve seen many more people – both Hindu and non-Hindu – visiting and getting involved. It’s wonderful to see the mandir becoming not only a place of worship, but also a welcoming space for the whole community to come together.”
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