Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints attended the grand opening ceremony of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) Mandir in the Salt Lake area on Saturday, September 13, 2025. BAPS is a socio-spiritual organization within the Hindu faith, guided by His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj.
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BAPS mandirs, or temples, are Hindu sacred places of worship that serve as centers of peace, devotion and community service for all Hindus and people of faith. The new mandir, located in southwest Salt Lake County, was originally used as a Latter-day Saint meetinghouse.
The opening of this mandir in the Salt Lake Valley follows a visit earlier this summer between the Church’s First Presidency and Pujya Brahmaviharidas Swami, head of the BAPS Hindu Mandir Abu Dhabi and international relations for BAPS.
Before the new building opened, BAPS devotees in the area gathered in homes and rented halls. Now, the mandir will serve as a permanent home for worship and community activities.
“This is more than a building,” said Divyacharandas Swami, Head Swami overseeing BAPS activities in the Western United States. “It is a promise to our children that they will always have a place to connect with their faith, culture, and each other.”
Divyacharandas Swami also spoke about the significance of the building’s religious history.
“The fact that this beautiful building was previously a home for faith makes this moment even more meaningful,” he said. “We feel we are simply adding a new chapter to a story of devotion that has blessed this ground for years.”
Elder Michael Cziesla, a General Authority Seventy, attended the event along with his wife, Margret, and other invited guests. BAPS leaders welcomed Elder and Sister Cziesla with traditional garlands and invited Elder Cziesla to address the congregation.
In his remarks, Elder Cziesla recognized the growing relationship between Latter-day Saints and BAPS.
“We are so pleased with this wonderful relationship that we have established over so many years. There is so much that brings us together,” he said. “We are a temple-building people and you are a temple-building people.”
Following the event, Elder Cziesla spoke about the hospitality and friendship extended by the devotees of BAPS.
“They were so kind, they were so welcoming, they were so loving,” said Elder Cziesla. “This was an uplifting spiritual experience for me to be here.”
While this is the first mandir in Utah, this is not the first time Latter-day Saints have supported BAPS’ establishment of sacred spaces. Interfaith support in Los Angeles helped open paths for the mandir in Chino, California.
The BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, inspired by His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, has built over 1,300 mandirs worldwide and established over 5,000 Satsang (congregation) centers. In North America, there are over 120 mandirs, including the world’s largest mandir, BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham in Robbinsville, New Jersey.
“We pray that the bond between BAPS and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints allows the two global faith traditions to work together in harmony to inspire goodness and uplift communities,” said Hemang Dave, BAPS North America West regional president. “Both organizations are deeply committed to strengthening spirituality, nurturing families and serving society through humanitarian initiatives.”
Community members of all faiths are invited to visit the mandir and join in service opportunities.