Melbourne’s Hindu community is preparing for a landmark spiritual and cultural moment, with the newly built Shree Swaminarayan Temple Junagadhdham Melbourne set to host a grand Murti Pratishtha Mahotsav in January 2026.
Temple organisers say the event is a significant milestone for Victoria’s Swaminarayan community and reflects years of planning, fundraising and volunteer effort.
What is Murti Pratishtha?
Murti Pratishtha is a sacred Hindu ritual in which deities are formally installed in a temple through Vedic ceremonies and prayers. Once completed, the temple is considered spiritually active and open for daily worship.
The five-day celebration will take place at the temple’s new premises at 37 Sheahan Road, Rockbank, Victoria, marking a major milestone for devotees of the Swaminarayan faith across Australia. The Mahotsav will bring together saints, scholars and community members from across the country for a series of sacred rituals, processions, discourses and cultural programs.
“This is the moment when the temple becomes a living spiritual centre,” a temple spokesperson said.
“It represents devotion, unity and the collective effort of families who have worked tirelessly to see this vision realised.”
Religious leaders to lead ceremonies
The celebrations will be held under the spiritual guidance of Pujya Sadguru Swami Shree Nityaswarupdasji, with the central consecration ceremony to be performed by His Holiness 1008 Acharya Shree Rakeshprasadji Maharaj of the Vadtal Gadi.
Organisers said the presence of senior spiritual leaders reflected the significance of the occasion.
About the temple
Name: Shree Swaminarayan Temple Junagadhdham
Location: 37 Sheahan Road, Rockbank VIC
Tradition: Swaminarayan Sampraday (Vadtal Gadi)
“This is not just a local event,” the spokesperson said.
“It connects the Australian community to a centuries-old tradition that has its roots in Gujarat and continues to guide millions of followers worldwide.”
A week of devotion and celebration
The Mahotsav will commence on Wednesday, 21 January 2026, with a Pothiyatra from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm, followed by an evening Katha-Gharsabha from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
Daily Katha-Gharsabha sessions will be held throughout the week, providing devotees an opportunity for spiritual reflection, discourse and community gathering. On Thursday, 22 January, the celebrations will include the Ghanshyam Pragatya Utsav, marking the divine manifestation of Bhagwan Swaminarayan.
On Friday, 23 January, the program will feature a special night event, including a Hasya Dayro led by renowned performer Hitesh Antala, offering cultural storytelling and humour alongside devotional activities.
The Mahotsav will reach a major ceremonial peak on Saturday, 24 January, with a full-day Yagna from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, followed by a Nagar Yatra procession through the local area. The evening will include Katha-Gharsabha and the Gadi Pattabhishek ceremony at 7:00 pm.
Murti Pratishtha ceremony
The most sacred moment of the Mahotsav will take place on Sunday, 25 January 2026, with the Murti Pratishtha ceremony held from 9:00 am to 10:00 am. This ritual formally installs the deities within the temple, transforming the newly constructed building into a fully consecrated spiritual centre.
The ceremony will be followed by Yagna Purnahuti, Ashirvachan Sabha, and Annakut Aarti, with Annakut Darshan open to devotees from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Evening celebrations will include the Mahatma Pragatya Utsav and a fireworks display at 9:30 pm.
Why it matters?
Temple organisers say the Rockbank site will serve as:
A place of worship
A cultural and learning centre
A hub for community service and youth engagement
“Our aim is to create a space that supports spiritual growth while also strengthening community bonds,” the spokesperson said.
“This temple belongs to the next generation as much as it honours the past.”
Festivities will continue on Monday, 26 January, with Katha-Gharsabha in the evening, followed by a cultural program at 8:30 pm. The Mahotsav will conclude on Tuesday, 27 January, with Katha Purnahuti, marking the completion of the week-long spiritual journey.
Additional GharSabha sessions are scheduled on 19, 21 and 28 January through to 3 February 2026, allowing extended participation for devotees.
A new spiritual landmark for Victoria
Located in Melbourne’s growing western corridor, the Shree Swaminarayan Temple Junagadhdham at Rockbank is expected to become a major centre for worship, learning and community service. Organisers say the Murti Pratishtha Mahotsav represents not only a religious milestone but also a celebration of faith, culture and unity within Australia’s multicultural landscape.
Several key events will be live-streamed via Sardhardham platforms, allowing devotees across Australia and overseas to participate.
With thousands expected to attend over the course of the Mahotsav, the event stands as one of the most significant Hindu religious celebrations in Victoria in 2026, highlighting the enduring spiritual and cultural contribution of the Swaminarayan community in Australia.
The Mahotsav will conclude on Tuesday, 27 January, formally bringing the consecration celebrations to a close.
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