Chinmaya IAS Academy – Current Affairs Chinmaya IAS Academy – Current Affairs
GS-I-History
Background:
Recently, the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Temple in Chino Hills, California, was subjected to vandalism.
About BAPS:
Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) is a sect within Hinduism that follows Vaishnavism. It belongs to the Swaminarayan Sampradaya.
- Establishment: BAPS was founded in 1907 by Shastriji Maharaj (1865–1951), who propagated the teachings of Bhagwan Swaminarayan (1781–1830).
- Core Principles: Followers adhere to five lifelong vows, which include abstaining from alcohol, substance abuse, adultery, consumption of non-vegetarian food, and maintaining purity of body and mind.
- Spiritual Foundation: The sect traces its philosophical and religious roots to the Vedic tradition.
Global Presence and Contributions:
BAPS has a worldwide network of approximately 1,550 temples. Some of its most prominent temples include the Akshardham temples in Delhi and Gandhinagar, along with Swaminarayan temples in London, Toronto, Houston, Chicago, Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Nairobi. In 2023, the Indian Prime Minister inaugurated a BAPS temple in Abu Dhabi.
Apart from religious services, BAPS actively engages in social welfare through hospitals, schools, and various humanitarian initiatives, primarily focusing on healthcare, education, and community development.