New Sanskrit School Inaugurated in London by Mahant Swami Maharaj

Mahant Swami Maharaj has inaugurated the Akshar-Purushottam Sanskrit Pathshala at the Neasden Temple in London, fulfilling his vision for a Sanskrit school. This initiative aims to promote the study of Sanskrit among young learners, with around 350 students already engaged. The event celebrated the rich tradition of Sanskrit education and included various cultural presentations. Mahant Swami Maharaj emphasized the importance of learning Sanskrit for spiritual growth and understanding the teachings of Akshar-Purushottam Maharaj. This new pathshala represents a significant step in preserving and promoting Sanskrit heritage in the UK.

By Narendra Chaudhary Oct 13, 2026, 16:53 IST

Inauguration of Akshar-Purushottam Sanskrit Pathshala

File image of BAPS chief Mahant Swami Maharaj(Photo: @imAbhishekGohel/X)

London, Oct 13: A new center for the study and conversation of Sanskrit has been established in London, with Mahant Swami Maharaj of BAPS inaugurating the Akshar-Purushottam Sanskrit Pathshala at the Swaminarayan Mandir, commonly referred to as Neasden Temple, on Tuesday.

This new 'pathshala' was a dream of Mahant Swami Maharaj, who expressed his desire in a letter during last month's Satsang Diksha Sanman Mahotsav, aiming to set up a Sanskrit school at the Mandir during his visit to London. He personally named the institution, which has already attracted around 350 young students interested in Sanskrit prior to its official opening.

During the event, Mahamahopadhyay Bhadreshdas Swami highlighted the rich tradition of Sanskrit education that dates back to Bhagwan Swaminarayan, who motivated 'sadhus' to pursue Sanskrit studies and sent many to Kashi for advanced learning.

“In 1961, Yogi Maharaj founded the Akshar-Purushottam Sanskrit Pathshala in Mumbai, followed by Pramukh Swami Maharaj establishing the Yagnapurush Sanskrit Pathshala in Sarangpur in 1973. Today, Mahant Swami Maharaj has continued this legacy by promoting Sanskrit education among the youth,” stated a BAPS announcement.

The inauguration ceremony included a Sanskrit presentation by young scholars, who engaged in a dialogue reflecting on Mahant Swami Maharaj’s visits to Paris and London, expressing their gratitude for the new pathshala. The event featured pujan of Akshar-Purushottam Maharaj, the worship of the inauguration plaque, and the lighting of a sacred lamp by Mahant Swami Maharaj.

In his speech, Mahant Swami Maharaj spoke in Sanskrit, praising the language and advocating for its study. He emphasized that learning Sanskrit would enable future generations to appreciate the significance of Akshar-Purushottam Maharaj and strengthen their spiritual foundations.

This new pathshala integrates language, education, and spiritual heritage, providing opportunities for children and young people in London to learn Sanskrit and connect with its timeless wisdom.

Importantly, Bhadreshdas Swami has written a five-volume Sanskrit commentary on the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, and the Brahma Sutras. At the 17th World Sanskrit Conference held in Vancouver in 2018, Akshar-Purushottam Darshan was acknowledged as a unique school within the Vedanta tradition.