The Mandir
A Mandir for every sampradaya
From the start, Hindu Union Mwanza set out to build one Mandir that would embrace all our sampradayas and unite the whole Hindu community of Mwanza. It has stood on the hill above Lumumba Street since 1958.
Our mission is to serve as a spiritual, cultural, and educational hub for individuals and families, rooted in the eternal principles of Sanatan Dharma.
Our story
Early 1950s
Satsang in a living room
Mwanza has no Hindu place of worship. Evening satsang is held at Shree Devshibhai Mistry's home on Nkrumah Road; later, in the Shree Shanker Ashram on Shabaha Road, now Uhuru Street.
1952
Hindu Union Mwanza is registered
Registered on 19 February 1952 under the Perpetual Succession Ordinance, and later under the Societies Ordinance. Under the chairmanship of Shri C. K. Patel MBE, a new Mandir is proposed: one that embraces every sampradaya.
1956
125,000 mantras under the foundation
On a rocky plot on the slope of the DC's hill, running down to Lumumba and Karuta streets, 125,000 handwritten mantras are placed in the ground at the khat muhurat. The Mandir is designed by Mr Maddox with civil engineer Shri Hasmukhbhai Swami, and built by Shri Mawjibhai Tank.
1958
The Mandir opens
On 25 October 1958, after four days of celebration and a procession of floats, Shree Sanatan Dharma Mandir opens. Devotees come from across East Africa. Its marble murtis are a gift of the Birla family of India.
1960
Rajendra Nursery School
Its foundation stone laid on 26 January 1959, the school opens on 19 April 1960 with 75 kindergarten pupils.
1970s
The multipurpose hall
Built by M/s Pragji Mohan. Mwanza's Navratri and Sharad Purnima, run by volunteer singers, musicians and electricians, become known across East Africa.
2008
Golden Jubilee
Fifty years of the Mandir, marked with a souvenir book of its history, its committees and its people.
2024
Bhoomi Pooja for the 20 flats
On 10 May 2024, construction begins on twenty rental flats in the Mandir compound, to keep the Mandir self-supporting for the generations to come.
He called Mwanza ‘Gokul’, where true haribhakts live.
Who have visited the Mandir
- P.P. Shri Shankaracharya
- P.P. Shri Yogiji Maharaj
- P.P. Shri Pramukhswami Maharaj
- P.P. Shri Murari Bapu
- P.P. Shrimati Indira Betiji
- P.P. Shri Dwarkeshlalji Mahoday
The Mandir and its community
- The Neej Mandir
- The main shrine: Radha Krishna, Laxmi Narayan and Sita Ram Laxman, with Shree Hanumanji and Shree Ganeshji beside it. Around it stand the shrines of Shiv, Maa Amba, Gayatri Maa, Jalaram Bapa, Shirdi Sai Baba, Vishwakarma Dada and the Swaminarayan Mandir.
- The halls
- The Mandir hall, and the multipurpose hall built in the 1970s for Navratri, Sharad Purnima, weddings and community gatherings. Around them, a garden, a children's playground and a large car park.
- Rajendra Nursery School
- Opened on 19 April 1960 with 75 kindergarten pupils, in memory of Shri Rajendra Ruparel.
- The crematorium
- On the shore of Lake Victoria, donated by the late Jamnadas Chhagan Bhanji and kept by volunteers to this day.
- The Hindu Boarding House
- Older than the Mandir itself: it housed boys from upcountry studying in Mwanza, then the education centre of the Lake Zone. It closed in the seventies, when many families moved abroad.
Suresh MaharajPriest of the Mandir. Countless sankalps and manorathas have been performed here by its priests since 1958.
Trustees
Trustee
Subhashbhai Patel
Subhashbhai Patel is the Chairperson of a prominent nationwide infrastructure development company and Hindu Hospital Mwanza. A distinguished real estate developer and a dedicated advocate for community empowerment, Subhashbhai is committed to driving impactful initiatives. As a trustee, he brings strategic vision and an extensive resource network to his role, focusing on mentorship and advancing infrastructure development. Subhashbhai firmly believes in using business success as a catalyst to build resilient communities and create lasting positive change.
Trustee
Pravinbhai Shah
Pravinbhai Shah is a distinguished businessman and serves as the Chairman and Trustee of the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) in Mwanza. Leveraging his extensive business acumen, Pravinbhai ensures transparent governance and drives the sustainable growth of community initiatives. His visionary leadership fosters a culture of accountability, collaboration, and long-term impact, benefiting both the organization and the broader community.
Trustee
Pankajbhai Suchak
Pankajbhai Suchak is an accomplished businessman known for his visionary leadership. As a trustee, Pankajbhai demonstrates a deep commitment to improving the livelihoods of community members. His passion for community development is evident in his creative and impactful programs.
In remembrance
The Golden Jubilee souvenir paid tribute to those who served the Union and the Mandir and have since passed on. We repeat it here, in its own order.
Golden Jubilee souvenir, 2008PDF, 61 pages · 25 MB, best on Wi-Fi- Late Shri C. K. Patel
- Late Shri Mohanlal Rajani
- Late Shri Prem Singh Sandhu
- Late Shri Ramnik Karia
- Late Shri Jamnadas C. Bhanji
- Late Shri Mulji Thakershi
- Late Shri Shantilal K. Tanna
- Late Shri Mathuradas Rugnath Gokuldas
- Late Shri Vithaldas Jiwan
- Late Shri V. H. Amarshi
- Late Shri Girdharlal Walji
- Late Shri Ramubhai Morjaria
- Late Shri Amritlal Dave
- Late Shri K. K. Dave
- Late Shri C. L. Patel
- Late Shri Jayantibhai Shah
- Late Shri Liladhar Sunderji
- Late Shri Bhagwanji Sunderji
- Late Shri N. C. Desai
- Late Shri Laxmidas Jiwan
- Late Shri Lalji Bhowan
- Late Shri Mawjibhai Tank
- Late Shri Shagunbhai Patel
- Late Shri Prabhudas Suchak
- Late Shri Ramanlal S. Joshi
- Late Shri Naran Bhowan
- Late Shri C. C. Patel
- Late Shri Kantibhai Patel
- Late Shri Vallabhdas Talsania
- Late Shri Dayabhai F. Mistry
- Late Shri Harilal Sanghvi
- Late Shri I. K. Patel
- Late Shri M. S. Shah
Help keep the Mandir standing on its own.