BAPS

APS is a Hindu religious organisation within the Swaminarayan tradition. It manages temples, promotes the teachings of Swaminarayan and plays a significant cultural and community role in India and abroad.

BAPS, an acronym for Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha, is a religious organisation founded in 1907 in Gujarat by Shastriji Maharaj. It represents the Akshar-Purushottam branch of the Swaminarayan movement, which identifies Swaminarayan as Purushottam (the supreme divinity) and Gunatitanand Swami as Akshar (the eternal spiritual entity associated with him). The organisation emphasises the spiritual relationship between guru and disciple, devotional practice, and an ethical discipline centred on non-violence, self-control and community life.

BAPS is known for its extensive network of temples, cultural centres and educational institutions. Its temples, commonly named Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, follow a recognisable architectural style featuring carved stone, symmetrical layouts, shrines dedicated to manifestations of Swaminarayan, and symbolic elements specific to the Akshar-Purushottam doctrine. The organisation also oversees religious training for its monks (sadhus), ritual activities, and the preservation of foundational texts of the Swaminarayan tradition.

Historically, BAPS expanded from Gujarat to regions with significant Gujarati diaspora communities from the mid-20th century onwards. Today, its temples are present across India as well as in the United Kingdom, North America, Southern Africa and Southeast Asia. The organisation plays a central role in shaping the religious and social life of Swaminarayan followers, particularly within diaspora communities.