Vishwa Shanti Mahayagna at Akshardham: Thousands pray for global peace on Dussehra
Synopsis
Thousands of devotees and 30 Swamis gathered at New Delhi's Swaminarayan Akshardham on Dussehra 2025 for the annual Vishwa Shanti Mahayagna — offering prayers across 108 yagna kunds for an end to global war and chaos. The event, held on the day symbolising good's victory over evil, carried a pointed message from BAPS head Mahant Swami Maharaj amid ongoing worldwide conflict.
Key Takeaways
The Vishwa Shanti Mahayagna was held at Swaminarayan Akshardham Mandir, New Delhi on 20 October 2025 — the occasion of Vijayadashami (Dussehra) .
30 Swamis and Mahants from mandirs across India and overseas performed Vedic rituals and chanted mantras.
Devotees made sacred offerings in 108 yagna kunds , participating as yajmans .
His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj , head of BAPS , reiterated a message calling for an end to global war, violence, and chaos.
The event is held annually at Akshardham on Dussehra, following an initiative by Guruhari Mahant Swami Maharaj.
A grand Vishwa Shanti Mahayagna (World Peace Yagna) was held at Swaminarayan Akshardham Mandir in New Delhi on Tuesday, 20 October 2025, coinciding with the auspicious occasion of Vijayadashami (Dussehra). Thousands of devotees from across India and abroad gathered at the iconic complex to offer prayers for global peace, harmony, and brotherhood.
How the Mahayagna Unfolded
The sacred ritual commenced at 6 am with 30 Swamis and Mahants — drawn from various mandirs across India and overseas — chanting Vedic mantras and performing sacred offerings. Devotees participated as yajmans (hosts of the yagna), making offerings in 108 yagna kunds in accordance with Vedic traditions.
Women and children joined the gathering in significant numbers. The entire Akshardham complex was decorated with colourful rangoli, flags, and festoons for the occasion, lending both a festive and deeply spiritual character to the event.
The Message of His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj
Central to the event was the message of His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, the head of BAPS (Akshardham Sansthan), which was reiterated at the gathering. The message appealed for an immediate end to war, violence, and global unrest.
'May the atmosphere of war, violence and chaos that exists anywhere in the world today come to an end soon. May everyone live in love, harmony and brotherhood. May faith, devotion and steadfastness arise in everyone's life. This is our prayer at the feet of Bhagwan Swaminarayan,' the message stated.
Attendees also took personal resolutions to give up negativity, ego, and hatred, and to embrace positivity, love, and mutual understanding.
Significance of Dussehra as the Chosen Date
The choice of Vijayadashami — a festival symbolising the triumph of good over evil — lent particular weight to the prayers offered. Organisers noted that the yagna sought not only individual well-being but collective peace and fraternity for all of humanity.
This is the annual World Peace Mahayagna, held at Akshardham every Dussehra following an initiative by Guruhari Mahant Swami Maharaj. Since its inception, the event has been observed each year to invoke divine blessings for worldwide peace and harmony.
Conclusion and Looking Ahead
The gathering concluded with a collective prayer for a world free from conflict — a theme that drew resonance given ongoing global tensions in multiple regions. The event reinforces Akshardham's long-standing role as a spiritual centre advocating universal peace beyond India's borders.
Point of View
Framing spiritual renewal as the antidote to global conflict. What gives the 2025 edition particular resonance is the explicit reference to ongoing wars and chaos in the world, signalling that BAPS's message has shifted from generic goodwill to pointed commentary on geopolitical realities. Soft power of this kind — thousands of devotees, global participation, a media-friendly spectacle — is rarely acknowledged in diplomatic discussions about India's global outreach. The event quietly positions Indian spiritual traditions as a credible voice for international peace, a framing worth watching as India continues to assert cultural leadership on the world stage.
NationPress
20 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Vishwa Shanti Mahayagna held at Akshardham?
The Vishwa Shanti Mahayagna, or World Peace Yagna, is an annual sacred ritual held at Swaminarayan Akshardham Mandir in New Delhi on Dussehra. It involves Vedic prayers and offerings in 108 yagna kunds, conducted by Swamis and Mahants from BAPS mandirs across India and abroad, seeking divine blessings for global peace and harmony.
When and why is the yagna held on Dussehra every year?
The yagna is held on Vijayadashami (Dussehra) each year because the festival symbolises the victory of good over evil, making it an auspicious occasion to pray for an end to conflict and suffering. The tradition was initiated by Guruhari Mahant Swami Maharaj, head of BAPS, and has been observed annually since its inception.
Who participated in the 2025 Vishwa Shanti Mahayagna?
The 2025 event saw participation from thousands of devotees from across India and abroad, along with 30 Swamis and Mahants drawn from BAPS mandirs across the country and overseas. Women and children also attended in notable numbers.
What was the message of Mahant Swami Maharaj at the event?
His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj's message called for an immediate end to war, violence, and chaos in the world, urging people to live in love, harmony, and brotherhood. The message was delivered in prayer form addressed to Bhagwan Swaminarayan and reiterated at the gathering.
Where exactly is the Swaminarayan Akshardham Mandir located?
The Swaminarayan Akshardham Mandir is located in New Delhi, India, and is one of the largest Hindu temple complexes in the world. It is managed by BAPS (Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Sanstha) and serves as a major centre for spiritual and cultural activities.
