Huntington, N.Y., renames street in Melville Township after BAPS spiritual leader Pramukh Swami Maharaj

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In a historic move, town officials of Huntington, New York, renamed Deshon Drive, a street in Melville Township to “HH Pramukh Swami Drive.”

The renaming was meant to commemorate the centennial celebrations of Pramukh Swami Maharaj, known to devotees as ‘His Holiness.’ He was the inspirer of the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir located at 2 Deshon Drive.

Councilman Salvatore Ferro hosted the ceremony attended by state, county and town officials who praised Pramukh Swami Maharaj and the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Melville for its social and spiritual activities, a press release from BAPS said.

Among the speakers and other attendees were Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, Town Supervisor Ed Smyth, Suffolk Deputy County Executive Jon Kaiman, former Town Supervisor Frank Petrone, Suffolk Sheriff Errol Toulon, Suffolk Legislator Stephanie Bontempi, State Assemblyman Steve Stern, State Sen. Mario Mattera, and Town Receiver of Taxes Jillian Guthman.

“It is a great honor. Pramukh Swami Maharaj was the inspirer of the mandir, and this is a great gesture from the Township to honor him on his 100th birthday,” Girish Patel, a volunteer of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha is quoted saying in the press release, adding, “I thank all the town officials.”

Pramukh Swami Maharaj was the fifth spiritual successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. Under his leadership, BAPS grew into an international spiritual and humanitarian organization with more than 3,300 centers worldwide, noted a press release from BAPS.

Pramukh Swami Maharaj is credited with dedicating his life to the well-being of others, traveling throughout the world to foster love, peace, harmony, righteousness, faith in God, and service to humanity. His most important life principle was, “In the joy of others, lies our own,” BAPS noted.