The History of Nairobi – ‘Green City in the Sun’

Nairobi is the capital city of Kenya and is situated at an elevation of about 1660m in the highlands of the southern part of the country. It is the principal economic, administrative, and cultural center and is one of the largest and fastest growing cities in Africa.

Originally a particularly swamp-like area, the city now known as Nairobi was named after a watering hole referred to in the Maasai language as Ewaso Nyirobi, meaning "cool waters". Nairobi was a marshy waterhole for the Maasai people and of little interest to the European colonialists until the 19th Century when the spiritual leader of the Maasai negotiated a treaty with the British hence allowing them to lay the Mombasa-Uganda railway line right through the heart of the Maasai grazing lands.

Nairobi was founded in 1899 as a supply depot for the Uganda Railway which was being constructed between the coast of Mombasa and Uganda. It replaced Mombasa as the capital of the British East Africa Protectorate in 1905 and then became Kenya's second largest town after Mombasa.

Nairobi was granted city status in 1954. Kenyan independence from Britain was achieved in 1963 and Nairobi became the capital of the Republic of Kenya. After independence, the city grew rapidly and today it is a cosmopolitan and multicultural city, with a skyline that has been compared to some European and American cities.

Shree Swaminarayan Temple
The first temple of the supreme Karan Satsang outside India was constructed on Grogan Road, Nairobi. A magnificent three day festival, from Wednesday 24 December 1952 to Friday 26 December 1952 was held in celebration of the installation of the divine Murtis.

As the years passed, the number of disciples in Nairobi increased and the temple and social hall on Grogan Road / Kirinyaga Road could not cater for all the needs of the religious, educational and social activities held at those premises. There was a dire need for a larger temple complex. With the divine blessings of Lord Swaminarayanbapa Swamibapa and Acharya Swamishree, a suitable plot of land was purchased in the Parklands area, between 1st and 2nd Parklands Avenue.

On Sunday 20 December 1998, Acharya Swamishree laid the foundation stone at the new temple site and a new temple ‘Swamibapa Religious and Cultural Centre’, an architectural masterpiece, was completed in December 2000. Acharya Swamishree performed the installation of the divine Murtis of Lord Swaminarayan, Jeevanpran Shree Abji Bapashree and Jeevanpran Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa.

Dashabdi Mahotsav
Ten great years have passed since the installation of the divine Murtis of Lord Swaminarayan, Jeevanpran Shree Abji Bapashree and Jeevanpran Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa. To mark this occasion a magnificent 5-day Dashabdi Mahotsav  will be held from Wednesday 22 to Sunday 26 December 2010.

Mission
Empowering youth through cohesive relationships among members while promoting excellence in mind (self esteem and self worth), body (image and nutrition) and spirit (our purpose in life).

Activities
Program activities include empowerment workshops, scripture recitals, Indian and African traditional dances, religious and cultural drama, guest speakers from within and outside the community, life and academic skills development, presentation of certificates to high achievers in both education and extracurricular activities among others.

We will have group outings, workshops, recreational activities and partake in cultural events.

A grand procession in the city of Nairobi is marked for the 24th December2010. The procession will be led by renouned H H Swamibapa Pipe Band which has given performances in India and during public functions in Kenya.

Participants will learn to value the above mentioned objectives along with education, community involvement and respect for themselves and others.