Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), formally established in 1907, is a worldwide community-based spiritual organisation closely affiliated with the United Nations. It is dedicated to fulfilling the spiritual, cultural and social needs of people while promoting inner peace and harmony between individuals, within families, and amongst communities.

BAPS has had a formal presence in Leicester since 1977, when activities began in a makeshift mandir on Doncaster Road. Within just 3 years, this location proved too small, and activities moved to the current mandir at St. James Street, consecrated by Pramukh Swami Maharaj in 1980.

Now, after almost three decades of consistent growth and development, the need has arisen for a larger, more purpose-built facility to allow for BAPS' continuing spiritual, cultural and community outreach activities in Leicester.

A key feature of these activities has always been the weekly assemblies, where young and old are guided and inspired with values such as: academic excellence, physical well-being, creative talents, respect of elders, family duty, social cohesion, cultural identity, national responsibility, and personal devotion to God.