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DEVOTEES’ HOMESSanctified by Bhagwan SwaminarayanThe hallmark of old Ahmedabad city is its narrowstreets and narrow pols (narrow streets). Today, manycenturies later, some parts of the old city appear asthey were, frozen in time. People of all walks have spent theirlives in these pols: tradesmen, noblemen, rich, poor and robust.They lived, died and were forgotten.But one name still survives till today – Bhagwan Swaminarayan.He first came to Ahmedabad in 1804 (V.S. 1860) and thereafterfor a total of 25 times till 1829. During each visit he stayedin the homes of devotees located in pols or narrow streets. Heblessed them, discoursed to them and performed many divine lilasfor their spiritual uplift. In the Sampradaya’s literature onefinds the names of 119 devotees of Ahmedabad during thetime of Bhagwan Swaminarayan.What was Shriji Maharaj’s daily routine inAhmedabad? The Sampradaya’s literaturenotes that after his morning rituals of bath,worship and breakfast he visited thehomes of devotees and well-wishersat their requests. He took lunch attheir homes, rested there in theafternoon and discoursed to themin the evening. He sanctified theopulent homes and havelis ofHimabhai Hathisinh Sheth, ShethBecharbhai Mankivala, and ShethLallubhai Badarbhai and alsothe ordinary homes of devoteesin the narrow streets and polsof Ahmedabad. During his homevisits Shriji Maharaj also sanctifiedpractically all the streets and pols32 Swaminarayan Bliss u May-June 2013