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Shahibaug wasa unique areaof Ahmedabad.God hadblessed this landwith nature’s abundance. But, of a more lastingmatter is its bond with Bhagwan Swaminarayan.This bond was further strengthened by BrahmaswarupShastriji Maharaj. For it was he who identifiedthe sanctified land where Shri Hari hadrested many times, where he had given spiritualguidance to sadhus and devotees, where the sadhushad sung and played musical instruments toplease Shri Hari and from where on numerousoccasions Shri Hari was honoured in grand processionsand welcomed to the city. Shastriji Maharajpersonally met sadhus and devotees whohad witnessed Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s divinelilas at Shahibaug and learnt from them its locationsand the divine occasions described in thesampradayic texts.So, when Shastriji Maharaj decided to builda mandir in Ahmedabad he chose Shahibaugas its site, even though bigger and better plotswere available in other areas of the city. For thedevotees at the time these other plots were moreconvenient and preferable, since Shahibaugwas regarded as distant from the main city areaand had few residents. But Shastriji Maharajhad firmly decided to build the mandir on thissanctified land. The devotees even requestedShastriji Maharaj, “For us to come here fromthe city is quite a distance.” Shastriji Maharajreplied, “This place will become the centre ofthe city.” Today, these words have proved true.Shastriji Maharaj’s fondness for the sanctifiedland of Shahibaug is evident from the articlespublished in Swaminarayan Prakash at the time.Brahmaswarup Shastriji Maharajin Shahibaug, AhmedabadOn 24 February 1945, Shastriji Maharajsuffered a severe heart attack in Ahmedabad.Dr Makad and Dr Chhotubhai Nayak, whowere treating Swamishri, strictly advised himto take absolute rest. On 25 February, whenYogiji Maharaj, Nirgundas Swami and the youngShastri Narayanswarupadasji heard the newsthey, together with Maganbhai, Harmanbhaiand others who had come from Africa, rushedto Ahmedabad from Nenpur. A report from theSwaminarayan Prakash notes, “Everyone’s lifeforcehad assumed ill health and was resting.So everyone was downcast. When ShastriNarayanswarupdas and guru Shastriji Maharajmet the former burst into tears. Even ShastrijiMaharaj’s eyes became moist. The intense loveof his disciples brought tears to Swamishri’seyes. Many devotees also became tearful. Thenmuktaraj Ashabhai emotionally prayed toSwamishri to control his illness and bless all.“Hearing this, Swamishri sat up in bed and,as usual, leaned on a pillow, his face glowing andeyes showering affection.“In this delicate condition, Shastriji Maharajspoke to all about building a mandir in Shahibaug,Ahmedabad, ‘To stay or go is Maharaj’s wish.Mul Aksharmurti also departed at the age of82. Similarly, I will also leave. So, be diligentin observing agna. There was no reason for amandir in Ahmedabad, but Mistry placed a murtiof Mul Aksharmurti Gunatitanand Swami in theassembly hall of the old mandir [at Kalupur].Acharyashri himself accepted the gift. A donationwas made to Lalji Maharaj as well. Then after afew days, ‘Aksharmurti’ [and the rest of the line]was deleted. So, I wish to build a mandir here ofMaharaj and Sadguru Gunatitanand Swami. So,it will be done” (Swaminarayan Prakash, March50 Swaminarayan Bliss u May-June 2013