Pramukh Swami Maharaj’sJanuary-February <strong>2013</strong>, AhmedabadSwamishri performs the pratishtha arti of the murtis forthe shikharbaddh BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir, SelvasSwamishri engaged in darshan of Shri Harikrishna Maharajon Gunatit Diksha DaySwamishri’s daily routine consists of Thakorji’sdarshan in the morning in the mandir, darshanto devotees from the Akshar Jharuko (glasscabin) during early afternoon and again in theevening. The remainder of the day Swamishrispends in listening to spiritual discourses, exerciseand short walks, besides attending to lettersand meetings in his room.Devotees from India and abroad come forSwamishri’s darshan. During his darshan inAkshar Jharuko the youths and children on theground perform traditional dances and give specialpresentations to please Swamishri.In Dhanur Mas (January) decorations andspecial displays were arranged before Thakorjiin the mandir sanctum.JANUARY: AHMEDABAD4, Friday; BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir SuvarnaMahotsavThe grand finale of the Golden AnniversaryCelebration of BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir,Ahmedabad, was held in the evening at theSardar Patel Stadium. The four-and-a-half hourlong enthralling cultural programme includeddialogues, skits, traditional dances and speechesby senior sadhus. (For details see SwaminarayanBliss, March-April <strong>2013</strong>.)6, Sunday; BAPS Youth Activities 60 th AnniversaryCelebrationThe culmination of the Youth Activities60 th Anniversary Celebration was held in theevening at Sardar Patel Stadium. More than60,000 youths had assembled from all cornersof India and abroad. The celebration was heldin the presence of senior sadhus. (For details seeSwaminarayan Bliss, March-April <strong>2013</strong>.)Due to Swamishri’s ill health he was unableto attend the celebration, but he gave darshanand blessings to youths from the Akshar Jharukoin the afternoon.The event was broadcast live on Aastha Channeland webcast from the Sanstha’s website.58 Swaminarayan Bliss u <strong>May</strong>-<strong>June</strong> <strong>2013</strong>
12, Saturday; Swamishri’s 73 rd Bhagvati DikshaCelebrationThe day marked Swamishri’s 73 rd dikshaanniversary. Shastriji Maharaj had given himthe bhagvati (saffron) diksha in Akshar Deri,Gondal.Swamishri came for Thakorji’s darshan wearinga pagh on his head. On the pillow resting onhis lap were symbols of the bhagvati diksha – asaffron pagh, an upper cloth, a kanthi, mala anda janoi.Swamishri blessed the devotees assembled onthe mandir grounds. Then Pujya IshwarcharanSwami and Pujya Viveksagar Swami honouredSwamishri on behalf of all with a beautiful garland.14, Monday; Uttarayan and Jholi CelebrationThe Uttarayan celebration assembly was heldin the morning in the presence of Pujya Dr Swami,Ishwarcharan Swami and Viveksagar Swami.When Swamishri came for Thakorji’s darshanhe talked to some of the leading devotees, pulledthe strings tied to a kite and recited the traditionaljholi call, “Narayan Hare SachchidanandPrabho…” (For details see Swaminarayan Bliss,March-April <strong>2013</strong>, p. 61.)18, FridaySwamishri performed the murti-pratishtharituals of pujan and arti of the murtis for BAPShari mandirs at Katargam (Surat) and Madharkui(Sankari region).26, Saturday; Republic Day CelebrationOn India’s 64 th Republic Day Celebrationa large gathering of devotees on the mandirgrounds waved the Indian flag duringSwamishri’s arrival. Swamishri, too, waved thenational flag and blessed all.27, Sunday; Gunatit Diksha Day CelebrationThe ambience of a yagnashala was created inthe mandir sanctum to celebrate GunatitanandSwami’s diksha day. Swamishri was pleased withthe special darshan of Thakorji.In the evening, Swamishri read aloud thepledge that he had read out during the 200 thdiksha day celebration of Gunatitanand Swamiin Dabhan on 31 December 2009.29, TuesdaySwamishri performed the murti-pratishtharituals of arti and pushpanjali of the murtisfor eight BAPS hari mandirs: Vadavi (Kadi region),Anjar (Kutch), Ghayaj (Goriyad region),Devgadh Bariya (Panch Mahal), Torna (Kathlalregion), Nanikhadi (Donja region), Sadarvel(Donja region) and Anklav (Anklav region).FEBRUARY: AHMEDABAD7, ThursdaySwamishri performed the murti-pratishtharituals of arti and mantra pushpanjali of themurtis of Shri Akshar-Purushottam Maharaj,Shri Ghanshyam Maharaj, Shri HarikrishnaMaharaj, Shri Radha-Krishna Dev, Shri Sita-Ram, Shri Shiv-Parvatiji, Shri Guru Parampara,Shri Nilkanth Varni (abhishek murti), ShriHanumanji and Ganapatiji and Sukh Shaiyya forthe shikharbaddh BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir,Selvas. Swamishri invoked the deities in themurtis with the ritual touching of a gold-tippedstick. Swamishri also performed the abhishek ofNilkanth Varni with saffron water and blessedthat the murti will fulfill the wishes of devotees.Swamishri also performed the pratishtha ritualsof the murtis of Shri Akshar-PurushottamMaharaj for the BAPS hari mandir in Mogri(Gana region).Swamishri blessed 2,200 devotees, who hadcome for the pratishtha rituals, from the Selvasregion. Then the senior sadhus honouredSwamishri with a unique garland made ofsmall orange paghs prepared by the Selvas satsangmandal.<strong>May</strong>-<strong>June</strong> <strong>2013</strong> u Swaminarayan Bliss 59
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