May-June 2013 Annual Subscription `80/- - Baps.org

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 2013, 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.May-June 2013 u Swaminarayan Bliss 59