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Independance Day & Acharya Swamiji Maharaj's Divine Ashirwad Bolton - 14th August 2023

Every 15th of August, we celebrate Independence Day, and this year marked the 77th anniversary of India gaining freedom from British rule. Year on year, the devotees at Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Bolton had the privilege of doing so alongside Prem Murti Bapa. Today we celebrated our second Independence day in the presence of Acharya Swamiji Maharaj, evoking recollections of the countless occasions when we marked this day with Prem Murti Bapa.

In a customary manner, the Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa Pipe Band assembled alongside cadets rendered the Indian National Anthem, while the Indian flag was raised, and the congregation stood in recognition.

Lord Shree Swaminarayan, Jeevanpran Abji Bapashree and Muktajeevan Swamibapa were all adorned with beautiful vagha’s that exhibited a captivating theme inspired by the colours of the Indian flag.

Following Sandhya Aarti and devotional kirtan bhakti, Acharya Swamiji Maharaj was lead into the sabha for the recitation of Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Granth.

After this followed Acharya Swamiji Maharaj’s Divine Ashirwad, in which he explained that in Ghadada Middle Prakaran 47, Bapa emphasises the inevitability of encountering both highs and lows in life. He explained that every event happens by will of God, thus urging us to embrace the Lord's teachings with a positive outlook. Cowardice has no place; instead, vigilance is encouraged. Acharya Swamiji advised to have a perspective that seeks goodness in others rather than dwelling on their imperfections, an approach crucial for attaining the supreme bliss of the Divine Murti. We must not waste this opportunity to please God.