Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Historical Timeline

Inspirator: His Divine Holiness Acharya Swamishree Purushottampriyadasji Maharaj

At 10.00 p.m. on Chaitra sud 9 (Monday, 2nd April 1781 CE), the Supreme Lord Swaminarayan gave darshan in His human form upon this earth. The place chosen for the manifestation was the village of Chhapaiya, at the home of Dharmadev and Bhaktimata. His parents named Him Shree Ghanshyam.

Sadguru Shree Gopalanand Swamibapa gave darshan upon this earth in the same year as Lord Swaminarayan. The date for this manifestation was Maha Sud 8 and the place chosen was the village of Torda.

At the age of 11,on Ashad Sud 10 (29th June 1792 CE), Shree Ghanshyam Maharaj left His home to embark on a forest expedition through the Himalayan ranges to liberate and salvate innumerable lost souls. He kept merely a grass waistband (Munjni mekhla), a rosary (japmala), a water pot (kamandala), a begging bowl (bhikshapatra), a piece of cloth for filtering water (jalgaranu), a religious stone used for the purpose of worship (shaligram) and a small booklet containing extracts from the ancient Hindu scriptures (gutko). He was known as Shree Nilkanthvarni.

On Shravan Vad 6 (21st August 1799 CE), Shree Nilkanthvarni arrived at Loj and met Shree Muktanand Swami. This marked the end of His forest expedition.

Shree Ramanand Swami held the charge of the Satsang at that time. Lord Swaminarayan wanted to show the importance of a Guru in everyone's lives. Thus even the Supreme Lord Swaminarayan took resort unto a Guru, Shree Ramanand Swami. On Jeth Vad 12 (19th June 1800 CE), at the village of Piplana, Shree Nilkanthvarni met His guru Shree Ramanand Swami for the first time.

On Kartik Sud 11 (28th October 1800 CE), Shree Ramanand Swami initiated Shree Nilkanthvarni as a sant and called Him Shree Narayan Muni and Shree Sahajanand Swami. This historical event took place in the village of Piplana.

Only the year after, on Kartik Sud 11 (16th November 1801 CE), Shree Ramanand Swami entrusted the entire religion to Shree Sahajanand Swami. This coronation took place in the village of Jetpur.

Shree Ramanand Swami withdrew his human form on Magsar Sud 13 (17th December 1801 CE) in the village of Faneni. Fourteen days later, Shree Sahajanand Swami revealed His supreme and eternal name "Swaminarayan".

Lord Swaminarayan met Shree Khushal Bhatt (Shree Gopalanand Swamibapa) for the first time at Jetalpur.

Lord Swaminarayan initiated Shree Khushal Bhatt on Kartik Sud 8 at Gadhada and named him Shree Gopalanand Swami.

Sadguru Shree Nirgundasji Swamibapa gave darshan upon this earth in the village of Chuda.

Lord Swaminarayan entrusted Sadguru Shree Gopalanand Swamibapa with the key to aatyantik moksha and appointed him as the leader of the entire Swaminarayan religion. Hence, Shree Gopalanand Swamibapa was made Acharya of Shree Swaminarayan Gadi.

Lord Swaminarayan withdrew his divine human darshan on Jeth sud 10 in the village of Gadhada.

Lord Swaminarayan gave darshan upon the earth in the form of Shree Abji Bapashree on Kartik Sud 11 at Vrushpur. The couple that were blessed for this manifestation were Panchapita and Devuba.

Shree Gopalanand Swamibapa withdrew his divine human darshan on Vaishakh Sud 4.

Sadguru Shree Ishwarcharandasji Swamibapa gave darshan upon this earth in the village of Aslali.

Shree Nirgundasji Swamibapa initiated Sadguru Shree Ishwarcharandasji Swami as a sant.

Shree Nirgundasji Swamibapa entrusted Sadguru Shree Ishwarcharandasji Swamibapa with the key to aatyantik moksha and appointed him as the leader of the entire Swaminarayan religion. Hence, Shree Ishwarcharandasji Swamibapa was made Acharya of Shree Swaminarayan Gadi.

Shree Nirgundasji Swamibapa withdrew his divine human darshan on Aso Sud 1 at Ahmedabad.

Jeevanpran Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa gave darshan upon this earth at Kheda on the 7th October. Swamibapa chose the home of Muljibhai Patel and Ichhaba for His manifestation.

When some of the religions' administrators started to become corrupt and treated the income of the Temples as their own, Jeevanpran Shree Abji Bapashree and Sadguru Shree Ishwarcharandasji Swamibapa established the Satsang Mahasabha thus protecting the Temple assets and protecting the true and unadulterated principles of Lord Swaminarayan.

Jeevanpran Shree Abji Bapashree withdrew his divine human darshan on Ashad Sud 5 at Vrushpur.

Jeevanpran Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa arrived in Saraspur, Ahmedabad, and met Shree Ishwarcharandasji Swamibapa for the first time.

Shree Ishwarcharandasji Swamibapa initiated Jeevanpran Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa as a sant on Kartik Sud 11 at Saraspur.

In this year, Jeevanpran Swamibapa first went to Kutch to give strength and guidance to the satsangees of Kutch.

A religious conference/ debate was held at Ahmedabad on Chaitra Sud 9 by the heretics of Ahmedabad Mandir. Their aim was to defame Shree Abji Bapashree and His great works, Shree Rahasyartha Pradipika Tika Sah Vachnamrut, Shree Abji Bapashree ni Vato, Shree Purushottam Leelamrut Sukhsagar etc. However, in the presence of Shree Ishwarcharandasji Swamibapa and especially the speaches by Jeevanpran Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa, all their aims failed.

In an aim to defame Jeevanpran Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa, heretics instigated a plan to remove him from the Mandir at Kadi on 4th October. Once again, their plans all failed.

Sadguru Shree Ishwarcharandasji Swamibapa established Shree Swaminarayan Sidhant Uttejak Trust. Under this Trust, land was purchased in Maninagar, Ahmedabad. In the same year Shree Ishwarcharandasji Swamibapa and Jeevanpran Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa laid the foundation stone for the Mandir.

Shree Ishwarcharandasji Swamibapa entrusted Jeevanpran Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa with the key to aatyantik moksha and appointed him as the leader of the entire Swaminarayan religion. Hence, Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa was made Acharya of Shree Swaminarayan Gadi.

Shree Ishwarcharandasji Swamibapa ceased to give darshan in his human form on Aso Vad Amaas.

Withdrawal of the divine human form of Shree Ishwarcharandasji Swami on Aso Vad Amaas

Acharya Shree Purushottampriyadasji Swamishree gave darshan upon this earth on the 28th May, adhik jeth sud 13, in Bharasar, Kutch.

Jeevanpran Swamibapa performed the pratishta (installation) of Lord Swaminarayan, Shree Abji Bapashree and Sadguru Shree Ishwarcharandasji Swamibapa at Chhatri, Vrushpur. This was the first murti of Bapashree to be installed in a Mandir.

Jeevanpran Swamibapa performed the murti pratishta of Shree Swaminarayan Bhagwan and Shree Abji Bapashree in Maninagar Mandir on Fagan Sud 3.

Jeevanpran Swamibapa sat in continuous meditation for 12 days at Maninagar Mandir.

Jeevanpran Swamibapa sat in continuous meditation for 31 days at Maninagar Mandir.

Jeevanpran Swamibapa established Shree Swaminarayan Sidhant Sajivan Mandal at Ghanshyamnagar (Dahisara) Kutch.

Shree Ishwar Sadvidyashram (Swaminarayan Boarding) was opened by Jeevanpran Swamibapa at Maninagar.

Swamibapa's first foreign tour to East Africa. This was a revolutionary event. Up till then, it was felt that no Swaminarayan sadhu could leave India and go to foreign lands. Jeevanpran Swamibapa was the first to do so.

A huge festival was held in Chhatri, Vrushpur, to celebrate Shree Abji Bapashree's Centenary.

Jeevanpran Swamibapa sat in continuous meditation for 13 days.

The Mandir in Maninagar was demolished and a huge new sikhar bandh Mandir was erected. On Falgun sud 3 of this year, Jeevanpran Swamibapa performed to murti pratishta of Shree Ghanshyam Maharaj, Shree Harikrishna Maharaj, Shree Sahajanand Swami Maharaj and Jeevanpran Shree Abji Bapashree in the new Mandir.

This year marked the fiftieth year since Jeevanpran Swamibapa manifested upon this earth. To mark this auspicious occassion, a huge festival, the Suvarna Jayanti (Golden Jubillee) Mahotsav was held in Maninagar. Jeevanpran Swamibapa was seated upon a magnificently decorated elephant and a procession was held throughout the major streets of Ahmedabad. Jeevanpran Swamibapa was weighed against gold. This gold was then used for the welfare of the society at large. Hence, schools, colleges, hospitals etc. were founded from the proceeds of the Mahotsav.

Jeevanpran Swamibapa performed the inauguration of Shree Swaminarayan Arts and Science Colleges at Ahmedabad in the presence of Dr Radakrishna (President of India).

Jeevanpran Swamibapa started the Swaminarayan Boarding at Bhuj - Kutch. Jeevanpran Swamibapa was selected as the President of the Akhil Bharat Sadhu Samaj, Gujarat and the Vice president of the All India Akhil Bharat Sadhu Samaj. This national organisation of the ascetic sants of India was set up to develop and propogate moral standards and religion throughout India.

Jeevanpran Swamibapa initiated Acharya Shree Purushottampriyadasji Swamishree as a sant at Maninagar Mandir.

In this year Jeevanpran Swamibapa completed sixty years since He had manifested upon this earth. To mark this auspicious occassion, the Platinum Jayanti Mahotsav was held in Maninagar. Jeevanpran Swamibapa was weighed against platinum, the proceeds of which were spent on the establishment of numerous socially beneficial projects.

The Rajat Pratishta Mahotsav (Silver Jubillee Festival) of Shree Swaminarayan Mandir at Maninagar was celebrated. Shree Swaminarayan Bal-mandir, Prathamik Shala, and High School; Shree Muktajeevan Auditorium,Shree Abji Bapashree Granthalay (Library) were also opened at Maninagar.

Jeevanpran Swamibapa embarked on His first Intercontinental tour. Swamibapa traveled to Europe and America. The Shat Rajat Jayanti Mahotsav (125 years) of Jeevanpran Shree Abji Bapashree and Fortieth Diksha (initiation) Mahotsav of Jeevanpran Swamibapa were celebrated with tremendous grandure in this year.

Jeevanpran Swamibapa sat in continuous meditation for 61 days at Maninagar.

The Suvarna Jayanti Smruti Mahotsav was held in Maninagar. Jeevanpran Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa gave a physical embodiment to the Supreme and Eternal Divine throne of Lord Swaminarayan - Shree Swaminarayan Gadi.

The Jeevanpran Swamibapa Amrut Mahotsav and the Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Pancham Varshiya Mahotsav was held in Maninagar to mark the seventieth year since Jeevanpran Swamibapa manifested upon this earth and the fifth year since Jeevanpran Swamibapa gave the Swaminarayan Gadi a physical embodiment. Jeevanpran Swamibapa was weighed against 5 types of precious metals and stones. Once again, all the proceeds were used for the welfare of the society.

Jeevanpran Swamibapa opened a huge Mandir in the city of Baroda.

Jeevanpran Swamibapa opened a huge Mandir and guest house in the capital city New Delhi. It was in this Mandir that Jeevanpran Swamibapa performed the revolutionary act of installing His own marble murti in the main sinhasan of the Mandir. Prior to this, it was only Shree Swaminarayan Bhagwan that had installed His own murti.

His Holiness Jeevanpran Swamibapa nominated Shree Purushottampriyadasji Swami as His successor and entrusted him with the key to aatyantik moksha. Thus Shree Purushottampriyadasji Swamishree became Acharya of Shree Swaminarayan Gadi.

Jeevanpran Swamibapa's third tour to the United Kingdom. It was during this visit that Jeevanpran Swamibapa ceased to give darshan in a human state. This episode of Swamibapa's leela occurred in Bolton on the 30^th August. Jeevanpran Swamibapa's murti was taken to Maninagar where His Holiness Acharya Swamishree performed the agnisanskar vidhi (cremation ceremony). At the exact space where this took place, Acharya Swamishree instigated the creation of Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa Smruti Mandir.

The first major festival for His Holiness Acharya Swamishree was the Bicentenary celebrations of Lord Swaminarayan. This 15 day long Mahotsav was held in Maninagar.

His Holiness Acharya Swamishree embarked on His first International tour in this year. He travelled to the UK to perform the opening of the new temple at Golders Green, London.

His Holiness Acharya Swamishree performed the opening of Shree Muktajeevan Sevashram (health centre) at Bhuj.

His Holiness Acharya Swamishree performed the opening of the Swaminarayan Higher Secondary School with Science and General Streams at Maninagar.

The Silver Jubilee celebrations of the Temple in Bhuj were held in April of this year.

His Holiness Acharya Swamishree embarked upon the first tour of the USA where established the Shree Swaminarayan Sidhant Sajivan Mandal, USA.

His Holiness Acharya Swamishree performed the opening of a grand new temple and a guest house at Mahalaxmi, Bombay.

His Holiness Acharya Swamishree performed the opening of a new temple at Kheda, the manifestation place of Jeevanpran Swamibapa.

His Holiness Acharya Swamishree performed the opening of a new temple and a guest house at Mount Abu.

His Holiness Acharya Swamishree performed the opening of the magnificent Swamibapa Smruti Mandir at Godasar, Ahmedabad on 7th Oct. This Memorial to Gurudev Swamibapa was opened in the presence of Dr Shankardayal Sharma (President of India).

The Suvarna Jayanti Mahotsav (Golden Jubillee) of Shree Ghanshyam Maharaj at Shree Swaminarayan Temple at Maninagar was commemorated with great splendor.

This year marked 150 years since Jeevanpran ShreeAbji Bapashree gave darshan upon this earth. To mark this ocassion, His Holiness Acharya Swamishree celebrated the Sat Suvarna Mahotsav at Maninagar.

His Holiness Acharya Swamishree embarked on a tour to the Far Eastern countries and Australia.

The Rajat Mahotsav of Shree Swaminarayan Gadi (a festival marking 25 years since Jeevanpran Swamibapa gave Shree Swaminarayan Gadi a physical embodiment) was held in Maninagar. Acharya Swamishree opened the newly re-built Shree Ishwar Sadvidyashram (Swaminarayan Boarding). His Holiness Acharya Swamishree initiated the celebrations of Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa Satabdi, a magnificent 10 year long festival commemorating the divine leela of Swamibapa. It will culminate with a magnanimous festival in the year 2007.