Ashad Sud Poonam is the day of the auspicious occasion of Gurupoonam, and this year was marked on Saturday 24th July. Being one of the three main annual festivals of the Swaminarayan sampradaya, it is a celebration marked by Shree Swaminarayan Gadi communities around the world. On this day, disciples gather and pay homage to Gurudev Jeevanpran Swamibapa.
The Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Kingsbury community marked this occasion both at the Mandir, and given the current worldwide circumstances, through a special online Sabha from their homes.
A Swagat Yatra led by Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa Pipe Band, which saw Swamibapa held aloft in a golden palanquin by disciples and brought into the Mandir, commenced the evening’s celebrations; while the Mandir remained open all day earlier for visitors to have the darshan of Lord Shree Swaminarayanbapa Swamibapa and Acharya Swamishree Maharaj, and offer poojan .
After the Swagat Yatra entered the Mandir, the drummers of the Pipe Band performed a salute to Gurudev Jeevanpran Swamibapa, before He and Acharya Swamishree Maharaj were each adorned with a beautiful chaadar and moogat made from fresh flowers. The sponsors for today’s celebrations then offered poojan to Jeevanpran Swamibapa and Acharya Swamishree Maharaj, and performed aarti. An array of cakes, sweets and savouries were offered Lord Shree Swaminarayanbapa Swamibapa and Acharya Swamishree Maharaj on this most auspicious of occasions.
The rest of event, including a special Ashirwad video and the offering of aartis from the wider Mandir community, took place online.