Sunday 10 December 2023 | Kartik Vad 12, Samvat 2080

Sun 10 Dec 2023

Gurupoornima - Africa

Gurupoornima - Nairobi

This year the occasion of Gurupoonam was portrayed on Monday the 3rd of July 2023. 
Devotees in Nairobi, Mombasa and Kampala celebrated this day with great joy. On this day devotees adorn The Lord with their love and affection. They show their gratitude towards their “Guru” for the religious teachings and spiritual knowledge that they receive from Him.

Jeevanpran Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa explains the precise meaning of the Sanskrit word guru; ‘Gu’ means andhkaar (darkness) and “Ru’ means prakash (light). Thus, he who enlightens the ignorant, i.e., shines light to those in darkness, is called a Guru. It is only Lord SwaminarayanBapa Swamibapa that can enlighten us ignorant souls to the supreme bliss of eternal happiness, the endless peace of the supreme Lord. Thus our supreme Guru can only be Lord SwaminarayanBapa Swamibapa.

The day’s activities commenced from 5:30pm with Sandhya Niyams and Kirtan Bhakti. Thereafter, was a Swagat Yatra from H.H. Swamibapa Hall. Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa was elegantly escorted out from H.H. Swamibapa Hall on a Palanquin after which Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa Pipe Band - Nairobi saluted Him a guard of honour. The Band led the Swagat Yatra towards the temple. Closely following the band were ‘Sahi Swagat’ members carrying ceremonial offerings of dry fruits, fresh fruits and flower garlands followed by Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa himself, who was escorted to the temple hall, on a palanquin carried by the sponsors of the event. Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa’s Palanquin was gracefully placed where the members of ‘Sahi Swagat’ presented their offerings at the lotus feet of Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa followed by aarti. The temple poojari performed the cake cutting ceremony and offered cake to Lord SwaminarayanBapa Swamibapa. 

On this auspicious day all the devotees then pleased Lord Swaminarayanbapa Swamibapa, Prem Murti Bapa and Acharya Shree Jitendriyapriyadasji Swamiji Maharaj by offering poojan and aarti .
The Day concluded with Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa’s Divine Ashirwad and Prasad being served to all.

Gurupoonam Celebrations in Nairobi - 3rd July 2023