Sunday 29 May 2022 | Vaishakh Vad 14, Samvat 2078
Sun 29 May 2022
The month when we are blessed with the Lord's Chandan darshan commences Vaishakh Sud 3. This year, this day fell on Tuesday 3rd May 2022.
"The Murti in Akshardham, the Murti that came onto this Earth as a human form, and the pratima Murti (God in the form of paintings, statues, idols etc) are one and the same. Between them, there is not one iota of difference."
Jeevanpran Shree Abji Bapashree.
Chandan Darshan - Maninagar 12-5-2022
The Sants and disciples express and demonstrate their love and devotion unto the Lord through their varied worship of this pratima form of the supreme Lord Shree Swaminarayan. Lord Shree Swaminarayan says that the worship of God should be appropriate to and vary according to the times of the day and the seasons. For example, in cold weather, the Lord is adorned with warm clothes and heavy gold and silver ornaments. Hot, warming food and drink are offered to the Lord. In the hot seasons, God is offered more refreshing food and dressed in much lighter clothing. Flowery and fragrant garlands are offered.
At this time of year, the temperatures in Gujarat can reach over 40°C. Therefore, the highly talented Sants in demonstrate their devotion unto Lord Shree Swaminarayan by adorning Him with clothing made of sandalwood paste. This highly fragrant sandalwood has a very cooling and soothing effect. The Sants artistically mould beautiful regal clothes and ornaments out of the paste. This sandalwood is subsequently removed and formed into lozenges, which is then used throughout the year for the impression of the tilaks by the Sants and disciples.
The start of the Chandan darshan commences on the auspiscious day of Akha Trij, Vaishakh Sud 3. This year, this day fell on Tuesday 3rd May 2022.
Acharya Shree Jitendriyapriyadasji Swamiji Maharaj is the current spiritual leader of Maninagar Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan. He is the heir to Acharya Shree Purushottampriyadasji Swamishree Maharaj, and sixth in the lineage of ascetic Acharyas, which descends directly from Lord Shree Swaminarayan.