When Lord Shree Swaminarayan was the age of eleven years, three months and one day, on Samvat 1849 Ashadh Sud 10 (Friday 29th June 1792), He assumed the guise of a Sage, Shree Nilkanthvarni and left His home in Ayodhya, leaving behind all but the necessary possessions. He carried: a munj-mekhla – a grass waistband; japmala – a rosary; a kamandalu – a water pot made of gourd; a bhikhsha-patra – a small bowl made of wood meant for eating food; a Shaligram – a small round stone worshipped as an idol of God; and a gutko – a small booklet containing extracts from Hindu scriptures. His aim was to embark on a forest expedition (van-vicharan) to bestow salvation upon innumerable souls. During His journey to all the pilgrimage sites of North and West India and Nepal, Shree Nilkanthvarni travelled over 12,000km by foot. He performed acts of strict austerity, such as standing on one foot in the intense cold during constant snowfall. He plunged Himself into fast flowing rivers and let their current carry Him away. After a remarkable journey lasting seven years one month and eleven days, on Samvat 1856 Shravan Vad 6 (Thursday 21st August 1799), Shree Nilkanthvarni reached Gujarat the village of Loj, where He went to live at the ashram of Shree Muktanand Swami.

With the encouragement of Gnan-mahodadhi Acharya Swamiji Maharaj, a group of over 650 sants and disciples will travel back to some of these sacred regions where Shree Nilkanthvarni visited and performed austerities. As part of this 13 day Shree Nilkanthvarni Smruti Yatra, held from 24 September to 06 October 2023, Acharya Swamiji Maharaj and the group will travel to Gorakhpur, Chintvan, Kathmandu, Pokhra, Jomsam, Bhairva, Ayodhya, and the surrounding regions.

Playlist Write about your experience

Vicharan Itinerary