Sunday 10 December 2023 | Kartik Vad 12, Samvat 2080

Sun 10 Dec 2023

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.

Vicharan Itinerary

Day
Date
Program
Overnight Stay
1
24 September 2023
Arrive at Gorakhpur
Gorakhpur
2
25 September 2023
Morning - Gorakhpur to Saloni Border - Saloni Boder to Bhairwa
Afternoon - Lubni - Bhagwan Bunu Jamthal, Sam Sabha Bhoon Thale
Bhairahawa
3
26 September 2023
Ekadashi
Morning - Bhairahawa to Kathmandu
Kathmandu
4
27 September 2023
Morning - Pashupatinath Dashan - Pearl Shopping
Afternoon - Swayambhunath – Bundra Nilkanth – Bundra Stupa
Kathmandu
5
28 September 2023
Morning - Patan Durbar Visit
Afternoon - Excursion - Shop
Kathmandu
6
29 September 2023
Morning - Departure from Kathmandu to Pokhara
Pokhara
7
30 September 2023
Morning - Sarangkot (Sunrise Point) Gupteshwar Mahadev Mandir Darshan - Devis Water Fall - Vrindavan Temple - Phewa Lake (Boating)
Pokhara
8
1 October 2023
Morning - leave Pokhara at 6:00am for Jomsom
Jomsom
9
2 October 2023
Morning - Depart from Jomsom at 6:00am for Pulhashram Dashan (26 km)
Lunch at Jomsom - Departure from Jomsom to Pokhara
Pokhara
10
3 October 2023
After Lunch - Depart from Pokhara to Bhairava
Evening Sabha
Bhairava
11
4 October 2023
Morning – Bhairava to Chappaiya
Afternoon – Leave for Ayodhya
Ayodhya
12
5 October 2023
Morning - Ramlala Darshan - Ram Janma bhumi – Newly constructed Mandir Darshan - Hanuman Gathi - Sarayu River Snaan and Guy Pooja - Sita Mata's Kitchen
Evening Sabha
Ayodhya
13
6 October 2023
Afternoon - Depart for Lucknow airport