On June 15th, 2014, disciples celebrated Father’s Day in the presence of His Divine Holiness Acharya Swamishree and sants at Shree Swaminarayan Temple, Secaucus, New Jersey. Acharya Swamishree and sants had returned to Secaucus following their visits to Shree Swaminarayan Temple, Los Angeles, California, the first hari-mandir in the United States located in Seattle, Washington, and lastly, Norfolk and Hampton, Virginia.

At the start of the event, Acharya Swamishree greeted senior Bharatiya Janatya Party (BJP) members Shree Parshottambhai Rupala and Shree Rameshwarbhai Chaurasiya. Swamibapa Pipe Band welcomed the honorary guests upon their arrival outside the temple and then escorted the guests and Acharya Swamishree into the temple before saluting Acharya Swamishree and all honorary guests. Inside the temple hall, Acharya Swamishree and both Indian dignitaries exchanged formal regards and presented each other with flower garlands. Given the chance to address the sabha of hundreds of disciples, both party leaders emphasized the extensive charity work of Maninagar Shree Swaminaryan Gadi Sansthan and complimented Acharya Swamishree as a guru and leader in His success in instilling important religious and cultural values in our youth today.

In honor of the occasion, Acharya Swamishree blessed the audience with a special Father’s Day ashirwad. Reminding disciples that every day is Father’s Day, Acharya Swamishree discoursed on our inherent obligations to Lord Swaminaryanbapa Swamibapa who is the Father of all.

Following ashirwad, Acharya Swamishree cut a special Father’s Day cake before the continuation of the rest of the evening program. Thereafter, disciples gave speeches on select Father’s Day topics ranging from the history of Father’s Day to the religious implications in our karan satsang.

After the conclusion of the special speeches, disciples of Shree Swaminarayan Temple Delaware (S.S.S.S.M. Mid-Atlantic, U.S.A.) entered the temple hall to the kirtan “Mara Man Gamta Ghanshyam, Padharo Mare Ghare Padharo” and walked down the aisle as a group towards Acharya Swamishree’s gadi. Young disciples in front carried in hand an ornately-decorated invitation. The disciples collectively presented an official invitation to Acharya Swamishree, requested He grace Shree Swaminarayan Temple Delaware with His divine presence from July 4 through July 6, 2014 for the temple’s Murti Pratishtha Mahotsav and the Diamond Tula of Shree Hairkrushna Maharaj. Acharya Swamishree joyously opened the invitation and accepted the disciples’ humble request.

Thereafter, all disciples were given the opportunity to perform aarti to Lord Swaminarayanbapa Swamibapa. Mahaprasad and candy, consecrated by Acharya Swamishree, was distributed to all to conclude the 2014 Father’s Day celebrations at Shree Swaminarayan Temple New Jersey.