Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Maninagar

Jeevanpran Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa established the Headquarters of Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan, Shree Swaminarayan Mandir, Maninagar and installed the divine murti of Shree Ghanshyam Maharaj on Samvat 2000 Falgun sud 3, Saturday 26th February 1944. The Hirak Jayanti (Diamond Jubilee), 60th anniversary, of this auspicious event will be celebrated with great honour and ceremony.

Shree Swaminarayan Temple, Maninagar is:

• The true abode of Sarvavatari Purna Purushottam Lord Swaminarayan.
• The heart of the Swaminarayan Karan Satsang.
• The headquarters of Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan.
• The source from which the true, unadulterated principles of Lord Swaminarayan and Jeevanpran Shree Abji Bapashree are spread throughout the world.
• The fountain from which the supreme tenets of Lord SwaminarayanBapa Swamibapa flows.
• The origin of true upasana towards Lord Swaminarayan.
• The gateway through which religious devotion and service reaches the divine lotus feet of Lord Swaminarayan.

Purpose of Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Maninagar

Lord Swaminarayan Himself established the supreme Swaminarayan Satsang on this earth. As time went on, an increasing number of people had begun to misinterpret the principles of Lord Swaminarayan to suit their selfish and egotistical motives. The true, supreme teachings of Lord Swaminarayan, so eloquently taught by Jeevanpran Bapashree, were being erased from all existence.

To overcome these obstacles to worshipping the Lord, Sadguru Shree Ishwarcharandasji Swamibapa decided that it was time to establish a separate Centre. From here, the true supremacy of Lord Swaminarayan could be freely understood and the teachings of Jeevanpran Bapashree could be preserved. Lord Swaminarayan's true disciples could pray in peace and harmony.

Jeevanpran Shree Abji Bapashree created the Satsang Mahasabha for the reformation and protection of the religious and administrative affairs of the Satsang. Sadguru Shree Ishwar Bapa decided that is was time to establish a permanent home for the Satsang Mahasabha.

To fulfil all these reasons, Sadguru Shree Ishwar Bapa inspired the creation of the Maninagar Headquarters.

Purchase of the Land

Lord Swaminarayan Himself established the supreme Swaminarayan Satsang on this earth. As time went on, an increasing number of people had begun to misinterpret the principles of Lord Swaminarayan to suit their selfish and egotistical motives. The true, supreme teachings of Lord Swaminarayan, so eloquently taught by Jeevanpran Bapashree, were being erased from all existence.

To overcome these obstacles to worshipping the Lord, Sadguru Shree Ishwarcharandasji Swamibapa decided that it was time to establish a separate Centre. From here, the true supremacy of Lord Swaminarayan could be freely understood and the teachings of Jeevanpran Bapashree could be preserved. Lord Swaminarayan's true disciples could pray in peace and harmony.

Jeevanpran Shree Abji Bapashree created the Satsang Mahasabha for the reformation and protection of the religious and administrative affairs of the Satsang. Sadguru Shree Ishwar Bapa decided that is was time to establish a permanent home for the Satsang Mahasabha.

To fulfil all these reasons, Sadguru Shree Ishwar Bapa inspired the creation of the Maninagar Headquarters.

Laying the Foundation Stone

On Samvat 1998 Magsar Sud 15 (Wednesday 3rd December 1941), the foundation stone ceremony of Shree Swaminarayan Temple Maninagar was performed.

The murti of Purna Purushottam Shree Swaminarayan Bhagwan and Shree Harikrishna Maharaj were seated on a raised platform under the same mango tree where Shree Ishwar Bapa stood in meditation.

Shree Ishwar Bapa performs the Mahapooja ceremony.

The foundation stone ceremony was conducted by the Brahmin Shree Jaganathbhai Joshi. Shree Ishwar Bapa performed the Mahapooja ceremony accompanied by Jeevanpran Swamibapa, Sadguru Shree Vrundavandasji Swami, Baldevdas Parekh, Hirjibhai Chawda and Chandrasankar Trivedi. Throughout the entire ceremony, Shree Ishwar Bapa kept Jeevanpran Swamibapa in a prominent position, on his right hand side. This was to signify the huge responsibility that he was giving to Jeevanpran Swamibapa. Following the Mahapooja, Shree Ishwar Bapa and Jeevanpran Swamibapa went down into the dug hole and laid the first foundation stone.

Sadguru Shree Ishwar Bapa's Ashirwad

After placing the foundation stone, Sadguru Shree Ishwar Bapa went back to the mango tree and showered His divine ashirwad on the congregated devotees.

Shree Ishwar Bapa said,

I then prayed to Jeevanpran Bapashree, 'With your divine blessings and inspiration, I, your humble servant will do precisely as you command. But Bapa, you are showing signs of old age, who will look after this supreme Headquarters? Who will spread these supreme tenets throughout the world?'

Jeevanpran Bapashree became extremely pleased and said, 'Swami, in the Vachanamrut it says that there is no reason for Us to come onto this earth. However, We will again create a reason to manifest and return to this earth. The preservation of this headquarters will be the reason for Our return. We will come in the form of a Sant to protect this divine place, and you will lay its foundation stone.'

Lord Shree Swaminarayan, Jeevanpran Abji Bapashree, my beloved guru Sadguru Shree Nirgundasji Swamibapa and I, together with infinite muktas, will remain here forever, at this very site. We consider this site to be our home.

This place is equivalent to Akshardham.

The supreme cause of all incarnations, the creator of all, Purna Purushottam Shree Swaminarayan Bhagwan will remain here forever.

From this site, innumerable souls will attain atyantik moksh.

All those who humbly offer their service and devotion at this site will remain prosperous, in both this life and the next.

The true glory of this site is indescribable; whatever we say about it, will never be enough to describe its significance.

The foundations we have laid today run deep, all the way to the Earth's core. They are so unyielding that no one can ever loosen them.

The supreme principles of the Karan Satsang and the divine unadulterated teachings of Lord Shree Swaminarayan will thrive from here and be spread to all regions of the world. Many grand festivals will be held here, at which hundreds of thousands of devotees will gather.

Shree Ishwar Bapa's then explained the significance of this particular site.

Surakhachar humbly asked the Lord, "Oh Maharaj, why is this particular tree so fortunate? Every time You pass through this land, You always remember it and sit beneath it. And only then do you continue your journey." Shreejimaharaj replied, "My dear sants travel everywhere, enduring hardship, suffering and abuse. Despite all these obstacles, they unfalteringly continue to spread My teachings. Still, there are many that do not understand My supreme principles. In order that My teachings are spread throughout the entire world, a unique and unparalleled Centre will be established on this land. I will remain here forever, with My divine muktas. The continuous stream of atyaantik moksh will flow from here."

As soon as Shree Ishwar Bapa said these words, a brilliant lustre emanated from the murti of Shree Harikrishna Maharaj. Within this divine light, the entire sabha witnessed Lord Swaminarayan seated upon a magnificent throne. Everyone became immensely delighted to have witnessed this divine darshan.

Shree Ishwar Bapa continued,

Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa will be responsible for this site. Have trust in Him, and serve Him well.

Having described the immense glory of the Maninagar Headquarters, Shree Ishwar Bapa concluded his ashirwad. He then performed vartman to the mango tree and distributed prasad to the entire congregation.

This special mango tree, under which Lord Swaminarayan used to sit, is the precise location from where Shree Ghanshyam Maharaj gives darshan today.

Jeevanpran Swamibapa's First Night in Maninagar

By the command of Shree Ishwar Bapa, Jeevanpran Swamibapa toured throughout Gujarat to keep the disciples of the Satsang Mahasabha loyal and adherent to the faith.

On one occasion, Jeevanpran Swamibapa was in Ahmedabad. Swamibapa wanted to see the progress of Maninagar Temple's construction. He travelled by foot from Saraspur towards Maninagar. Up to Raipur Gate and Kamnath Mahadev there were no problems as it was light. However, by the time Swamibapa reached Kankaria Lake, it had become dark and there was no street lighting. Swamibapa walked along the bank of Kankaria Lake trying to find the road that led to Maninagar. Swamibapa walked around the lake 3 times. Eventually, he picked one road and took the chance. Indeed, it was the correct road to Maninagar. Jeevanpran Swamibapa reached the main gate of the land of Maninagar Temple. There was a small wooden door, through which Swamibapa entered the grounds. At the middle of the land was a small bungalow-type of building. This was to be the Temple. All around, there were mango trees. The floor was laden with fallen mango tree leaves. As Swamibapa walked over the dry leaves, they crackled. It was if they were all applauding his arrival.

There was a narrow platform at the exact site that Shree Hanumanji gives darshan today. Swamibapa dusted it with a cloth and rested there for the night. This was Swamibapa's first night in Maninagar.

The next morning, Jeevanpran Swamibapa inspected the building work and then continued his tour of Gujarat.

Jeevanpran Swamibapa's Arrival in Maninagar

Shree Ishwar Bapa had entrusted the responsibility of Kadi Temple to Jeevanpran Swamibapa and so he mostly stayed there. However, after Shree Ishwar Bapa withdrew his human darshan, Jeevanpran Swamibapa decided that it was time to develop the site at Maninagar; the foundation stone of which had been laid by Shree Ishwar Bapa - the site which Shree Ishwar Bapa had entrusted to him.

On Samvat 1999 Shravan vad 4, Jeevanpran Swamibapa left Kadi with one sant. They arrived at Ahmedabad Station after sunset. By foot, they reached Maninagar. Swamibapa cleaned one room and placed Shree Harikrishna Maharaj on a platform.

As they had come by bus, they had to fast, so their food was not an issue. However, they did not have anything to offer Shree Harikrishna Maharaj. They had no milk or fruit. All that they could offer the Lord was water.

In the morning, when it was light, Jeevanpran Swamibapa looked around the grounds. There were 3 long rooms. All were completely empty except for one room, in the corner of which was a sack of coal. Beside it, was an empty kerosene tin. Swamibapa laughed, "This will be our saucepan!"

Swamibapa looked around for something to cut the tin. Eventually, he found a rusty chunk of metal, which he used to cut open the tin. A sant went to take coal from the sack. As he opened the sack, a line of scorpions emerged from it and fell to the floor. The scorpions did not sting the sant, but instead walked away in a straight line. Jeevanpran Swamibapa said, "These are not ordinary scorpions. They represent the abundant, overflowing wealth that will arise from here." Jeevanpran Swamibapa started chanting the Swaminarayan name. One by one, the scorpions magically disappeared.

Jeevanpran Swamibapa sent for a murti of Shree Sahajanand Swami Maharaj from the home of Shree Chandrasankarbhai and a murti of Shree Abji Bapashree from the home of Shree Baldevbhai.

Raw khichdi (lentils) was also sent from Chandrasankarbhai's home. Swamibapa washed the lentils in a piece of cloth and cooked it in the kerosene tin.

There were no passageways between the three rooms, but instead, there were deep ditches. Several steps had to be climbed in order to reach each room. Swamibapa chose one room for installing the murtis and thoroughly cleaned and washed it. He then installed the 2 murtis. In reality, today was the day of the murti pratishtha, and a grand ankut should be offered to the Lord. However, all that Swamibapa could offer the Lord was plain khichdi. He did not even have any ghee to add to the khichdi. Even if he had some ghee, there was no point. It would only have run through the patravala (plate made of leaves). Swamibapa did not even have a plate on which to serve the khichdi to the Lord. There was no spoon to take the khichdi out of the tin and place it on the patravala. Swamibapa formed a cone using a patravala, and scooped out some khichdi. Jeevanpran Swamibapa offered this khichdi to the Lord.

Whatever the Lord consumes, He does so, not looking at the food, but acknowledging the love and devotion of the individual who makes the offering. Still, as Swamibapa offered the khichdi to the Lord, he felt ashamed to give such a lowly offering on such a special occasion.

Just then, a voice was heard. Shree Ghanshyam Maharaj spoke and said to Swamibapa, "Look up! Do not feel shame. Due to your love for Me, I have accepted your offering. Now you eat the prasad. I have made it prasad. It now contains all the divine tastes. No other offering could have been more special than this. Do not be sad. I am extremely pleased with you."

Jeevanpran Swamibapa opened his eyes. A divine light emerged from the murtis.

These 2 murtis, are the very same murtis that give darshan today in the main Mandir, behind Shree Sahajanand Swami Maharaj.

By the end of the day, news of Jeevanpran Swamibapa's arrival in Maninagar spread throughout Ahmedabad. Everyone came to know that the supreme murtis of Lord Swaminarayan and Jeevanpran Bapashree had been installed in Maninagar Temple.

Many sankhya yogi ladies lived in the Vahelal district of Ahmedabad. They had remained faithful to the Satsang Mahasabha and Jeevanpran Bapashree. Consequently, they were thrown out of Kalupur, Ahmedabad Temple . Their poojas and clothes were tossed out of the windows and they were left on the streets, without anywhere to go. Shree Chaturbhai took them to his empty bungalow in Vahelal and allowed them to live there. Amongst these sankhya yogi ladies were Baashree Mongibaa, Chancharbaa, Jivkorbaa, Mahalaxmibaa, Lalitabaa and Balubaa.

These sankhya yogi ladies heard that Jeevanpran Swami made the first thaar of khichdi in an old kerosene tin. They became extremely upset by this. "The protector of the divine Karan Satsang has to endure so much hardship!"

The sankhya yogi ladies gathered all the required utensils and raw food, and filled a cart. This was then sent to Maninagar. Every few days, they sent someone to see what Jeevanpran Swamibapa required. The person always returned saying, "Swamibapa says he does not need anything." The sankhya yogi ladies said, "Swamibapa is a pure ascetic. He will never ask for anything. You must go and look around. Find out for yourself what is running out and come back and tell us."

These sankha yogi ladies had a deep respect for Jeevanpran Swamibapa, because by the grace of the supreme Lord, they had recognised who he was.

Arrival of Shree Ghanshyam Maharaj

Jeevanpran Swamibapa installed the painted murtis of Lord Swaminarayan and Jeevanpran Bapashree in Maninagar Temple. However, the beautifully sculptured murti of Shree Ghanshyam Maharaj was still remained to be install here.

Swamibapa enquired about the progress of sculpting the murti. It was being made in Jaipur and was nearly ready. So Swamibapa decided to hold the murti pratishtha on Aso sud 10, Vijya Dashmi. This day was fast approaching. There was a lot of work still to complete before the murti pratistha could take place; a new sinhasan had to be crafted, and more painted murtis needed to be made.

Jeevanpran Swamibapa started all this preparatory work. He gave the work of creating a grand sinhasan to Shree Lallubhai and Chhaganbhai of Kadi. They carved an intricate wooden sinhasan, according to Swamibapa's instructions. A highly talented artist, Shree Ganpatbhai was commissioned to paint the other murtis, according to Jeevanpran Swamibapa's guidance.

One day, Jeevanpran Swamibapa was travelling to Karjisan to meet Shree Vrundavandasji Swami. Swamibapa was deep in thought as he travelled on the back of a cart. He remembered all the hardships that the disciples had been subjected to. Jeevanpran Swamibapa became extremely emotional.

All of a sudden, an intense lustre emerged from the sky and said, "Remove your sadness. You are not alone. Prepare for My arrival with enthusiasm and delight. I will arrive there, on Falgun sud 3." These were the words of Lord Swaminarayan.

This made Swamibapa think. "Falgun sud 3? But the murti pratishtha is earlier, on Vijya Dashmi! Why did Shree Ghanshyam Maharaj say Falgun sud 3?"

As Swamibapa deliberated about the Lord's words, Karjisan arrived. Swamibapa went for the darshan of Shree Vrundavandasji Swami. Swamibapa wanted to take this opportunity to invite Shree Vrundavandasji Swami to the murti pratishtha ceremony. However, Shree Vrundavandasji Swami asked him to postpone the ceremony because he was in discussions with 'elders' in the Sampradaya to resolve the unsettlement. Swamibapa obeyed Shree Vrundavandasji Swami's wishes and postponed the murti pratishtha to Falgun sud 3, the date that Lord Swaminarayan had said.

A message arrived from Jaipur. The murti was ready and they were trying to send it by rail. The message said, "The murti is in a wooden case and is sitting on the platform of Jaipur Station waiting for a train. However, there are no trains running from here at the moment." The murti sat on the platform for a long time. Then, a senior official was re-located from Jaipur to Ahmedabad and a special train was run to carry the official and his belongings. By error, the large wooden case sitting on the platform was loaded onto the train with the official's luggage.

In this manner, Shree Ghanshyam Maharaj arrived in Ahmedabad on a special, first class, luxury train.

At Ahmedabad Station, the guards read the name on the case and then sent a message to Maninagar Temple . They explained that it had been brought by mistake.

The case was brought to Maninagar. Jeevanpran Swamibapa opened the wooden casing. In it, was a beautiful crafted marble murti of Shree Ghanshyam Maharaj.

In His own extraordinary manner, Shree Ghanshyam Maharaj had finally arrived. That day was Aso sud 10, Vijya Dashmi, the very day that Jeevanpran Swamibapa had first decided to perform the murti pratishtha.

Murti Pratishtha Mahotsav

On Samvat 2000, Fagan Sud 3, Jeevanpran Swamibapa installed the divine murti of Lord Swaminarayan, Shree Ghanshyam Maharaj, Jeevanpran Bapashree and their Sankalpa Swaroops in Shree Swaminarayan Temple Maninagar, in accordance with the traditional ceremonial rites and the chanting of Vedic verses.

It had been estimated that at most, a thousand people would attend the festival. The quantity of food was prepared accordingly. However, when the assembly sat down, it numbered three thousand. Jeevanpran Swamibapa walked amongst the seated assembly giving His divine darshan. He went to the kitchen and placed prasad in the prepared food. Then it was served. The more food that was served, the more the quantity of food seemed to increase. It was served again and again. The amount of food did not diminish at all. In this manner, Lord Swaminarayan and Jeevanpran Swamibapa showed their divine prowess to all.

Jeevanpran Swamibapa had performed the historical task of installing the murtis in the Satsang's main temple - the centre of the Karan Satsang - Shree Swaminarayan Temple Maninagar.

The fulfilment of Lord Swaminarayan's prophesy - "Gopal Muni! Novel feats will be performed through the fourth in your succession" - had begun.

The words of Jeevanpran Bapashree - "We shall send you all a messenger from God. Through him, all will peacefully sing the glory of the Lord and attain Akshardham" - started to take meaning.

Patotsav Ceremony

On this day His Divine Holiness Acharya Swamishree performs the annual patotsav ceremony at Shree Swaminarayan Mandir - Maninagar.

Part of the ancient patotsav rituals involve performing "panchamrut snan" (bathing of the Lord with 5 nectars; milk, saffron, honey, sugar and yogurt). This occasion is the only day in the year when we are granted the darshan of the Lord without His robes.

His Divine Holiness Acharya Swamishree bathes Lord Shree Swaminarayan in the five nectars

His Divine Holiness Acharya Swamishree bathes Lord Shree Swaminarayan in the five nectars

His Divine Holiness Acharya Swamishree bathes Lord Shree Swaminarayan in the five nectars