The Bringing of Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa’s Eternal Flame Opens Second Day of Mahotsav
Over 200 members of the Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa Pipe Band were joined by dhol dummers from across the globe, for the truly unique sound that is only ever heard at Maninagar Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Santhan.
His Divine Holiness Acharya Swamishree Maharaj arrived at Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa Smruti Mandir for the first time during the Rajat Mahotsav today. As Acharya Swamishree Maharaj went into the Mandir, the worldwide Pipe Bands assembled on the lawn in arrangement that spelled out “World Peace”. Acharya Swamishree Maharaj released balloons in front of this ensemble as a prayer for world peace and unity – at the renowned world peace centre that is Smruti Mandir.
Acharya Swamishree Maharaj then returned to the Mandir to bring a flame – lit from the continuously burning flame that is in the innermost sanctum of the Mandir, which has been burning ever since the funeral ceremony of Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa – to the Sabha Mandap. The flame will remain lit in this way for the duration of the Mahotsav.
On exiting Smruti Mandir, Acharya Swamishree Maharaj presided on a gloriously decorated chariot, waiting were the mass assembled Shree Muktajeevan Pipe Bands from Maninagar, London, Bolton, Nairobi and New Jersey. The Band led Acharya Swamishree Maharaj into the Sabha Mandap and towards the Sinhasan, ending their performance with a salute to the Lord.
Disciples had the honour of performing Aarti to Lord Shree Swaminarayanbapa Swamibapa and Acharya Swamishree Maharaj, before a number of guests – eminent doctors and administrators from the local region came for Acharya Swamishree Maharaj’s Darshan. The congregation then enjoyed Acharya Swamishree Maharaj’s divine ashirwad. For highlights from today’s ashirwad, follow@SGadiManinagar
Kirtan bhakti CDs, “Chali Re Hun To Piyani Gali” and “Swaminarayan O Mere Bhagwan”, and the following scriptures were released this morning:
Scriptures Released Today
| # | Scripture | Author |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sarvopari Shree Swaminarayan Bhagwan – Part 3 | Sadguru Shree Sarveshwardasji Swami |
| 2 | Gujarati and English editions of Sarvopari Ananya Upasana | Acharya Shree Purushottampriyadasji Swamishree Maharaj |
| 3 | Gujarati and English versions of Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa’s Childhood Episodes | Acharya Shree Purushottampriyadasji Swamishree Maharaj |
| 4 | Sanskar Deepika Parts 6 and 7 (English) | Acharya Swamishree Purushottampriyadasji Maharaj |
| 5 | Sadguru Brahmachari Shree Aksharanand Swami ni Vato | Sadguru Brahmachari Shree Aksharanand Swami |
| 6 | Shree Sahajanand Swami Charitra (Fourth Edition) | Shree Sadguru Bhrahamchari Shree Atmanandji |
| 7 | Jeevan Pushpa Gujarati (Third Edition) | Sadguru Shree Sarveshwardasji Swami |
| 8 | Sarvopari Shree Swaminarayan Bhagwan Part 1 (Second Edition) | Sadguru Shree Sarveshwardasji Swami |
| 9 | Bhaktachintamani (Fourth Edition) | Vairagyamurti Shree Nishkulanand Swami |
| 10 | Shikshapatri (Ninteenth Edition) | Lord Shree Swaminarayan |
| 11 | Shreeji Samat Vishishtadwait Siddhant-sagar (Third Edition) | Purani Shree Dharmakishordas |
| 12 | Shree Purushottam-leelamrut Sukh-sagar (Fifth Edition) | Acharya Shree Purushottampriyadasji Swamishree Maharaj |
Opening Ceremony Goes Off With A Bang
Smruti Mandir was the backdrop to a spectacular array of light, sound and dance, which created one of the most memorable atmospheres of the Mahotsav so far.
Acharya Swamishree Maharaj emerged from the Mandir to a crowd of thousands. The five global Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa Pipe Bands were lined on forecourt and steps on all four sides of the Mandir.
Cheered on by His devoted disciples, Acharya Swamishree Maharaj then bloomed from the centre of a 'lotus' chariot. Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa Pipe Band London led Acharya Swamishree Maharaj in a pradakshina around the Mandir – collecting another Band as the procession passed each of them – to create a mass pipe band, in a truly unique demonstration of global peace and unity that this Maninage Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan stands for.
Flags waved from every tier and corner of the Mandir – flag bearers even managed to get to the very peak of the Mandir to wave flags from the golden kalas atop the sikhars. Fireworks lit up the night sky to the delight of the massive and excited crowd. The disciples of Maninagar then led an energetic, and literally sparkling, dance on the lawn of the Mandir.
To close the ceremony, over 200 members of the Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa Pipe Band were joined by dhol dummers from across the globe, for the truly unique sound that is only ever heard at Maninagar Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Santhan. They played kirtans Akshardham Ki Raja amongst others, inspiring the watching masses to their feet in dance and revelry.
A truly amazing opening night for a truly amazing Mandir.
His Divine Holiness Acharya Swamishree Purushottampriyadasji Maharaj is the spiritual leader of Maninagar Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan. He is the current and fifth heir in the lineage of ascetic Acharyas, which descends directly from Lord Shree Swaminarayan. He is the incumbent Acharya of Shree Swaminarayan Gadi.
Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa Smruti Mandir is part of Maninagar Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan based in Ahmedabad, India.
