An all-day dhoon programme was launched at Nadiad in the presence of Pramukh Swami Maharaj as part of the Bicentenary Celebration of the Swaminarayan Maha-mantra. Swamishri himself inaugurated the programme after his morning puja by chanting the dhoon for 7 minutes. 197 years ago, Lord Swaminarayan announced the Swaminarayan mantra for His devotees. To celebrate its Bicentenary, the sanstha has arranged a three-year program. The announcement of the programs was to be made in Swamishri's morning puja. The backdrop had a banner and the name 'Swaminarayan' written in different colours. During Swamishri's puja, the sadhus sang bhajans glorifying the Swaminarayan mantra. Pujya Viveksagar Swami spoke on the glory and history of the Swaminarayan Mahamantra. Today, a 24-hour programme of chanting the Swaminaryan maha-mantra was to be launched by Swamishri. The occasion was inaugurated with the lighting of a lamp by Swamishri and then he addressed the gathering, "Bhagwan Swaminarayan came on earth with His divine abode, muktas and divine powers. And when Ramanand Swami passed away he declared the 'Swaminarayan' mantra for all. The glory of this mantra is unique. By saying it one becomes free of physical and mental illness and ultimately one becomes blessed with God's divine abode. Whenever any national or social problems arise, Yogiji Maharaj used to chant the Swaminarayan mantra. "This mantra has been given to us by Bhagwan Swaminarayan, therefore we should chant it to please God. We should engage ourselves according to our suitability and degree of faith. Now let us chant the Swaminarayan mantra..." And Swamishri, with eyes closed and absorbed in the God, began chanting Swaminarayan, Swaminarayan. The devotees chorused the mantra and the atmosphere was charged with divinity. For seven minutes Swamishri chanted the mantra. Announcement Lord Swaminarayan announced the Swaminarayan mantra on the thirteenth day after the demise of Ramanand Swami in 1802. To celebrate its Bicentenary, Pramukh Swami Maharaj has announced a programme of personal and group participation.
The Swaminarayan mantra can be, (1) written repeatedly in a book (2) chanted while doing the rosary (3) chanting the mantra in an organised morning procession on the local streets.