For Indians living in Australia, there are very few cultural oases where they can relive the traditions and grandeur of Indian festivals. Over the years, BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Rosehill through its various social and spiritual activities has gained the respect and admiration of the community for such celebrations.
BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir celebrated the birth of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and Lord Ram on Sunday 28 March 2004 with great fervor. More than 700 devotees attended the enlightening cultural celebrations. The festival atmosphere started as the Mandir itself was decorated on the traditional Indian village theme. Rural artifacts decorated the walls of the Mandir, while the main stage was transformed into a rustic, village hut. Even minute details were taken care of as the hut was adorned with authentic rural Indian paintings.
The two hour celebrations were marked by spiritual discourses on Lord Ram and Bhagwan Swaminarayan, all coordinated and exceptionally delivered by the children and the teenage wings of the Mandir. The celebrations were charged with devotion as the youth wing sang the birth celebration hymns. In the time honored tradition, the devotees rocked the cradle of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and Lord Ram at the end of the celebrations to commemorate their birth on earth auspicious day.