July 23, 2006
Edison, NJ
When a warehouse was purchased near Middlesex County College in Edison, no one knew what was in Swamishri's mind. The warehouse was transformed into a beautiful temple and on August 11, 1996 (Ashadh Vad 13) Swamishri did the murti pratishtha of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Edison. In the last ten years, satsang flourished and new mandirs developed at Jersey City, Clifton, Philadelphia and Cherry Hill. Devotees from all these mandirs who enthusiastically came to BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Edison on Sunday, July 23, 2006 could now better understand Swamishri's vision as the 10th Patotsav of the mandir was celebrated with great festivity.
The festivities began with mahapuja followed by abhishek of Hari Krishna Maharaj. An annakut of more than 300 items was offered to the deities. The assembly hall decorated with splendid lighting added to the celebratory mood of the evening assembly. The cultural program consisted of kirtans, dance by balaks and a flute play by Pujya Dharmaseva swami. This was followed by reminisces of harbhaktos and a video showing the mandir history. Pujya Haridarshan swami in his address to the assembly, explained that patotsav an event to celebrate but also to remember all the good the mandir has done in our lives and to change ourselves for the better. In the end devotees could not stop themselves from dancing as the kirtan "Thai che jai jai kar" was sung.
The 10th patotsav celebration was an enjoyable and unforgettable experience for all