Shri Swaminarayan Satsang Mandal, Johannesburg, commemorated the auspicious occasion of Vasant Panchami with various events on 21 and 23 January 2007.
As 2007 marks the centenary of BAPS, the first of a series of Prabhat Pheris was held on the morning of Sunday 21 January 2007. Around 80 devotees joined in the chanting of the Swaminarayan Mahamantra while walking around the Mandir blocks.
The Vasant Panchami celebration assembly was held on Sunday 21 January from 5.00 to 7.30pm. Over 300 devotees from Lenasia, Pretoria, Rustenburg and Johannesburg gathered at the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir, Mayfair-West, to celebrate this holy occasion. Youths and teenagers gave eloquent speeches on Shastriji Maharaj and the Akshar Purushottam Upasana. A discussion based on the book “Likhitam Yagnapurushdas,” kirtans composed by Sadguru Nishkulanand Swami and Brahmanand Swami, and an enjoyable quiz based on the Shikshapatri formed part of the celebration program.
The concluding event took place on the evening of Vasant Panchmi, 23 January 2007, in the form of Akhand Dhun from 5.30 to 10.30pm. Devotees flocked to join in the chanting of the Swaminarayan Mahamantra and have the darshan of Thakorji. These Vasant Panchami celebrations proved to be spiritually elevating for all.