Param Pujya Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s 94th birth celebrations, as per the Hindu Vikram calendar, were held in Sarangpur on 29th November, 2014. Many tens of thousands of devotees flocked from across the world, including USA, Canada, Europe, Africa, Middle East, Australia and New Zealand, to commemorate their beloved Guru on this special occasion.
The auspicious day began with Swamishri’s puja darshan. All the gathered devotees enjoyed the unique darshan as Swamishri performed his morning puja. Thereafter, Swamishri visited various prasadi places in the mandir complex on his way to the Mandir and Smruti Mandir. Fully engrossed in doing darshan, Swamishri then performed arti with utmost devotion to Bhagwan Swaminarayan. Devotees once again had darshan of Swamishri while he returned from the mandir.
The evening celebration was themed on Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s lifelong sacrifice for the service of society and the betterment of his devotees. A collection of speeches, video presentations and dances, demonstrated how Swamishri has taken care of his devotees, stayed with them during hardships, served them until their last breath, and granted them the bliss of Akshardham. Pujya Keshavjivan Swami (Pujya Mahant Swami), Pujya Tyagvallabh Swami, Pujya Ishwarcharan Swami and Pujya Viveksagar Swami, and other senior sadhus shared their personal experiences and recollected incidents illustrating Swamishri’s love, care and compassion.
Everyone was overjoyed when Swamishri made his eagerly anticipated entrance on the stage at 5:30pm. As Swamishri entered, devotees and santos were overcome with emotion, many applauded and sang the ‘jay’ whilst others watched with hands folded, as tears of joy rolled down from their eyes. Divinity emanated from Swamishri and reverberated everywhere. Sadguru santos welcomed Swamishri to the assembly with a variety of garlands. Everyone had the opportunity to honor their Guru and offer prayers by performing mantra pushpanjali and samuh arti.
The evening reached its zenith as Swamishri passed through the middle of the assembly, giving close darshan to devotees on each side. Devotees were overwhelmed and fulfilled by the rare opportunity of darshan from such close proximity. Swamishri then visited the Smruti Mandir to offer devotion to his Guru, Brahmaswarup Shastriji Maharaj, on his birthday.
The sadhus and thousands of devotees left with a great feeling of pride and elation as they had faith that whatever corner of the world they live, Swamishri is always with them.