17 March 2014
Eager to be coloured by the divinity of the gunatit guru, close to 90,000 men and women from across five continents made their way to the village of Sarangpur (Gujarat) for the Pushpadolotsav. Themed “Yagnapurushna Range” – “By the Colors of Yagnapurush” – the festival began with the melodies of the Swaminarayan dhun and hymns celebrating the festival of colors and the life of Shastriji Maharaj. Throughout the assembly senior sadhus gave inspiring speeches on how the faithful may better enjoin themselves in Satsang and the year-long sesquicentennial celebrations (Sardh Shatabdi Mahotsav) of Shastriji Maharaj’s birth, by offering devotion through spiritual reading, prayers, dialogue, and service.
The festival came to its height at the arrival of Pramukh Swami Maharaj. Swamishri, despite his advanced age, graced the assembly for an hour and gave darshan as the devotees joyously came forward to be colored by sanctified colored water.
18 March 2014
As a part of the Pushpadolotsav celebrations, Pramukh Swami Maharaj blessed the sadhus. As Swamishri graced the stage, first the senior sadhus came forward to be colored. Following them, the 600 sadhus in attendance each took their turn to be coloured and blessed by Swamishri. The senior sadhus then garlanded Swamishri with offerings that devotees had sent from around the world. To conclude, Pujya Bhaktipriya Swami (Kothari Swami) offered a humble prayer to Swamishri on behalf of all of the sadhus.