The auspicious occasion of the 234th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Swaminarayan, recognized as Swaminarayan Jayanti was cebrated at BAPS Mandirs across North America. According to the Hindu calendar, Chaitra Sud Nom also marks the birth of Bhagwan Ram. This year’s program commemorated the occasion following the theme Bhakta Thavu Bhagwan Na – on how to become an ideal devotee of Bhagwan.
Local youth volunteers organized the Swaminarayan Jayanti festivities. Children and youth dedicated weeks leading up to the event to organize a professional and a heartfelt stage production. With classical devotional songs and dance as well as spiritual discourses, they creatively acknowledged the unparalleled faith of devotees from Bhagwan Swaminarayan and Bhagwan Ram’s time, making them relevant to modern day. The program took the audience on a journey through time, highlighting the meaning of being a true devotee and citing examples such as Sitaji, Hanumanji, Gunatitanand Swami, and many of the 500 paramhansas.
The Swaminarayan Jayanti program aimed to connect the audience with the life’s work of Bhagwan Swaminarayan in honoring his legacy. Today, the continuation of this journey is seen through His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj who continues to inspire devotees to lead a life infused with spirituality and higher purpose.