Akshar Deri is the sacred place in Gondal where Aksharbrahman Gunatitanand Swami was cremated. Brahmaswarup Yogiji Maharaj visited the Deri very often and sang its praises as a wish-fulfilling mandir. A pradakshina (circumambulation) of the Akshar Deri at Gondal is a popular form of prayer for all devotees.
When Yogiji Maharaj was bit by a venomous cobra, Shastriji Maharaj asked Yogiji Maharaj to be brought to the Deri and the sadhus gathered there to chant the Swaminarayan Mahamantra. After twelve hours of chanting of the dhun in front of the Akshar Deri, Yogiji Maharaj was miraculously cured.
There are many incidents proving its divinity and spiritual aura.
It was at Akshar Deri that Shastriji Maharaj gave bhagwati diksha to Shanti bhagat, naming him Narayanswarupdas – bestowing his wishes on the young Brahmaswarup sadhu who was destined to lead devotees and continue Shastriji Maharaj’s legacy.
For many years, every day that he was in Gondal, Brahmaswarup Yogiji Maharaj performed mahapuja for the fulfillment of the good wishes of all sadhus and devotees, for satsang to flourish in India and around the world and for the good of all humankind.
This consecrated, sanctified, divine and sacred and wish-fulfilling holy place, Akshar Deri, will complete 150 years in 2018.
To spread greater understanding of Akshar Deri’s mahima, this landmark event will be marked by celebrations from now till 2018. On Saturday, January 30, 2016, Pramukh Swami Maharaj lit the inaugural lamp in Sarangpur to begin these celebrations..
The ‘Akshar Deri Sardh Shatabdi’ Udghosh sabha was held in the esteemed presence of Pujya Keshavjivan Swami (Pujya Mahant Swami) in Gondal on Friday, February 12, 2016.
On this auspicious occasion of Vasant Panchami, after the mangla arti, the Vedic mahapuja ritual of Thakorji was held in the open grounds of Akshar Mandir. More than 600 devotees took part in the mahapuja rituals. Thereafter, everyone had the darshan of the shangar arti and annakut was also offered to Thakorji in the Akshar Deri.
The Sabha began with dhun, prarthana and kirtans describing the glory of Akshar Deri, followed by videos presenting utsavs celebrated over the past years in the Akshar Deri. Apurvamuni Swami spoke on the history, glory and power of Akshar Deri. Narayanmuni Swami explained how Bhagwan Swaminarayan is always present through Aksharbrahman Gunatitanand Swami and that he lives today through Pramukh Swami Maharaj, fulfiling the spiritual desires of all.
Through prasangs and examples of the divine words of Yogiji Maharaj, Atmaswarup swami conveyed the message that there is eternal peace in the Akshar Deri. Pujya Viveksagar Swami spoke on the matchless glory of Akshar Deri and how it has fulfilled the positive desires of all. The program also included colorful dances and skits by the children and youths.
The plans for the various activities and events to celebrate the 150th year - 'Sardh Shatabdi Mahotsav' - were announced by Divyapurush Swami. Pujya Mahant Swami, in his blessings, elucidated on how each individual satsangi can celebrate the Sardh Shatabdi so that everyone gets to know the greatness of Akshar Deri and Pujya Pramukh Swami Maharaj.
The assembly concluded with all devotees doing samuh arti. More than 15,000 devotees attended the udghosh sabha.