On 20 July 2012, in the presence of senior Swamis in Amdavad, His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj revealed that His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj would be his spiritual successor upon his own passing and wrote a letter in his own handwriting to that effect. The first Guru Purnima since he became guru was celebrated with tremendous enthusiasm at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Chicago IL on July 9, 2017.
Guru Purnima celebrates the role of a spiritual guru in one's life and provides the opportunity to offer gratitude for the guidance and support given by the guru. The theme of this celebration was Culture and Spirituality, which are two attributes Mahant Swami Maharaj has embodied throughout his life. Mahant Swami Maharaj's dedication to Pramukh Swami Maharaj, and his selfless service to BAPS as its leader, is a prime example of the unfailing commitment between a guru and his disciple.
The program included speeches narrating life experiences from senior Swamis who reflected on the guru bhakti between Mahant Swami Maharaj and Pramukh Swami Maharaj. Honoring the wishes of Pramukh Swami Maharaj, Mahant Swami Maharaj relentlessly traveled throughout India and the world for 45 years to inspire and strengthen satsang in countless devotees and continues to do so today. Mahant Swami Maharaj has modeled his life after his guru and selflessly served as the embodiment of Pramukh Swami Maharaj's life motto, "In the joy of others lies our own." In his blessings on this joyous occasion, Mahant Swami Maharaj said, encouraged all to develop a sound basis for spirituality and ethics as individuals, emphasizing that this is the greatest way a devotee can offer his or her devotion to a spiritual guru.