Around 2,000 young and enthusiastic balaks and balikas, aged between 8 and 13, gathered in Sarangpur for the Akhil Bhartiya Bal-Balika Adhiveshan in the presence of guruhari Mahant Swami Maharaj. These children had prepared for months and progressed through several rounds of competitions, including Zonal and Regional Adhiveshans, to qualify for the national finals. In total, over 130,000 balaks and balikas from 8,200 BAPS centers across India participated in the initial phases, from which the final participants have progressed.
Over the past three months, these youngsters have used their vacation and play time to prepare for the various competitions, their motto being: “This vacation, only Adhiveshan”. Each participant has qualified for a varying number of the nine competitions: Satsang Mukhpath, Satsang Q&A, Akshar-Purushottam Darshan Mukhpath, Public Speaking, Solo Kirtan Singing, Solo-dance, Monoacting, Storytelling, and Sketching and Coloring.
On the evening of 28 May, a spectacular opening ceremony was presented, featuring dances from Gujarat and other regions of India, in which balaks greeted Mahant Swami Maharaj in their regional and local languages and traditions. Swamishri’s blessings further motivated the children, “All of you have already earned Maharaj-Swami’s rajipo.” Echoing the sentiments of Pramukh Swami Maharaj, Swamishri ended by saying, “I love you all.”
Over the coming days, these balaks and balikas will take part in a day of competitions (to be judged by sadhus and senior karyakars), a prize-giving ceremony, darshan of sacred sites in Sarangpur village, darshan in Gadhada, and an inspiring and fun-filled two-day shibir in the presence of Swamishri and senior sadhus.