This summer, 57 kishores and 57 kishoris embarked upon a journey of their lifetimes, an unforgettable experience to discover eternal happiness, themed Param Anand. Lasting from July 2nd to August 3rd, delegates traveled 5,000 miles around India, delving deeper into the elegant fabric of Hindu culture and philosophy. Kishores and Kishoris stepped away from the rush of life to discover their purpose as sons, daughters, students, and most importantly, sevaks of His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj.
The journey began at Swaminarayan Akshardham in New Delhi, India, where delegates learned about the life and work of Bhagwan Swaminarayan, through the intricate architecture interwoven with His story portrayed in the exhibitions. From there, the journey continued to Ayodhya and Chhapaiya, where delegates entered the divine beginnings of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and explored His upbringing through the many sacred locations scattered across the blessed and isolated landscape.
Delegates then flew to Gujarat, where they experienced the life-changing "Brahmavidyani College" in Sarangpur. Filled with kathas from swamis and engaging goshtis (discussions), delegates gained a better understanding of their spiritual journey and aspirations with respect to their lives in the western world.
Next, delegates explored the various mandirs across Gujarat while creating unforgettable memories by getting blessings from Mahant Swami Maharaj during his vicharan for 10 days. They saw firsthand the change Pramukh Swami Maharaj and Mahant Swami Maharaj inspired through their tireless efforts emphasizing the need for spirituality and care for all.
To finish off the trip, the delegates continued to South India to retrace Nilkanth Varni’s 7-year expedition along the borders of India including Kanyakumari, Rameshwaram, Madurai, and Pondicherry. Each site in South India, which is home to some of Hinduism’s oldest traditions, further refined the delegates’ perspectives on India’s rich history of devotion.
After spending a month together, delegates created a foundation upon which they now can nurture and grow on their path to eternal bliss. With samjan (understanding), purusharth (personal effort), and faith in the Satpurush, Param Anand is now no longer a theme, but rather a tangible goal along our Sadhana towards Moksha.