The auspicious occasion of Shri Swaminarayan Jayanti was celebrated at over 100 BAPS Mandirs across North America. Many devotees marked the occasion by observing waterless fasts and assemblies focused on the life and work of Bhagwan Swaminarayan.
Bhagwan Swaminarayan manifested on Earth in the North Indian village of Chhapaiya (near Ayodhya) on April 3, 1781. As an 11-year-old child, he renounced his home to embark on a 7-year pilgrimage across India to guide devotees to moksha. During his travels as a child yogi, Bhagwan Swaminarayan was known as Nilkanth Varni. He ended his journey in the state of Gujarat and established the Swaminarayan Sampradaya in 1801. Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s life and work have not only influenced communities in Gujarat, India but have affected change throughout the world. He re-established Hindu Sanatan Dharma, cleansing traditions and rituals of the impurities that had seeped in overtime. Bhagwan Swaminarayan did not simply reform society; He spiritually charged it with faith, virtue, and integrity.
Bhagwan Swaminarayan revealed the Akshar-Purushottam Upasana, a philosophy that establishes worshiping God along with His gunatit sadhu. Aksharbrahman is Parabrahma’s ideal devotee and present through the gunatit sadhu on Earth. He continued his work of leading individuals on the path of Ekantik Dharma as well as serving communities through the spiritual lineage of Gunatit Gurus. His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, continues these invaluable efforts through his exemplary guidance.
Coinciding with Shri Swaminarayan Jayanti is also Shri Ram Jayanti, and mandirs across North America paid homage to the life and work of Bhagwan Shri Ram.