A grand celebration was held on February 5, 11, and 12, 2023, at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Toronto to welcome the new murtis of Shri Akshar-Purushottam Maharaj.
The pran-pratishtha of these murits had been performed earlier by His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj during the Pramukh Swami Maharaj Centennial Celebrations in Ahmedabad, India.
On the first day, the murtis were joyously welcomed to their new home in Toronto with a mahapuja, where devotees of all ages participated. Youths chanted verses from the Satsang Diksha as devotees prayed to Akshar-Purushottam Maharaj to bless the people of Canada and the world with peace, harmony, and prosperity.
A vibrant shobha yatra (cultural procession) was also carried out in the Mandir complex during which the murtis of Akshar-Purushottam Maharaj were carried in a decorative palanquin and formally welcomed inside the assembly hall.
On the second day, thousands of devotees and well-wishers took the opportunity to offer Abhishek. On the third day Swamis, devotees and well-wishers offered various tulas to the murtis of Akshar-Purushottam Maharaj with great devotion.
Swamis delivered a series of insightful discourses drawing upon the Vachanamrut, Swamini Vato, and other Hindu scriptures. They narrated the historical significance of Akshar-Purushottam Maharaj and explained the theological importance and method of offering personal devotion to both murtis.
The momentous celebrations concluded with vibrant bhajans performed by swamis and youths. Following the grand welcome at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Toronto the murtis of Akshar-Purushottam Maharaj will also be devoutly welcomed at BAPS Swaminarayan Mandirs and centres throughout Canada.