A special programme for girls aged 13 and below was held on Monday 29 May 2023 at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, London.
Titled ‘Wish Upon A Star’, the immersive experience incorporated a pantomime-style story of devotional singing and dances performed by balikas in the presence of Shri Akshar-Purushottam Maharaj.
The programme presented a journey of two girls – Pari, a balika who embarked upon a quest in search of a true shooting star, and Tara, who enlightened Pari to wish for Akshar-Purushottam Maharaj as one’s true guide.
Children were captivated by the enlightening experience, which conveyed an important underlying message of praying to Akshar-Purushottam Maharaj with a pure heart, and reaffirmed their understanding that Mahant Swami Maharaj always hears their prayers. The programme also provided an opportunity for balikas to strengthen their spiritual bond with God and Guru.
As part of this special day, balikas had written their own prayers on a rocket crafted from paper. This symbolic pledge revealed that their prayers, which were offered with a pure heart, reach Bhagwan Swaminarayan and Mahant Swami Maharaj at ‘rocket speed’. They also scribed their prayers on a star that was subsequently offered to Mahant Swami Maharaj.