Pujya Doctor Swami (Swayamprakashdas Swami) visited Hyderabad-Secunderabad during the holy month of Shravan. Children, youths and elders welcomed him with great enthusiasm and grandeur to the BAPS Mandir in Hyderabad. During his stay many inspiring and enlightening programs were held in his presence, as described as below:
On the morning of 14 August, office bearers of the many Gujarati associations in Hyderabad, representing the Gujarati Ekta Manch, came to meet Pujya Dr Swami.
On the afternoon of 15 August, India’s Independence Day, around 150 balaks and balikas dressed in various shades of the Tri-color, participated in the Bal Din (Children’s Day). The program began with fun games for all, followed by special message-oriented activities, inspiring the children to excel in their studies, contribute to the progress of India and become exemplary citizens. Through his speech, Pujya Doctor Swami motivated and guided the children to aim for excellence in everything they do.
On the evening of 16 August, around 100 yuvaks and yuvatis attended the Yuva Din assembly. Based on the theme ‘Sanyam’, the youths were inspired through the life of Shri Nilkanth Varni, the teenage yogi form of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. In conclusion, Pujya Doctor Swami blessed and encouraged the youths to develop self-control, which is the basis for all success.
On the morning of 17 August, 400 Telugu devotees of Hyderabad attended the special Telugu Maha Sabha based on the topic ‘Shastra, Mandir and Sant’ in the presence of Pujya Doctor Swami.
In the evening a grand Karyakar Abhivadan Samaroh was organized in which BAPS karyakars from across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana were felicitated by Pujya Doctor Swami and other swamis for their seva and dedication.
Thereafter, evening assemblies celebrating Family Harmony Day (20 August), Gurubhakti Din (22 August) and Senior Devotee Felicitation Day (23 August) were held in the presence of Pujya Doctor Swami.
On the evening of 25 August, about 600 devotees from various parts of Hyderabad-Secunderabad attended the symbolic Janmashtami celebration. Following bhajans sung by youths and a short video on Janmashtami, the bal and yuvak mandals of BAPS Mandir, Secunderabad, presented the ‘Krishna Leela’ dance-drama, which highlights some of the major life incidents of Bhagwan Shri Krishna. The performance included a palkhi yatra and the traditional dahi-handi.
After a speech by Vimalmuni Swami on the special bond between Bhagwan Krishna and Arjun, a special family harmony activity took place. Amid the male and female sections, family members had been sat together. Thereafter, to help strengthen family bonds, family members applied a chandan tilak and tied a nadachhadi to each other.
Then, younger members of the family bowed to their elders and asked for forgiveness for their wrongdoings. The emotional atmosphere of the assembly touched everyone.
At the end, Pujya Doctor Swamii blessed the assembly, guiding devotees on how to adopt the teachings of Bhagwan Shri Krishna in their lives and develop the values of unity, fraternity and peace.
The celebration assembly concluded with samuh arti.
On 26 August, a special assembly for the local karyakars was organized in the presence of Pujya Doctor Swami in which all the karyakars received great inspiration and energy to excel in their seva.
On the afternoon of 27 August, Pujya Doctor Swami departed from Hyderabad.