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Akshar-Purushottam Darshan Chhavani, UK

24 Sep 2017

Akshar-Purushottam Darshan Chhavani

The day began after the morning arti at 5.30am, with a procession of the <i>Swaminarayan-Siddhant-Sudha</i> vaad-granth

The day began after the morning arti at 5.30am, with a procession of the Swaminarayan-Siddhant-Sudha vaad-granth

Swamishri led the procession to the assembly hall accompanied by swamis, parshads and sadhaks

Swamishri inaugurated the all-day 'Akshar-Purushottam Darshan Chhavani' by lighting the divo

Swamis sang bhajans extolling Akshar-Purushottam Darshan and Shastriji Maharaj

Swamishri performed the pujan of <i>Swaminarayan-Siddhant-Sudha</i>, authored by Mahamahopadhyaya Bhadreshdas Swami

Swamishri performed the pujan of Swaminarayan-Siddhant-Sudha, authored by Mahamahopadhyaya Bhadreshdas Swami

Swamishri also honoured Sadguru Ishwarcharandas Swami, for his efforts in guiding scholars and students of Akshar-Purushottam Darshan

Swamishri rang a bell in honour of the resounding propagation of Akshar-Purushottam Darshan by Shastriji Maharaj

Swamishri addressed the assembly after his puja

'We are forever indebted to Bhagwan Swaminarayan and Shastriji Maharaj for revealing and clarifying these two eternal entities to us - Akshar and Purushottam.' - Mahant Swami Maharaj

In honour of a traditional chhavani, haribhaktas were to enjoy 'Swaminarayan khichdi' for lunch

Swamishri helped prepare the khichdi in the morning, as mahaprasad for all the attendees

'Chhavani' is a traditional term meaning 'camp', or all-day programme of discourses

Bhadreshdas Swami began the series of discourses by elaborating upon Akshar-Purushottam Darshan as found within the Upanishads

Swamishri soon returned to the assembly hall, at 9am...

... listening attentively to the discourses by various learned swamis

Aksharvatsaldas Swami spoke of Shastriji Maharaj's meticulous research in corroborating Gunatitanand Swami as the personification of Aksharbrahma

Anandswarupdas Swami explained Akshar-Purushottam Darshan within the Vachanamrut...

... as Swamishri continued to listen

At one point, Swamishri asked for the microphone, sharing his own reflections upon the on-going discourses

Thousands of devotees had gathered for the chhavani...

... eager to learn more about Akshar-Purushottam Darshan

Many devotees and volunteers sat in the gymnasium...

... as yet more listened and watched from an overflow marquee in the mandir grounds

Swamishri joined the discourses again at 4pm, as devotees reconvened after lunch and a short break

Brahmaviharidas Swami spoke on the propagation of Akshar-Purushottam Darshan by Pramukh Swami Maharaj

Bhadreshdas Swami continued explaining how Akshar-Purushottam Darshan is embedded within popular Hindu scriptures such as the Bhagavad Gita

Atmaswarupdas Swami shared inspiring eye-witness accounts of Mahant Swami Maharaj's own revelations of Akshar-Purushottam Darshan

More than 400 children participated in a parallel 'Bal-Balika Chhavani'

Learned swamis presented to the children the same principles of Akshar-Purushottam Darshan in an accessible language and format

Classroom sessions helped the children learn different aspects of Akshar-Purushottam Darshan

Presenters adopted innovative and interactive techniques to elucidate deep theological concepts

Children also engaged in group activities...

... such as constructing a mandir from meagre means...

... to better understand the challenges faced by Shastriji Maharaj

Quizzes and games further consolidated the day's learning

Akshar-Purushottam Darshan Bal-Balika Chhavani

The children shared their prayers and reflections after the day of learning...

... before joining the main assembly for the final session

In his concluding address, Swamishri read out a pledge to Akshar-Purushottam Darshan...

... that was heartily received by all the devotees...

... with jubilation and unity

Swamishri departed after the final session ended at 8pm, having himself sat for more than four hours continuously, thanking all the attendees for their participation