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Kishore-Kishori India Trip 2024, USA

25 Jun 2024 to 31 Jul 2024

Kishores arrive at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Gujarat

Delegates look at a map and drive by the festival grounds of the Pramukh Swami Maharaj Shatabdi Mahotsav

Delegates are elated and hail a ‘jay’ together as they arrive at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Sarangpur

Delegates meet with sadhaks, parshads and swamis upon arrival

Delegates look in awe at the nighttime view of the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Sarangpur as they walk to their residence for the next week

Delegates gather around swamis and engage in lively conversation as they get situated into their rooms

Swamis, parshads, and sadhaks serve all of the delegates with enthusiasm

Delegates perform ‘chesta’ together at night in front of the mandir

On the first morning of the Brahmavidya College Shibir, delegates are welcomed with flowers

Swamis shower flower petals on the delegates, showing their selfless love and respect for all of the delegates

Pujya Atmatrupt Swami ties a nada-chhadi on a delegate

A bulletin board would be updated each day to depict the schedule, group information, and challenge.

Before each session, delegates turn in their phones to avoid any possible distractions

Delegates joyfully watch an introductory video prior to the start of the shibir

Pujya Aksharniket Swami conducts a question-answer session with two previous Brahmavidya College graduates, Pujya Gurumay Swami and Pujya Anandchintan Swami

Pujya Dharmasetu Swami explains to delegates the necessary steps to fully immerse themselves and attain the most from the Brahmavidya College Shibir

Delegates read letters written to them from previous graduates of the Brahmavidya College

Delegates listen attentively and take notes during the sessions

Pujya Atmatrupt Swami visually draws out concepts in a session centered around ‘Prapti no Vichar’

Pujya Atmatrupt Swami breaks down ‘Prapti no Vichar’ into three key steps to teach the delegates how to better implement it into everyday life

In between sessions, delegates gather in jovial conversation with Pujya Atmatrupt Swami

Throughout the day, swamis and parshads hold 1-on-1 sessions with each delegate to get to know them personally and help guide them on any struggles in life.

Delegates break out into groups to take a tour of the ‘Sant Talim Kendra’

Delegates visit a library where swamis read and study religious texts daily

A sadhak conducts the evening arti at a small mandir inside the swamis' residence

Delegates visit the sanctified room of Brahmaswarup Shastriji Maharaj

Delegates look at a collection of books studied by swamis, parshads and sadhaks throughout their training in Sarangpur

As the night falls, delegates take in the serene and divine view of the mandir campus from a balcony

Delegates engage in discussions with swamis at night time, speaking about Pramukh Swami Maharaj and Mahant Swami Maharaj’s ability to inspire people

Delegates break out into groups and conduct ice-breaker activities to introduce themselves to the delegates part of the UK & Europe 2024 Bharat Yatra

Delegates take notes during the discussion

Swamis lead delegates in a discussion to recap and share important lessons learned from the first day of the shibir about ‘Prapti no Vichar’

A swami conducts the morning arti in the ‘Rang Mandap’ on the floor level of the Sarangpur mandir

Delegates sing and clap along to the morning arti

Delegates have a Q&A session with Pujya Atmatrupt Swami regarding his sessions on ‘Prapti no Vichar’ from the previous day

Delegates listen attentively and take notes during the sessions

After the session, delegates compare notes to ensure no key information was missed

Delegates attentively listen to the final ‘Prapti no Vichar’ session led by Pujya Atmatrupt Swami

Delegates thank and applaud Pujya Atmatrupt Swami for imparting his teachings to them for the past one-and-a-half days

In the afternoon, delegates make their way to the Yagnapurush Vadi on tractors for a special program and activity

A small assembly is organized for the delegates at the Yagnapurush Vadi

Delegates enjoy a light snack of ‘mavo’ and popcorn before the afternoon program

Delegates learn about the history and technological advancements of the Yagnapurush Vadi

Delegates board a 'chagdo,' a local transport vehicle, to make their way to the location of the first activity

Swamis explains the rules of the first activity of the afternoon

Delegates break into their respective teams and compete in a relay race against each other

A delegate balances a lemon on a spoon as part of the relay race, testing their focus and coordination

Delegates conclude the afternoon program with a water balloon activity to cool off

Delegates sit down to relax and take a break

Delegates pose for a group photo while sitting on a swing

Delegates coordinate their strategy for the relay race

Following the afternoon activities, Pujya Gnannayan Swami speaks on Akshar Purushottam Upasana as part of the next segment of the shibir

Delegates meet Pujya Gnannayan Swami in between sessions to ask questions and clarifications about his lecture

Pujya Bhaktisagar Swami conducts a session on the importance of ‘Sampradayik scriptures’ to the delegates

Delegates perform the evening arti together in the shibir hall

Delegates engage in smaller discussions with swamis at night time to recap the day's events

Swamis, parshads and sadhaks perform a specially organized kirtan aradhana for the Brahamavidya College delegates from North America and UK/Europe

Swamis, parshads and sadhaks sing melodious bhajans outlining the messages and themes of the Brahmavidya College Shibir

Delegates enthusiastically sing and clap along to the bhajans

Swamis sing and lead the various bhajans in the kirtan aradhana

Swamis play the tabla together in the kirtan aradhana

Delegates join along the kirtan aradhana, playing ‘kartals’ to the beat of the bhajans

Delegates clap along to the upbeat medley of bhajans

Delegates dance and rejoice as the kirtan aradhana concludes

Delegates make their way back to residence to rest after a long day of sessions and activities

Delegates walk from their rooms to the shibir hall in the morning

Pujya Narayanmuni Swami speaks on the topic of ‘Rajipo no Vichar’ to the delegates

Pujya Dharmasetu Swami walks delegates through how to perform their morning puja effectively and impactfully

Delegates engage in a question-answer session with Pujya Shrijikirtan Swami during a workshop on ‘samp’

Delegates arrive at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Gadhada

Delegates turn the rosary and pray on top of the mandir at night

Morning view of the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Gadhada

Delegates start off their day with the morning arti and darshan of the murtis

Delegates perform abhishek of the murti of Bhagwan Swaminarayan

Local devotees explain the history of the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Gadhada to delegates

Delegates listen to swamis explain the details of Gadhada on the steps of the mandir

Kishori delegates take a group photo in front of the murtis of Bhagwan Swaminarayan, Aksharbrahma Gunatitanand Swami and Shri Dada Khachar

Swamis and Brahmavidya College delegates take a group photo in front of the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Gadhada

Delegates arrive at the Swaminarayan Mandir in Gadhada, one of the six mandirs constructed by Bhagwan Swaminarayan himself

Delegates perform darshan of the murtis

Pujya Kaushalraj Swami explains the significance of the various sanctified places around the mandir campus

Delegates perform circumambulations around the neem tree in Dada Khachar’s darbar where Bhagwan Swaminarayan would often sit and conduct assemblies

Delegates perform circumambulations and touch the ‘charnarvind’ at a sanctified location in the darbar

Pujya Anandchintan Swami explains the significance of the Akshar Ordi to delegates

A delegate looks down into a sanctified well behind the Akshar Ordi

Delegates visit a mandir constructed on the site where Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s final rites were performed in the Lakshmi Vadi

Delegates perform darshan of the murtis at the mandir in the Lakshmi Vadi

Delegates perform darshan of a murti in a sanctified location in the Lakshmi Vadi where Bhagwan Swaminarayan frequently held assemblies

Swamis conduct a small assembly to explain the significance of the location

Delegates offer thal to the murti of Shri Nilkanth Varni before eating every meal

Delegates arrive for a small assembly at the Murti Mandap, where Pramukh Swami Maharaj gave darshan to millions of devotees after passing away in 2016

Pujya Yogichintan Swami performs arti of the murti of Pramukh Swami Maharaj

Delegates perform arti together

Pujya Yogichintan Swami delivers an entertaining speech and recounts his personal experiences with Pramukh Swami Maharaj

Delegates erupt in laughter and enjoy the speech

Delegates listen attentively and take notes during the speech

Delegates perform dandavats and pradakshina around the murti of Pramukh Swami Maharaj

Aerial view of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Sarangpur

Pujya Anandswarup Swami delivers an impactful presentation about looking past faults and seeing only the positive in all

Pujya Anandswarup Swami gives various analogies and examples to expand on his messages

A delegate personally asks Pujya Anandswarup Swami in between sessions

Delegates examine a clue during a scavenger hunt game around the Sarangpur mandir campus

Delegates visit the ‘gau shala’ and excitedly feed grass to the buffaloes

Delegates cheer for their team during the Brahmavidya College finale program

Delegates play various games throughout the program to win points for their team

Delegates answer a trivia question

Delegates discuss answers to a question before presenting

The winners of the ‘Brahmavidya Challenge’ take a group photo together after the program

Before resting for the night, delegates take time to write positive qualities about each other in a collective book that will be presented to Mahant Swami Maharaj

Night view of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Sarangpur

Shibir mementos are offered to the murtis of Bhagwan Swaminarayan, Aksharbrahma Gunatitanand Swami and Shri Gopalanand Swami on the final day of the shibir

Shibir mementos are offered to the murtis of Shri Dharmakul

Delegates listen attentively to the final session conducted by Pujya Anandswarup Swami

Delegates applaud and give a standing ovation to all the swamis, parshads, and sadhaks who helped plan the Brahmavidya College Shibir for the past week

Delegates applaud and give a standing ovation to all the swamis, parshads and sadhaks who helped plan the Brahmavidya College Shibir for the past week

Pujya Anandswarup Swami observes the mementos that will be given to each delegate

Pujya Anandswarup Swami individually meets with each delegate and gifts them with the shibir mementos

Pujya Dharmasetu Swami gives the shibir mementos to the delegates