Home > News > North America > New York > Golden Jubilee Celebrations of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir > Smruti

Golden Jubilee Celebrations of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, New York, NY, USA

24 Aug 2024 to 8 Sep 2024

During the smruti program, devotees tour locations in New York via a multimedia stage program visited by Pramukh Swami Maharaj and Mahant Swami Maharaj visited

The drama depicts a MetroCard to board the subway, which Pramukh Swami Maharaj used once to travel in 1974

Devotees are engrossed in the opening skit

Devotees engrossed in the skit

Devotees travel to the historic locations using the iconic New York City Subway.

The first stop of the smruti tour is Madison Square Garden

Madison Square Garden hosted a special program with Pramukh Swami Maharaj in 1984

Bharatbhai Patel recounts memories from a 1984 procession through Midtown Manhattan, where Pramukh Swami Maharaj sat on a van seat after the original one was soaked by rain

Devotees joyfully listen to the story, highlighting Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s humility

Performers recreate the 1984 procession for the devotees

Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s procession float from the 1984 Nagar Yatra is recreated

Pujya Gnaneshwardas Swami engrossed in the performance of the 1984 procession

Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s float is carried through the audience

Performers recreate the 1984 procession for the devotees

A skit informs devotees of the grandeur of Radio City Music Hall

Pujya Swamis engage with the program intently

Devotees learn about Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s visit to Radio City Music Hall in 1996

Devotees engage with a skit depicting the events at Radio City Music Hall

The drama depicts a backstage memory at Radio City Music Hall with Pramukh Swami Maharaj

Pramukh Swami Maharaj was to enter the program on Radio City Music Hall’s movable stage. Although his entry to the grand stage approached fast, Pramukh Swami Maharaj spent time reading scriptures and mentoring Pujya Swamis

Devotees relive Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s iconic entrance during 1996’s Radio City Music Hall program

Youths recreate a welcome dance from 1996’s Radio City Music Hall Program

Devotees experience moments from 1996’s Radio City Music Hall Program

Youths recreate a welcome dance from 1996’s Radio City Music Hall Program

Devotees joyfully engage with the next drama

Devotees joyfully engage with the next skit

The skit recalls the lead-up to Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s opening remarks at the United Nations Millennium World Peace Summit in 2000

A performer playfully depicts the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, where Pramukh Swami Maharaj resided before the United Nations event in 2000.

Pujya Gnaneshwardas Swami engaged in the performance

A camera recalls how Pramukh Swami Maharaj asked for the sacred image of Harikrishna Maharaj before taking the photo for his event ID Badge

Objects that Pramukh Swami Maharaj interacted with continue to join the skit as his personality is highlighted

While playfully depicting his speech notes, a skit explains how in his free time Pramukh Swami Maharaj instead chose to study a scripture gifted to him by a child

The skit playfully depicts the United Nations Headquarters where Pramukh Swami Maharaj delivered the opening remarks during the Millennium World Peace Summit

Next, devotees are taken to the Mark Hotel where Pramukh Swami Maharaj stayed in 1998...

…before undergoing a bypass surgery at Lenox Hill Hospital in 1998

Pujya Swamis view footage from Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s recovery following surgery in 1998

The program recalls the love Pramukh Swami Maharaj showered upon all the devotees even while recovering from his bypass surgery

Devotees engrossed in the skit

Pujya Vivekyogidas Swami shares teachings from Swamishri’s visits to New York

Devotees joyfully engaged in the presentation

Pujya Gnaneshwardas Swami shares teachings from Swamishri’s visits to New York

Young devotees listen intently

Pujya Anantmangaldas Swami shares teachings from Swamishri’s visits to New York

Devotees engrossed in the presentation

Pujya Yagnavallabhdas Swami shares teachings from Swamishri’s visits to New York

Devotees engaged in the presentation

Pujya Haridarshandas Swami shares teachings from Swamishri’s visits to New York

Devotees engrossed in the presentation

Pujya Viveknidhidas Swami shares teachings from Swamishri’s visits to New York

A hall full of devotees engrossed in the presentation

Pujya Nilkanthsevadas Swami shares teachings from Swamishri’s visits to New York

At the end of the tour, devotees offer prayers thanking Swamishri…

…for 50 years of incredible memories in New York

HH Mahant Swami Maharaj explains how we can continue to progress internally for the next 50 years

Devotees engage with Swamishri’s message

Devotees proudly wave BAPS flags as the tour concludes

Youth perform a grand finale dance

Devotees engrossed in the finale performance

Youth perform a grand finale dance

As part of the performance, youth utilize light to spell out “NY50”

Youth perform a grand finale dance

A young devotee waves his flag while engrossed in the finale performance

A young devotee waves her flag while engrossed in the finale performance

Youth perform a grand finale dance

Shyam Patel, Mandir Coordinator, thanks the devotees for attending the 50th-anniversary celebrations

Pujya Swamis meets with religious leaders from the community

Devotees meet with Pujya Swamis following the program’s conclusion.

Devotees meet with Pujya Swamis following the program’s conclusion

Devotees receive their gift bags, containing a commemorative replica of the original idols installed at BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir, New York in 1974

Devotees look at the commemorative merchandise available during the 50th anniversary celebrations

Mahant Swami Maharaj performs pujan of the replica of the original idols installed at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, New York in 1974, in Bochasan on August 9, 2023.

Devotees received sanctified cardamom from Mahant Swami Maharaj as prasadi, symbolizing the role it played in the history of the mandir

On August 9, 2023, Mahant Swami Maharaj sanctified a marble replica of Bhagwan Swaminarayan's holy charnarvind, to be placed at the memorial site where the first mandir of 1974 stood in Bochasan.

Pujya Gnaneshwardas Swami performs pujan of Shri Akshar Purushottam Maharaj, Pramukh Swami Maharaj, and Mahant Swami Maharaj

Pujya Gnaneshwardas Swami pours cement to install the charnarvind

Pujya Gnaneshwardas Swami installs the charnarvind

Devotees watch as Pujya Gnaneshwardas Swami installs the charnarvind

Pujya Gnaneshwardas Swami reads the plaque describing the significance of the memorial spot

Devotees watch as Pujya Gnaneshwardas Swami installs the charnarvind

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, New York at night