Part 10 of Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s comprehensive biography chronicles his remarkable spiritual leadership and transformative achievements from 2003 to 2006 and reflects his unwavering commitment to spiritual and community development.
Pramukh Swami Maharaj was in his early 80s, yet his extraordinary vigor matched the scale, scope and speed of his vicharan, an intense itinerary that would even exhaust individuals half his age.
In 2003, Swamishri's travels spanned the length and breadth of India. In February, Swamishri inaugurated the BAPS Mandir in New Delhi in the presence of national and international dignitaries and thousands of devotees, thus fulfilling one of guru Yogiji Maharaj’s cherished wishes.
Swamishri’s vicharan continued in the arid Khandesh region, before reaching Gondal, where he initiated his 700th sadhu, a milestone envisioned by guru Yogiji Maharaj. Swamishri then went to Rajasthan to inspect the ongoing stonework for Swaminarayan Akshardham in New Delhi. His vicharan also took him to Kolkata in the east and he concluded the year in Bangalore in the south, where he consecrated a new mandir.
In early 2004, Swamishri celebrated the Golden Anniversary of the BAPS Children’s Activities at Swaminarayan Akshardham in Gandhinagar in the presence of the President of India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and over 20,000 children. In Nadiad, Swamishri inaugurated a hari mandir and exhibition at the site of the historic 1826 meeting between Bhagwan Swaminarayan and Bishop Heber.
Swamishri’s international vicharan broke new ground with the consecration of North America’s first two shikharbaddha mandirs in Houston and Chicago, followed by visits to several African nations.
The year 2005 began with Swamishri inaugurating the BAPS Pramukh Swami Hospital in Surat. Throughout the year, Swamishri guided the final stages of construction of Swaminarayan Akshardham in New Delhi and performed various Vedic ceremonies building up to its inauguration.
In October, Swamishri consecrated the BAPS shikharbaddha mandir in Jaipur, before reaching New Delhi to preside over the month-long celebrations to mark the historic opening of the 100-acre Swaminarayan Akshardham, in the presence of President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and Leader of the Opposition, Shri L.K. Advani.
In 2006, Swamishri consecrated the BAPS shikharbaddha mandirs in Junagadh – at the base of Mt. Girnar – and Bhavnagar. The year ended with the launch of the year-long celebrations to commemorate the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha centenary.
Throughout these landmark events, Pramukh Swami Maharaj maintained an uninterrupted daily schedule of devotion, spiritual counseling, satsang assemblies, project meetings, and interactions with spiritual and civic leaders and dignitaries with remarkable dedication and energy.
This volume reveals a profound portrait of Swamishri’s tireless dedication, boundless compassion, and visionary leadership that continues to inspire thousands onto the spiritual path.
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