2 April 2001 (V.S.2057, Chaitra Sud 9) Monday, Mumbai, 221st Hari Jayanti Festival
Swamishri celebrated Shri Hari Jayanti - Bhagwan Swaminarayan's 221st birthday festival at the mandir. The festival commenced at 7.00 pm with dhun and bhajans. The program was interlaced with speeches, bhajans and a drama. Finally, Swamishri blessed the assembly, elaborating upon the life and work of Bhagwan Swaminarayan.
At 10:10pm, Swamishri, senior sadhus and the entire congregation performed the birthday celebration arti. The festive ambience was enhanced by the silver plated cradle in which Thakorji had been placed, boys dressed as Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh, children adorned as devas, Brahmins, and rishis awating at Dharmadeva's house for the birth of Ghanshyam. Swamishri then gently pulled the cradle to and fro with the resounding singing of 'Sona na Bor Zule Dharmakishore...' The costumed children danced with joy in celebration of the Lord's birth. The celebration concluded with Jai's of Bhagwan Swaminarayan.
4 April 2001 (V.S., 2057, Chaitra Sud 11) Wednesday, Mumbai, Gandhinagar
This morning, Swamishri departed from Mumbai to Gandhinagar to bless and welcome Mr. Bill Clinton in his visit to Akshardham.