Los Angeles
June 16 Pramukh Swami Maharaj Arrives in Los Angeles
June 17 Satsang Assembly
18 June 2004 (V.S. 2060, Ashadh sud 1) Friday, L.A.
The Mayor of the City of Hawaiian Gardens, Leonard Chaidaz, presented a proclamation and a memento to honor Swamishri.
19 June 2004 (V.S. 2060, Ashadh sud 2) Saturday, L.A.
Shilanyas Mahotsav
Swamishri performed the bhumi-pujan rituals for a shikharbaddh mandir at the Ontario Convention Center. Swamishri performed pujan of the main foundation stone and the nidhi-kumbh. Thereafter an assembly commenced in the Convention Center. Mayor Gary Larson of Chino Hills welcomed Swamishri, and in his address said, “To me what His Holiness brings and what he presents to each of us is a coordination of values and family that I hold dear in my family and know in our community we hold very sacred. I want to congratulate you and tell you that those things that His Holiness brings and his teachings to you are important in your life. I hope that you are able to understand and apply those teachings and I’m sure that each of you feels the same on being here on this special occasion. On behalf of the City of Chino Hills, I want to tell you that I am proud of my relationship and my association with each of you. And I am proud to be here today in welcoming His Holiness.” Mayor Larson presented Swamishri with a City of Chino Hills Certificate of Recognition for his international effort and promotion of universal peace and harmony.
Councilman Bob Huff, Council Member of the Diamond Bar City Council, said, “It is a great pleasure to welcome all of you and His Divine Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj. Welcome to our county. Chino Hills is the down end of our county in what we call the west end. We certainly look forward to this temple bringing your culture to our county and letting people know what goes on with your religion, with your culture and I personally look forward to visiting your temple as soon as it is complete. I am here today just to let you know that you are very welcome in our county. We look forward to your temple and its going to bring great plus in our county. And I’d like to say that I have great respect for your religion, especially when it comes to family values and this temple will carry on that culture.” Mr. Bob Huff honored Swamishri with a certificate of recognition on behalf of the Diamond City Council.
Pete McCue, Supervisor of Santa Clara County, praised Swamishri, “Professionally, I am here representing the people of Santa Clara County to say thank you to you. I wanted to be here for this celebration. I also look forward to coming to the mandir when it is built and seeking knowledge and meditation there. I have been involved with the community since you first established your mandir in Milpitas. And I have appreciated the clothing drives, the health fairs that you have done locally. You have responded to the disasters throughout the world. And I am very proud of the fact that you sent volunteers down to help during the twin towers tragedy.
20 June 2004 (V.S. 2060, Ashadh sud 2) Sunday, L.A.
Medico-Spiritual Conference
A medico-spiritual conference was held in the mandir hall. About 100 doctors availed of speeches of senior sadhus and blessings of Swamishri.
Sanskruti In the evening a cultural program, Sanskruti, about the glory of India was performed by the local BAPS children and youth. Finally Swamishri talked about the work of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. Devotees and well-wishers appreciated in the assembly.
21 June 2004 (V.S. 2060, Ashadh sud 3) Monday, L.A.
Karyarkar Din
In the evening assembly, Swamishri was honored with a citation by the local leader of the Muslim Community, Mr Kadri. Then the Mayor of Gardena City, Terence Terauchi, honored Swamishri with a Certificate of Welcome and the Council Member of Norvek City, Mr Rick Ramirez, presented a Key to the City to Swamishri.
26 June 2004 (V.S. 2060, Ashadh sud 8) Saturday, L.A.; Kishore Day
Kishore - Kishori Din
In the evening Kishore Day assembly a newsdesk was set up – called BAPS News West. The channel reporter visited the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir and posed a question about the need for a mandir. Vishvamurti Swami answered the question. Then the reporter asked Viveksagar Swami about Swamishri’s life and work. Then the newsdesk presented inspiring stories from the lives of devotees. Then the newsdesk showed the large fomrat trailor of Mystic India and details about the mandirs in Houston and Chicago. This was followed by an award giving ceremony. Youths dressed as distinguished people felicitated Swamishri with a Ph.D. for solving thousands of people’s problems, Pulitzer Prize for writing letters, Noble Peace Prize, The World Citizen Award for his worldwide travels for the spread of peace, morality and spirituality, the Purple Heart Award for his pure and pious heart.
Then through the Newsdesk presentation, data on Swamishri’s effort in building mandirs was presented. Dr Swami presented the World President Award to Swamishri and then spoke about Swamishri’s greatness. The kishores then performed a traditional colorful dance on the lyric, “Sadgun na bhandar Pramukh Swami…” and finally presented an 84 ft. long garland to Swamishri.
After the dignitaries addressed the assembly Swamishri blessed the audience.
27 June 2004 (V.S. 2060, Ashadh sud 9) Sunday, L.A.; Children’s Day
Saanskrutik Virasat
The evening Children’s Day special program was held at the Anaheim Convention Center. The LA Children’s forum presented ‘Sanskrutik Virasat’ which depicted the stories of Shravan, Dhruv and Nachiketa. Thereafter dignitaries honored Swamishri. Finally Swamishri said in his blessings, “Today nobody has any time, but they have time to go to parties. But one’s home is like a big party. Whatever wealth and name you may have achieved will be of no good if your children become corrupt, sinful and terrorists. So there is a need to be vigilant while raising children. You are vigilant in your business. So, too, you must be awakened in matters about raising your children. You should also listen to them with love and care…”
The devotees and well-wishers appreciated the evening program.