23 March 2005 (V.S. 206, Fagan sud 13) Wednesday, Surendranagar, Rangpur, Sarangpur
In the evening, Swamishri departed from Surendranagar towards Sarangpur. On arriving at the outskirts of Acharda, the local Darbars were waiting by the roadside. Swamishri stopped to bless them. Further, on arriving at Chachana village, the entire village folks had gathered for Swamishri’s darshan. Swamishri halted and accepted their garlands. Proceeding ahead Swamishri sang the arti and ashtaks in the car. The next stop was at Rangpur village. Swamishri performed the pujan and arti rituals of the murtis at the newly inaugurated BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir. After sanctifying the mandir with holy flower petals Swamishri attended the satsang assembly arranged on the village outskirts. After accepting the formal honours, Swamishri blessed the assembly, “Through the grace of God, your devotion and love a mandir has been built. The mandir belongs to all because God belongs to all. There are no distinctions of caste or colour. Those who worship Him, He belongs to them. The sun, rain, trees and rivers are for all people. They do not segregate anyone.”
At 8.00 pm Swamishri departed from Rangpur and arrived, after a tiring schedule, in Sarangpur at 8.35 pm. He was welcomed by the tunes played by BAPS Swaminarayan Vidyamandir Band. After having Thakorji’s darshan Swamishri briefly blessed the satsangi devotees.
24 March 2005 (V.S. 2061, Fagan sud 14) Thursday, Sarangpur
In the evening, Swamishri blessed the assembly of 4,500 volunteers who would be engaged in various services during the Fuldol celebration two days later. Swamishri said, “Whatever duties that are assigned to you must be fulfilled… This service that you have got is very rare. In the services done for society one gets name and fame. One benefits in all ways, in money, but the benefit of this service is very great. To do according to the word of Maharaj and Swami is very important… When God becomes happy then there is nothing comparable to that…”
Finally, Swamishri showered holy coloured water on sadhus and volunteers. The assembly concluded at 7.30 pm.
Thereafter Swamishri, who had contracted a malarial fever, retired to his room.
26 March 2005 (V.S. 2061, Fagan vad 1) Saturday, Sarangpur, Fuldol
Today, Swamishri was weak and pale. He still had a fever. With over 47,000 devotees having gathered for the Fuldol festival Swamishri arrived in the assembly hall at 10.30 am. He initiated thirteen youths into the parshad diksha. Then after colouring Shri Harikrishna Maharaj, Swamishri showered holy coloured water on the senior sadhus and devotees. At 11.10 am Swamishri departed from the festival venue.
By evening Swamishri’s fever subsided and in the next few days he recovered quickly.