16 October 2007, Mumbai
At 10.32 am Swamishri’s flight landed at Sahara International Airport, Mumbai. Pujya Mahant Swami and Kothari Swami and Abhayswarup Swami welcomed Swamishri with garlands. It took an hour to reach the mandir in Dadar and after his ritual bath Swamishri performed his puja.
21 October 2007, Mumbai
Swamishri performed the murti-pratishtha rituals of pujan and arti for the BAPS hari mandirs in Kandivali (Mumbai) and Goregaon (Mumbai), shila pujan of shikharbaddh mandir for Nagpur, foundation-stone ceremony for the hari mandir in Malad and a student hostel in Kharghar. The main ceremony today was the foundation-stone laying ceremony of ‘Pramukh Sadan’, a residential and utility centre, to be built on the mandir complex. The next morning Swamishri departed for Gondal. The flight landed at Rajkot airport. Kothari Yogiswarup Swami and other sadhus welcomed Swamishri with garlands. Thereafter Swamishri headed by car towards Gondal. While passing through the streets of Rajkot devotees honoured Swamishri by showering rice grains and flowers and igniting fire crackers. On arriving in Gondal the students of BAPS Gurukul showered flower petals on Swamishri’s car. Devotees proclaimed jais and bowed humbly as Swamishri’s car entered through Akshar Dwar into the mandir precincts. Kothari Gnanprasad Swami welcomed Swamishri with a garland.
25 October 2007, Gondal; Sharad Punam Celebration
The 222nd birthday celebration of Aksharbrahman Gunatitanand Swami was celebrated in Swamishri’s presence. The mammoth assembly commenced at 7.00 pm. The stage decoration was themed on the BAPS Centenary celebrations. The centenary logo, giant cut-outs of Atlanta and Toronto BAPS mandirs along with a replica of a globe and Akshar Deri formed a giant, spectacular stage backdrop. The celebration programme consisted of speeches, dances and bhajans. The programme was as follows:
Atmatrupt Swami spoke on Swamishri’s satsang vicharan abroad.
Balaks and kishores performed a traditional dance.
Siddheshwar Swami spoke on Gunatitanand Swami.
Second arti was performed by devotees.
Narayanmuni Swami announced the BAPS Centenary Celebration programme and invitation to all.
Dr Swami spoke on how to celebrate the centenary.
Third arti was performed.
Balaks and Kishores presented highlights of ‘Century of BAPS’ on stage.
Mahant Swami addressed the assembly.
Senior sadhus honoured Swamishri with garlands.
Kishores performed a traditional dance.
Finally Swamishri blessed the celebration assembly, “The festival of Sharad Punam has been celebrated here ever since the mandir was built. Yogiji Maharaj always celebrated this festival here in Gondal every year.