25 April 2009 Welcome and Appreciation Assembly (VS 2065, Vad Amas) Saturday, Mumbai
Swamishri performed the murti-pratishtha rituals of pujan and arti of murtis for BAPS hari mandirs in the Mumbai suburbs of Ghatkopar and Bhayandar.
At 11.40 a.m. industrialist Shri Anilbhai Ambani came for Swamishri’s darshan and blessings at Dadar Mandir. Swamishri blessed him and praised him for his devotion to and faith in God and his parents. Swamishri also remembered his late father, Shri Dhirubhai Ambani, and how he was blessed by Yogiji Maharaj.
The evening Sunday assembly was held to welcome Swamishri and to appreciate the devotees who had observed various austerities and offered devotion to Thakorji. Thousands of devotees did mala, pradakshina, dandvat, chanted the Janmangal Namavali, read the Vachanamrut and Swamini Vato, sang dhun and visited the mandir for Thakorji’s darshan. They had observed austerities and performed devotion to celebrate Swamishri’s 88th birthday in December 2008.
During the assembly BAPS children performed an exciting traditional welcome dance. Then some inspiring incidents of the sacrifice of devotees were briefly narrated. Thereafter a short video was shown about the devotees’ devotion and services to Harikrishna Maharaj.
Swamishri was garlanded by senior sadhus. Finally, Swamishri blessed the assembly, “It was heartening and joyful to see the service, sacrifice and devotion of the devotees of Mumbai. I congratulate you all for your sacrifice which resonates with the words of Shriji Maharaj in Vachanamrut Loya 3. Because of your devotion you invited Thakorji to sanctify your homes, and that too with great festivity. The children performed a welcome dance with intense joy and enthusiasm. All were ecstatic. Such ecstasy is possible when one has realized the glory of God. For the last one year everyone has offered devotion and seva beyond their capacities. This is possible when one has heartfelt love and devotion.” Swamishri also elaborated upon Dada Khachar’s devotion to Shriji Maharaj and how Shastriji Maharaj and Yogiji Maharaj celebrated festivals. Then he blessed all to further understand the glory of all and cultivate samp, suhrudaybhav and ekta.
The assembly concluded at 8.10 p.m. and 7,000 devotees were served mahaprasad.
27 April 2009 Pratishtha of Nilkanth Varni and Guru Parampara Murtis (V.S. 2065, Akhatrij ) Monday, Mumbai
At 7.30 a.m., prior to his morning puja, Swamishri performed the pratishtha rituals of Nilkanth Varni and Guru Parampara murtis in the Varni mandapam. The pre-rituals of pratishtha were performed by Kothari Swami and Tyagvallabh Swami. Over 140 devotees participated in the mahapuja rituals. The final rituals were performed in Swamishri’s presence. Swamishri performed the consecration rituals of Nilkanth Varni and the senior sadhus performed the rituals of the murtis of Guru Parampara. Then Swamishri and senior sadhus performed pujan and arti of the murtis. Swamishri then performed the first abhishek of Nilkanth Varni. Thereafter the holy water was sprinkled upon all the devotees.
Swamishri arrived for Thakorji’s darshan in the mandir. An annakut was arranged before Thakorji in all the three shrines. After completing his morning puja in the Yogi Mandapam Swamishri blessed all, “Today is a day of immense joy and celebration because Nilkanth Varni has been consecrated. We pray that the wishes of whosoever does darshan of Nilkanth Varni and performs his abhishek be fulfilled. All of you have offered great service for this occasion and the sadhus too have put in a lot of effort, so may God fulfil your wishes. May Maharaj liberate your 71 generations, make you happy and grant you with peace of mind.”