10 October 2010 (VS 2066 Sud Trij) Sunday, Junagadh
During Swamishri’s stay in Junagadh children and youths briefly celebrated various festivals each day on the mandir premises when Swamishri came for Thakorji’s darshan. They celebrated Shivratri, Yogi Jayanti, Guru Purnima, Raksha Bandhan, Janmashtmi, Ganesh Chaturthi, Vijaya Dashmi, Chopda Pujan, Diwali and Swamishri’s birthday.
Today, in Swamishri’s puja, BAPS children sang kirtans, performed a traditional dance, delivered a speech and recitation of shlokas from the 15th Chapter of the Bhagvad Gita.
In the evening assembly kishores presented dramas on ‘Upasana’ and ‘Ten Fools’. Thereafter Swamishri was honoured with garlands. In conclusion, Swamishri blessed the assembly saying, “Junagadh is a land of enlightened rishis. Bhagwan Swaminarayan came here as Nilkanth Varni. Gunatitanand Swami was appointed as the Mahant of the Mandir and he and his sadhus toured the region to spread the knowledge of Akshar and Purushottam.” Swamishri also explained that our true form is atma, and as long as we believe ourselves to be the body we will experience misery and pain. The Gunatit Sadhu is the doorway to moksha.