Makar Sankranti (Uttarayan)
At 12.10 p.m. Swamishri performed the murti-pratishtha rituals of Shri Akshar-Purushottam Maharaj, Shri Radha-Krishna, Shri Sita-Ram, Shri Shiv-Parvati, Shri Hanumanji, Shri Ganapatiji and Shri Guru Parampara for the BAPS hari mandir in Allen Town, Pennsylvania. After darshan of Thakorji and of Shastriji Maharaj at the Yagnapurush Smruti Mandir Swamishri arrived at the Narayan Mandapam where the Uttarayan festival was arranged. Swamishri gave darshan to sadhus and devotees seated in the assembly hall. Discourses on the Uttarayan festival were held prior to Swamishri’s arrival. Then a pre-recorded version of Swamishri’s jholi call was relayed in the assembly. The devotees clapped and cheered at Swamishri’s jholi call. Thereafter, Swamishri inaugurated three English publications by Swaminarayan Aksharpith: Bhagwan Swaminarayan, The Story of His Life, written by Yogi Trivedi, Vibrations, Part 2 and In the Joy of Others. Then Swamishri was given a string attached to a kite, which he pulled to the joy of all the devotees. The senior sadhus honoured Swamishri with garlands. After giving darshan and blessings to all Swamishri returned to his quarters.