2007 marked the centenary for the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha. Thousands of people attended the centenary celebrations held in major metropolises around the world, such as Nairobi, New York, London, Chicago, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Houston, Mumbai, Surat, Toronto, and more. The year-long celebrations ended with a grand, 4-day finale held in Ahmedabad, India. From December 13th to 17th, half a million people from around the world attended this spectacular celebration. Each day was filled with colorful cultural programs highlighting different values of Hindu Sanatan Dharma and the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha.
December 13, 2007 – The 4-day celebration began with a spectacular inauguration ceremony. The first day, themed “Inspiring Values,” highlighted 6 values that are at the core of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha. The cultural program explained how these values, namely, Siddhant (Founding Philosophy), Sadhuta (Saintliness), Seva (Selfless Service), Samarpan (Sacrifice), Samp (Unity), and Satpurush (God-Realized Sant), have inspired millions of people throughout the past century to live moral and spiritual lives.
December 14, 2007 – The second day of this festival was themed BAPS Women’s Day. This day’s celebrations portrayed how women of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha have progressed in their personal, professional, and family lives. The evening program focused on how the women’s wing has contributed to the successful advancement of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha through various growth and development initiatives.
December 15, 2007 – The third day celebrated BAPS children’s activities. “Transforming Tomorrow” illustrated how the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha has nurtured children over the past 100 years. Thousands of children dressed in colorful costumes filled the stage and performed captivating dances. Their connection to and affection for their 87-year-old guru was moving and comparable only to the selfless love and concern shown by the elderly guru for them.
December 17, 2007 –The last and final day of this celebration marked Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s 87th birthday. The evening program centered on Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s adage, “In the Joy of Others, Lies Our Own” and depicted how he inspires countless people to live ethical lives and to progress on the path of spirituality. People from around the world shared their personal accounts of inspiration.