700 BAPS Sadhus, Gondal, India

27 May 2003

Rituals being performed for the bhagwati and parshad dikshas

Sadhaks engaged in the parshad diksha rituals, with their parents besides them

Parshad diksha rituals

Swamishri on stage besides the animatronic murti of Yogiji Maharaj

Swamishri performs rituals during the diksha ceremony

Performs the janoi ritual

Swamishri gives diksha-mantra and initiates a parshad into the sadhu-fold

A youth being initiated into the parshad-fold. First he receives a new kanthi from a senior sadhu ...

... then a gatariyu

... a pagh is placed on his head

... and finally Swamishri smears chandan on his forehead, chest and arms and gives him the diksha-mantra

Then the parshad and his parent stand with folded hands besides Swamishri

Newly initiated parshad, a BS Computer Science graduate from USA, and parent with Swamishri

Swamishri initiates a Nepali youth

Swamishri gives the janoi to a balak

"Swamini sena ma avjo re ..." Swamishri happily claps to the tune of the bhajan

Shri Haka Bapu recollects incidents of Yogiji Maharaj

"This is all the work of God. Through the wish of Yogiji Maharaj 700 sadhus have been initiated ..." Swamishri blesses the diksha assembly

Nine initiated sadhus with Swamishri

Twenty-two initiated parshads with Swamishri

The animatronic murti of Yogiji Maharaj sways, tells the rosary and raises its left hand to bless

Swamishri respectfully bows before the murti of Brahmaswarup Yogiji Maharaj