A Month-long Grand Festival of Inspiration in India to Celebrate Pramukh Swami Maharaj's Centennial Year

The grand centennial celebration of His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj was inaugurated on Wednesday, December 14, 2022, in Ahmedabad, India by Honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi and His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj. The festival is a culmination of worldwide five-year centennial celebrations and months of preparations by over 80,000 dedicated volunteers.  

 

The Prime Minister offered his heartfelt tribute by placing flowers before the beautiful 30-foot sculpted image of Pramukh Swami Maharaj. Then, during a tour of the 600-acre "Pramukh Swami Nagar" (festival grounds), inclusive of inspiring attractions, insightful exhibitions and enlightening programs paying tribute to his life and impact, the Prime Minister was guided through various displays and performances of moral stories and inspiring values. The Prime Minister then joined Mahant Swami Maharaj on the main assembly stage, where they were enthusiastically greeted by tens of thousands of devotees present while millions watched live around the world.

 

In relaying his personal experiences with guru Pramukh Swami Maharaj, Prime minister Modi shared, "Pramukh Swami Maharaj did not give me great lectures, but delivered profound truths through simple words and his example. He cared for me even when I was not in office, just as a mother would for her child. His presence always gave me peace and reassurance."

 

The festival will continue through January 15, 2023, and each evening will feature a themed assembly focusing on the life, work, and messages of His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj. In the mornings, academic conferences will present research topics ranging from temple architecture and Hindu literature to women's empowerment and social uplift by national and international members of academia. In addition, specific conferences will bring together various professional associations, such as lawyers, doctors, and, entrepreneurs. Afternoons will feature programs with presentations and performances planned and produced by women.  

 

On December 15, Home Minister of India Amit Shah inaugurated the month-long 'International Convention for Better Living' in the presence of His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj and many leading industrialists of India. The evening assembly started with a unique symphony of 150 performers from 19 countries and 33 Indian instruments.  

 

The convention on December 15 highlighted Pramukh Swami Maharaj's life's work in inspiring addiction-free lives. Under his leadership, BAPS became a global movement providing unprecedented spiritual, social and cultural services for society through more than 160 humanitarian activities. In noting the spiritual energy, he felt at the nagar; Gautam Adani, Chairman of Adani Group, remarked, "One stunning example of such an entity is the BAPS Mandir in Abu Dhabi, which is the symbol of unification across races, religions, and nations. Swamishri's principle that humanity must be built on a consciousness of unification and unshakable integrity to serve without expectations is now nowhere better reflected than the Mandir in Abu Dhabi. Such an ability to unify millions of people comes not from the limiting power of geographical boundaries, but from the unlimited power of a unified effort."

In noting his legacy, the Chairman of Zydus Cadila, Pankaj Patel, said, "As a spiritual leader, Pramukh Swami Maharaj propagated the message of equality regardless of caste, creed or religion. He was forever focused on uplifting the lowest members of society." Charmain of GMR Group G. M. Rao said, "He possessed nothing, wanted nothing, asked for nothing, and yet he has given us everything. His simple, humble and direct words were a reflection of the supreme divinity within him."

 

On December 16, the program celebrated "Culture Day, Celebrating India Culture" with captivating and thought-provoking presentations and performances that conveyed Pramukh Swami Maharaj's remarkable efforts as a torchbearer of Indian culture and heritage worldwide through. 

 

Mahamahopadhyaya Bhadreshdas Swami, a scholar and swami of BAPS—who composed commentaries on the three foundational scriptures of Hinduism–said, "Our culture is generous as it is one of inclusive debate. The inauguration ceremony of Akshardham Delhi saw the presence of the President of India, the Prime Minister of India and the Leader of the Opposition on one platform. This was reported in the media, which stated that a Muslim President, a Sikh Prime Minister and a Hindu leader together inaugurated Akshardham. This inclusiveness was the hallmark of Pramukh Swami."

On December 17, the evening program focused on the life force behind Pramukh Swami Maharaj, his devotion and faith in God, themed "Parabhakti Day." Talks by Swamis closest to him reflected on the centrality of devotion in Pramukh Swami Maharaj's life and his constant communion with God. Incidents from his life revealed that in times of honor or insult, difficulty or ease, joy or sorrow, victory or defeat, Pramukh Swami Maharaj remained absorbed in God.

On December 18, the "My Mandir, My Home" program focused on a fundamental contribution of Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the establishment of 1,231 mandirs worldwide. Dignitaries paid tribute to Pramukh Swami Maharaj's efforts to re-envision and rejuvenate the ancient mandir tradition in Hinduism that rekindled spirituality, preserved and propagated humanity's invaluable spiritual heritage, and served society and the world. Every mandir created by Pramukh Swami Maharaj around the world is like an embassy of Indian and Hindu heritage. Pramukh Swami Maharaj's mandirs inspired youths towards spirituality and service.

 

Sachchidanand Joshi, Executive and Academic Head of Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts said, "Pramukh Swami Maharaj's mammoth task of creating temples, was not just about creating houses of worship, but also about creating centers of education and social service that revived heritage and spiritual tradition." 

His Holiness Swami Govind Dev Giri Ji Maharaj, Treasurer of the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, said, "I am here to bow my head to the person who showered the whole world with love. Pramukh Swami Maharaj was a true sadhu, a true renunciate. He himself was the manifestation of a Mandir. Akshardham was built to last a thousand years, but the volunteers built by Pramukh Swami Maharaj are the immortal temples built by him."

 

Noting the transformative power of mandirs, Mahant Swami Maharaj, present spiritual leader of BAPS, shared, "Pramukh Swami Maharaj has said the mandir is a place to realize God. While it appears to be made of stone, each stone is infused with a divine life force and is a factory for making an ideal human."

 

The month-long celebration is Mahant Swami Maharaj's vision to provide inspiration from the life, efforts, teachings, actions, and contributions of Pramukh Swami Maharaj.

 

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About BAPS

The BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) is a spiritual, volunteer-driven organization dedicated to improving society through individual growth by fostering the Hindu ideals of faith, unity, and selfless service. Its worldwide network of 3,800 centers supports these character-building activities. Under the guidance and leadership of His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, BAPS aspires to build a community that is free of addictions as well as morally, ethically, and spiritually pure. For more details, please visit www.baps.org.

About Pramukh Swami Maharaj

Pramukh Swami Maharaj was the fifth spiritual successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. Under his leadership, BAPS grew into an international spiritual and humanitarian organization with over 3,300 centers worldwide. He dedicated his life to the well-being of others, traveling throughout the world to foster love, peace, harmony, righteousness, faith in God, and service to humanity. With genuine care and compassion, he reached out to all members of society irrespective of class, color, or age. Recognized and respected as one of India's greatest spiritual teachers, he lived by and promoted the principle: “In the joy of others, lies our own.”

About Mahant Swami Maharaj

His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj is the sixth and current spiritual successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. He was ordained a swami by Yogiji Maharaj in 1961 and named Sadhu Keshavjivandas. As he was appointed the head (Mahant) of the Mandir in Mumbai, he became known as Mahant Swami. His devout, humble, and service-focused life earned him the innermost blessings of Yogiji Maharaj and Pramukh Swami Maharaj. Mahant Swami Maharaj travels throughout the world inspiring people through his insightful spiritual discourses and disciplined conduct. His virtuous lifestyle and profound devotion to Bhagwan Swaminarayan and gurus are ideals toward which devotees strive. Mahant Swami Maharaj became the guru and President of BAPS upon Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s passing in 2016.

‘Pramukh Swami Maharaj Centennial Celebration’ being Inaugurated by Honorable Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi & and His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj.

On December 15, Home Minister of India Amit Shah inaugurated the month-long 'International Convention for Better Living' in the presence of His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj.

Home Minister of India Amit addressing the assembly.

Mahamahopadhyaya Bhadreshdas Swami addressing the assembly.

Sachchidanand Joshi, Executive and Academic Head of Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts addressing the assembly.

Festival grounds of the Pramukh Swami Maharaj Centennial Celebration