On Saturday 12^th January 2019, Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Bolton held its annual shibir. Jeevan Ghadtar Satsang Shibir is a truly unique and remarkable event. Taking months of organisation and preparation from the organisers, it comprises a series of activities that have three main objectives:

Teach participants about the glory of our faith, the supremacy of Lord Shree Swaminarayan, the greatness of our Guru Parampara, and the paramount nature Shree Swaminarayan Swaminarayan Gadi.

Convey and nurture key skills that are useful in all aspects of everyday life, such as leadership, public speaking, problem solving and team working.

Develop important values such as resilience, unity, honesty, inclusivity, humility and perseverance.

All of this is done through fun and games, challenges and tasks.  The youth of the congregation is divided into 4 groups, namely: Ghanshyam Maharaj; Jeevanpran Abji Bapashree; Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa and Acharya Shree Purushottampriyadasji Swamishree Maharaj, as many of the events are competitive – incentivising the participants to do their best to secure their “league” position at the end of the Shibir. Mental and physical tasks are then undertaken by all teams, which challenge their knowledge of the Satsang, test their intellectual strength and call on their physical capabilities – points are awarded for successes, with everyone desperately keen to become the coveted Shibir 2019 champions.

This years winning team was Ghanshyam Maharaj with other teams following in closely behind.