"Many may be called a Guru, but the one and only true Guru is Sahajanand (Lord SwaminarayanBapa Swamibapa). Only those who have resorted unto Him, will attain immense happiness and eternal bliss."

On Sunday 21st July 2019, Gurupoonam Celebrations were held at Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Bolton.

Ashad sud poonam is the auspicious Gurupoonam, one of the 3 main annual festivals of the Swaminarayan sampradaya. On this day, devotees gather and pay homage to Gurudev SwaminarayanBapa Swamibapa.

Jeevanpran Swamibapa explains the precise meaning of the Sanskrit word guru. Gu means andhkaar (darkness). Ru means prakash (light).

Thus, he who enlightens the ignorant, i.e. shines light to those in darkness, is called a Guru. It is only Lord SwaminarayanBapa Swamibapa that can enlighten us ignorant souls to the supreme bliss of eternal happiness, the endless peace of the supreme Lord. Thus our supreme Guru can only be Lord SwaminarayanBapa Swamibapa. Jeevanpran Swamibapa says, "Guru veenaa gnaan nahi." Without a Guru, knowledge cannot be attained. Lord Swaminarayan showed the importance of a Guru in ones life by taking Shree Ramanand Swami as His Guru.

The event began with Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa Pipe Band Bolton and disciples holding gifts of flowers, fruits and other ceremonial items leading Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa into the Mandir. 

 After the band paid their salutations to Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa, poojan and aarti was offered to Lord Swaminarayan. Acharya Swamishree Maharaj’s and Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa’s divine Ashirwad’s were played.

The event concluded with a cake cutting ceremony, where it was offered to Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa and Lord Swaminarayan.