Jeevanpran Abji Bapashree Jayanti is the auspicious day that the supreme Lord Shree Swaminarayan willed to give darshan upon the Earth as Shree Abji Bapashree was Prabhodhini Ekadashi (Kartik Sud 11 Ekadashi, Samvat 1901), which is the first Ekadashi after the Diwali festival when the chaturmas comes to an end.

 

The anniversary of this occasion was celebrated on Friday 4th November 2022, as disciples gathered to perform the 1 hour dhoon (continuous chanting of the Lord’s name), before Shree Abji Bapashree presiding in a decorated golden cradle.

 

At the conclusion of the Aarti and Poojan, disciples were bestowed divine blessings with Ashirwad, in which the glory of our beloved Bapashree, and the purpose of His manifestation, was described.

 

The occasion serves more than one purpose, as this is also the day when:

 

  1. Lord Swaminarayan's father, Dharmadev was born, in Samvat 1796

 

  1. Sadguru Shree Ramanand Swami initiated Lord Swaminarayan as a Sant, and named Him Shree Sahajanand Swami, in Samvat 1857, in Piplana

 

  1. Sadguru Shree Ramanand Swami handed over the entire helm of the religion to Lord Swaminarayan, in Samvat 1858

 

  1. As leader of the Faith, Shreeji Maharaj presided upon His regal throne, Shree Swaminarayan Gadi. Therefore, this day is celebrated as the establishment of Shree Swaminarayan Gadi upon this Earth

 

  1. Sadguru Shree Ishwarcharandasji Swamibapa initiated Jeevanpran Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa, as a Sant, in Samvat 1986

Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Bolton and all the Mandirs of  Maninagar Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan around the world, celebrated this key event with devotional chanting of the Shree Swaminarayan Mahamantra, singing devotional songs in praise of the Lord, Jeevanpran Shree Abji Bapashree and Gurudev Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa.