Saturday 25 March 2023 | Chaitra Sud 4, Samvat 2079

Sat 25 Mar 2023

Sadbhav Parva - Day 1 Sadbhav Parva - Day 2

Acharya Swamishree Bhav Pushpanjali - Day 1
Bhakti Sangeet - Acharya Swamishree Bhav Pushpanjali - Day 2

Acharya Swamishree Bhav Pushpanjali - Day 3

 

Ved Ratna Acharya Shree Purushottampriyadasji Swamishree Maharaj manifested on this Earth on 28th May 1942 (Samvat 1998 Adhik Jeth Sud 13). Since being bequeathed Shree Swaminarayan Gadi and appointed its Acharya by Gurudev Jeevanpran Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa, Ved Ratna Acharya Swamishree Maharaj has showered the most divine love on all His beloved Sants and disciples all over the world. This was none-more apparent than during the numerous celebrations on the anniversaries of His manifestation.

Each year during His worldwide vicharans, disciples of Shree Swaminarayan Gadi celebrated His ‘birthday’ as an opportunity to show their love and devotion to Prem Murti Bapa, and Acharya Swamishree Maharaj benevolently accepted that adoration for no other reason, but for His acquiescence to the spiritual yearnings of His children. Moreover, these celebrations created indelible memories for all disciples - memories that will be cherished forever in all of our hearts.

Prem Murti Bapa’s 79th Pragatya Jayanti was the first to have taken place since He willed to withdraw His human darshan from this world. Acharya Shree Jitendriyapriya Swamiji Maharaj inspired worldwide celebrations to mark this occasion at Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Mandirs throughout the globe – celebrations that invoked the splendid memories of previous birthdays, as well as further imbibed Bapa’s values and teaching into His disciples.

Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Kingsbury marked this occasion with a three-day festival from Friday 28th to Sunday 30th May. Online events took place each evening, and the Mandir was open throughout this period for disciples to have the darshan of Lord Shree Swaminarayanbapa Swamibapa and Ved Ratna Acharya Swamishree Maharaj.

At the Mandir, wonderful Annakut were offered to Acharya Swamishree Maharaj, and beautiful Murtis of Prem Murti Bapa lined the pathways as hundreds of disciples came to pay their respects throughout the weekend. The three-day festival also incorporated the 115th anniversary of the Jeevanpran Abji Bapashree ni Vato (Parts 1 and 2) scripture, and the 154th anniversary since the manifestation of Sadguru Shree Ishwarcharandasji Swamibapa.

Online events included a delightful presentation by the young students of Swamibapa Gujarati School, during which they recalled their personal memories of past Pragatya Jayanti celebrations; a kirtan bhakti concert by Swamibapa Orchestra; a number of speeches and recollections from Sants and disciples, in which they described Ved Ratna Acharya Swamishree Maharaj’s complete selflessness, unparalleled greatness, inexhaustible compassion and unsurpassed Guru-bhakti; and video darshan of previous Pragatya Jayanti events.

The three-day festival was a perfect blend of recalling the glory and greatness of Ved Ratna Acharya Swamishree Maharaj, remembering His supremely beneficial teachings, reminiscing about the wonderful memories He created of us, and affirming our pledge to Lord Shree Swaminarayanbapa Swamibapa and Ved Ratna Acharya Swamishree Maharaj, that we will all afford the very same love, devotion and obedience to Acharya Shree Jitendriyapriya Swamiji Maharaj as he have to our Prem Murti Bapa.