Ashad Sud Poonam is the auspicious day when we pay homage to our Gurudev. This year, this special occasion was celebrated on Wednesday 13th July 2022. In the Sanatan Hindu traditions, the role of a Guru has been given the most significant importance for the spiritual progression of one's life, not only in this birth but also thereafter. For that reason, Gurupoonam is one of the three major annual festivals in the Swaminarayan Faith, and is a celebration marked by Shree Swaminarayan Gadi communities around the world.
A Guru is He who shows the path to God. A Guru is He who eliminates the darkness from within us, and shows us the light - He leads us to the lotus feet of the supreme Lord. We are fortunate to have in our lives such a remarkably eminent, Gurudev Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa, Ved Ratna Acharya Swamishree Maharaj and at present, Acharya Swamiji Maharaj through whom the supreme Lord Shree Swaminarayanbapa and the divine Guruparampara currently give darshan.
To start the celebrations, a procession was led by Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa Pipe Band, to ceremoniously bring Gurudev Swamibapa into the Mandir. Gurudev Swamibapa was carried in a golden palanquin by disciples. As the Band continued to perform devotional melodies, adoration was performed to Gurudev Swamibapa and Ved Ratna Acharya Swamishree Maharaj. Gurudev Swamibapa was adorned with a fresh flower chaadar and moogat, and a celebration cake was cut and offered to Him. All the disciples were given the opportunity to perform adoration to Gurudev Swamibapa and Ved Ratna Acharya Swamishree Maharaj and then perform aarti.
A special video compilation of ashirwad snippets about the importance and significance of the day, and the greatness of our beloeved Gurudev Swamibapa was shown.