Friday 22 September 2023 | Bhadarva Sud 7, Samvat 2079
Fri 22 Sep 2023
The auspicious day of Ashad Sud Poonam, also known as Gurupoonam or Guru Purnima, was celebrated at Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Kingsbury on Monday 3rd July 2023. This day falls on a full moon in the Hindu month of Ashad and holds immense significance in Hindu culture. Gurupoonam is a celebration of Gurus. A Guru is He who shows the path to God, He who eliminates the darkness from within us, and shows us the light; providing wisdom, and establishing moral values. We are fortunate to have in our lives such a remarkably eminent, Gurudev Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa, Ved Ratna Acharya Swamishree Maharaj andGnan Mahodadhi Acharya Swamiji Maharaj through whom the supreme Lord Shree Swaminarayanbapa and the divine Guruparampara currently give darshan.
Devotees of Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Kingsbury commemorated this day with great fervour and devotion towards our Gurus. The festivities began with a procession led by the melodies of Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa Pipe Band, which brought Gurudev Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa into the Mandir on a golden palanquin. Gurudev Swamibapa was adorned with a fresh flower chaadar and moogat. Adoration was performed to our Gurudev Swamibapa and Ved Ratna Acharya Swamishree Maharaj, and all the disciples got the opportunity to perform aarti.
The disciples then had the opportunity to watch a compilation of discourses by our Gurus, emphasising the significance and glory of this day.
The celebrations concluded with the offering of prasad to all the devotees, fostering a sense of unity and spiritual nourishment.
Acharya Shree Jitendriyapriyadasji Swamiji Maharaj is the current spiritual leader of Maninagar Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan. He is the heir to Acharya Shree Purushottampriyadasji Swamishree Maharaj, and sixth in the lineage of ascetic Acharyas, which descends directly from Lord Shree Swaminarayan.