Day 1
| Morning Images | |
| Morning Video | |
| Afternoon Nagaryatra |
The first day of the celebrations began with HDH Acharya Swamishree performing Mangla Aarti to Lord Swaminarayanbapa Swamibapa. He then performed poojan to the divine scriptures ( Vachanamrut & Abji Bapashree Ni Vato) and commenced the scripture recitals.
At 8:00am, a swagat yatra of Lord Swaminarayan commenced from 2nd Parklands to the temple. The procession was led by Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa Pipe Band comprising of members from USA, India, London, Bolton and Nairobi.
This was the first time ever when all the five bands performed together. Over 140 band members and about 50 cadets took part in this unique swagat yatra. Acharya Swamishree’s chariot entered the temple gate and the bands gave a guard of honour. Everyone then took their position in the sabha mandap to listen to HDH Acharya Swamishree’s divine blessings. In his blessings HDH Acharya Swamishree emphasised the importance of our mother tounge – Gujarati. He said that to understand the deep and real meaning of the scriptures it is of utmost importance that one must learn to read and write Gujarati. He blessed all the teachers and students of Swamibapa Education Centre who had given a spectacular drama performance the previous night. He also said that any work that is done voluntarily with unity and enthusiasm is always exceptional. Such work is always done with lot of love towards the Lord. He blessed all those who helped in all the preparations of Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
Nagaryatra
A grande procession took place in the afternoon. It commenced from Kenyatta International Confrence Centre ( KICC), came on to City Hall Way, Mama Ngina Street, Moi Avenue, Muranga Road, Globe Round About, Kipande Road, Forest Road, Parklands Road, Limuru Road, 2nd Parklands Avenue and concluded at the temple on Swamibapa Road. En route it passed by some unique landmarks – KICC building, City Hall, Hilton Hotel, Khoja Mosque, National Museum, City Park and finally the artistical Swamibapa Temple on Swamibapa Road.
All the five pipe bands performed during the entire procession. Thousands of people were attracted by the sight of this grande procession as it passed through the Central Business District (CBD). The procession comprising of floats, antique cars, devotees in pink paagh, pipe bands, cadets and dancing girls attracted thousands of onlookers who flooded the streets of Nairobi to have a glimpse of this rare event.
Throughout the procession, a Helicopter showered flower petals upon the procession and attracted people from far and wide. No one missed an opportunity to take a photo of this exceptional event in the streets of Nairobi. A stunning display of fireworks lit up the dark skies of Nairobi as the procession culminated at the temple.
Everyone had Lord’s Mahaprasad at the end as they dispersed with sweet memories of the entire day.
