Day 1

Images

22nd December 2010, the day that everyone had been eagerly waiting for, finally arrived. People travelled from all corners of the world, including USA, UK, India, Australia, Uganda, Sudan, Seychelles, Tanzania and all parts of Kenya to celebrate this auspicious Mahotsav. 
The celebration commenced with Mangla Aarti. Hundreds of disciples had gathered for the divine darshan of Lord Swaminarayanbapa Swamibapa adorned in stunning garments and ornaments. The benefactors of the parayan performed poojan, parayan aarti and pinned a Dashabdi Mahotsav badge to His Divine Holiness Acharya Swamishree’s robes. His Divine Holiness Acharya Swamishree then commenced the recital of the Vachnamrut Rahasyarth Pradipika Tika scripture.

For lunch, disciples enjoyed lavish maha-prasad of Rajwari (dry fruit) Shikhand, Puri, Khamaan, Kaddhi bhaat and Chhaas.

In the evening, His Divine Holiness Acharya Swamishree performed Sandhya Aarti and daily niyams and kirtan bhakti. Once again, the main temple hall was filled with disciples who had gathered for the Rasotsav. His Divine Holiness Acharya Swamishree was adorned in colourful vagha (dress). He was presented with a Dashabdi Mahotsav Card after which He lit peace candles to mark the commencement of The Dashabdi Mahotsav celebrations amid loud applause and cheers. His Divine Holiness Acharya Swamishree inaugurated the Photo Gallery which potrays sweet memories of Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa and His Divine Holiness Acharya Swamishree's various celebrations in Nairobi dating from 1948 to the present day.

Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa  Sangeet Academy, Nairobi then took centre stage with live music and kirtans (devotional songs) for the commencement of the Rasotsav. Young disciples dressed in Indian traditional clothes commenced the Rasotsav with a spectacular display as more and more disciples joined in. The day concluded with young disciples performing Sanedo - Indian traditional dance. Delicious maha-prasad of ‘Bateta Vaana’ and ‘Bundi’ was served to thousands of disciples as they dispersed with sweet memories of the commencement of the Dashabdi Mahotsav.