“My disciples living abroad should not abandon good characters; they should remain engrossed in the Karan Satsang, and should not forget their duty. They should remain self-disciplined and adherent to the commandments of the supreme Lord Shree Swaminarayan and Jeevanpran Shree Abji Bapashree."

With the aim of instilling this understanding within the disciples of East Africa, Jeevanpran Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa travelled to the African continent with four sants and one parshad by ship.

On Tuesday, 6th April 1948, Jeevanpran Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa sailed from the port of Mumbai to the coastal city of Mombasa, Kenya. Ten days after leaving Mumbai, on Friday 16th April 1948, Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa’s steam ship docked at the destination, Mombasa and on this day He set foot on African soil. This was a revolutionary event. Until then, no sant had ever left India. It was considered unacceptable for any sant to venture out of the 'holy land of India' and go to foreign lands. Swamibapa's first visit to East Africa was regarded with the utmost of contempt by sants in other sects. Jeevanpran Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa ignored the disapproval of others and concerned Himself only with the welfare of His disciples. A large number of disciples travelled from Nairobi to Mombasa to warmly welcome Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa after which the group travelled back to Nairobi via a train. Upon arrival at the Nairobi Railway Station, a grand procession was held to Jadvabhai Mulji Vekaria's residence, where Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa was to reside, with no decorated chariots but by everyone travelling on foot chanting the glorious name of Lord Shree Swaminarayan. 

To propagate the tenets of Jeevanpran Shree Abji Bapashree and further spread the teachings and principles of Lord Shree Swaminarayan and Jeevanpran Shree Abji Bapashree, Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa discussed His plans with the disciples to look for a suitable piece of land on which to build a new temple of their own where they could peacefully worship the Lord.

This magnificent festival, which will be held from 22 to 26 December 2022, will celebrate with great splendour and fervour 75 years to when Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa first set foot on African soil and the 70th anniversary of Shree Swaminarayan Mandir - Nairobi. Hundreds of disciples will gather to experience the spiritual ecstasy of this festival. The five days will be filled with spectacular musical and dance performances, grand processions, scripture recitals, divine blessings from Gnan Mahodadhi Acharya Shree Jitendriyapriyadasji Swamiji Maharaj, and inspiring displays of devotion – in all, a truly unmissable experience.