Tuesday 3 October 2023 | Bhadarva Vad 5, Samvat 2079

Tue 3 Oct 2023

Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa East Africa Padarpan Amrut Mahotsav
“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.

The Invitation

Mahotsav Schedule

Date Time Event
Wednesday, December 21, 2022 Evening Vachanamrut Rahasyarth Pradeepika Tika, Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Scripture Mahapooja
Thursday, December 22, 2022 6:00AM Mangla Aarti followed by Commencement of Scripture Recitals by Shree Gurupriyadasji Swami
  6:00PM Sandhya Aarti
  6:30PM Mahotsav Opening Ceremony
  8:15PM Devotional Programme by Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa Gujarati Academy
Friday, December 23, 2022 6:00AM Mangla Aarti followed by Scripture Recitals by Shree Gurupriyadasji Swami
  5:30PM Sandhya Aarti
  6:00PM Shree Sadguru Din Celebration - Kirtan-bhakti, dhyan followed by Acharya Swamiji Maharaj's Divine Blessings
  8:00PM Raasotsav
Saturday, December 24, 2022 6:00AM Mangla Aarti followed by Scripture Recitals by Shree Vignanprakashdasji Swami
  4:00PM Nagaryatra - Westgate, Peponi roundabout followed by fireworks in the evening
Sunday, December 25, 2022 6:00AM Mangla Aarti
  8:30PM Scripture Recitals by Sadguru Shree Bhagwatpriyadasji Swami
  9:00AM Welcome Ceremony followed by Conclusion of Scripture Recitals, Acharya Swamiji Maharaj's Divine Blessings and Maha-Prasad
  4:30PM Ladies' Shibir
  6:00PM Sandhya Aarti
  6:30PM Maha-Prasad
  8:00PM Devotional Programme and Cultural Dances
Monday, December 26, 2022 6:00AM Mangla Aarti
  8:15AM Patotsav Ceremony, Annakut Darshan, Aarti, Jeevanpran Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa's Divine Blessings, Acharya Swamiji Maharaj's Divine Blessings followed by Mahotsav Closing Ceremony

Venue

A. Shree Swaminarayan Mandir, Nairobi

Swamibapa Road
off 2nd Parklands Avenue
P.O. Box 11752 - 00400
Nairobi, Kenya

B. Nagaryatra Starting Point

Westgate - Peponi
Nairobi, Kenya