Sunday 2 April 2023 | Chaitra Sud 12, Samvat 2079
Sun 2 Apr 2023
Returning from Rajasthan to Gujarat, Acharya Swamiji Maharaj travelled to the Panchmahal region.
Returning from Rajasthan to Gujarat, Acharya Swamiji Maharaj travelled to the Panchmahal region, where He went to see the ongoing construction of the new Mandir in Swaminarayan Palli. As it was the Holashtak season, the run up to Fuldolotsav, the disciples of Panchmahal sang traditional folk songs as they danced to please Acharya Swamiji Maharaj. They garlanded Acharya Swamiji Maharaj with kesuda flowers.
Kesuda flowers are also commonly known as the flame-of-the-forest. The flowers are used to prepare the traditional fuldolotsav colour called "Kesari". Each flower comprises of five petals, two wings, and a keel that resembles the beak of a curled parrot. The tree is therefore also known as the parrot tree. If winter season is too cold, too dry, or too rainy, trees will not blossom. A good crop of kesuda flowers is therefore indicative of an ideal spring climate. In Sanskrit literature, the flower is extensively used as a symbol for the arrival of spring and the colour of love, and is revered as sacred by Hindus.
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.