Sunday, August 5th, 2018, was the 17th Patotsav of Shree Swaminarayan Temple New Jersey. Exactly seventeen years ago, His Divine Holiness Acharya Swamishree performed the divine idol installation ceremony and the Suvarna Tula (ceremonial weighing against 750 kilograms of pure gold) of Lord Shree Swaminarayan, Jeevanpran Shree Abji Bapashree, and Jeevanpran Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa at Shree Swaminarayan Temple New Jersey.

After mangala aarti, Acharya Swamishree performed poojan to Shree Ganpatiji and Shree Hanumanji's murtis. At 8 AM, Acharya Swamishree commenced the shodshopchaar poojan of Lord Shree Swaminarayanbapa Swmaibapa. During the poojan, sants and disciples chanted the sacred 108 names of Lord Shree Swaminarayanbapa Swamibapa and the mahamantra together. A grand annakut was then offered to Lord Swaminarayanbapa Swamibapa, and Acharya Swamishree cut a celebration cake in honor of the occasion. With the help from North Hudson Regional Fire Department, the flags of the temple were also changed and raised to mark the temple entering its eighteenth year. 

Following the ceremony, Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa Pipe Band U.S.A. escorted Acharya Swamishree, sants, and honored guests to Swamibapa Hall. Honored guests Secaucus Mayor Michael Gonnellli, United States Congressman Bill Pascrell, and Secaucus Councilman John Gerbasio, were then all greeted by Acharya Swamishree with prasaad paags, garlands, shawls, prasaad, and raakhis (with Rakshabandhan upcoming). Honored guest Secaucus Concilwoman Orietta Tringali was also presented with a garland, shawl, and prasaad. This was the first time a U.S. Congressman had visited the temple, and Congressman Bascrell was extremely pleased to be part of the temple's celebrations.

Acharya Swamishree then inaugurated the newest audio book on SwaminarayanGadi.com, Shree Harililamrutam Kalash 4. He then showered His divine blessings for this auspicious occasion on the congregation of disciples and guests. The event concluded with presentation of certificates to recent graduates (high school, college, graduate school) by Achayra Swamishree before He was escorted out of Swamibapa Hall by disciples. Delicious annakut prasad and mahaprasad were then served to all outdoors.