Tuesday 9 August 2022 | Shravan Sud 12, Samvat 2078
Tue 9 Aug 2022
On July 2nd, 2022, Shree Swaminarayan Temple Virginia held a welcome ceremony for Acharya Shree Jitendriyapriyadasji Swamiji Maharaj. The ceremony commenced as Acharya Swamiji Maharaj resided upon a horse drawn carriage and disciples chanted religious hymns to celebrate His Holiness' arrival. Upon Acharya Swamiji Maharaj's arrival to the Temple Hall, disciples performed poojan of His Holiness.
Disciples celebrated this auspicious event as Acharya Swamiji Maharaj entered the Virginia Temple for the first time as our Sansthan's Acharya. Acharya Swamiji Maharaj performed kalash darshan and poojan of Ved Ratna Acharya Swamishree Maharaj before residing upon the Gadi. Scott Hurd, a Virginia native and member of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also greeted Acharya Swamiji Maharaj.
Disciples then began the Bhakti Sangeet festivities. The program displayed younger disciples beautifully singing kirtans for the entire sabha to gleefully listen. The event concluded with sandhya aarti. After the aarti, all disciples in attendance were provided prashad.
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.