Ashad sud poonam is the auspicious Gurupoornima, one of the 3 main annual festivals of Maninagar Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan. On this day, devotees gather and pay homage to our beloved Gurudev Jeevanpran Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa.

Jeevanpran Swamibapa explains the precise meaning of the Sanskrit word “Guru.”

“Gu” means andhkaar (darkness).
“Ru” means prakash (light).

Thus, he who enlightens the ignorant, i.e. shines light to those in darkness, is called a Guru. It is only Lord Swaminarayanbapa Swamibapa that can enlighten us ignorant souls to the supreme bliss of eternal happiness, the endless peace of the supreme Lord. Thus, our supreme Guru can only be Lord Swaminarayanbapa Swamibapa. Jeevanpran Swamibapa says, "Guru veenaa gnaan nahi." Without a Guru, knowledge cannot be attained. Lord Shree Swaminarayan Himself showed the importance of a Guru in one’s life by taking Shree Ramanand Swami as His Guru.

This year, the auspicious day of Gurupoornima fell on Wednesday 13 July, 2022, and the disciples of the Secuacus Temple had the great blessing of being able to celebrate this important occasion in the presence of divine sants.

The celebrations started with a parade to escort Jeevanpran Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa to the Temple hall. Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa Pipe Band USA saluted our Gurudev Jeevanpran Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa and then led the swagat yatra to the Temple Hall. Upon arriving inside the celebration hall, sants performed the Gurupoojan ceremony to Jeevanpran Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa. Disciples also carried in chaabs with abundant offerings for Lord Shree Swaminarayanbapa Swamibapa and presented the various offerings. Disciples also had the opportunity to perform panchamrut snan to the divine lotus feet of Lord Shree Swaminarayan. All disciples then had the chance to perform Gurupoojan.

The congregation then listened to katha performed by sants and performed darshan of sandhya aarti. All disciples in attedance were also offered prasad.