Afternoon Raasotsav

The first day of the Ocala Temple Shree Ghanshyam Maharaj Murti Pratishtha Mahotsav began with a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Temple entrance with Acharya Shree Jitendriyapriyadasji Swamiji Maharaj and Ocala Temple disciples. Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa Pipe Band USA saluted Acharya Swamiji Maharaj and performed during the ribbon cutting. Over a thousand disciples observed the ceremony and celebrated during the procession. 

Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa Pipe Band USA then led a small yatra towards the event tent venue to continue with the ceremonies. Disciples joined the short parade and performed darshan of Acharya Swamiji Maharaj while chanting Lord SwaminarayanBapa Swamibapa's name. Acharya Swamiji Maharaj arrvied to the venue and disciples performed darshan as He resided upon the Gadi. The Pipe Band continued to perform as they exited the venue. The afternoon celebration concluded as disciples performed a poojan to celebrate the Murti Pratishtha Mahotsav.

In between the afternoon ceremony and the night program, maha prasad was offered to all disciples in attendance. After the prasad, a live raasotsav was scheduled. The live raasotsav performance displayed young disciples playing several musical instruments including the keyboard, dhol, octopad, and trumpet, while sants sang. Sants and male disciples performed raas around Acharya Swamiji Maharaj, while female disciples performed around a murti of Jeevanpran Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa. The performance began with a slow rhythm, allowing disciples of all ages to partake in the raasotsav and steadily increased in beat allowing for a fast-paced and fun raas at the end. After the raasotsav, disciples displayed a fireworks show in the night sky. Acharya Swamiji Maharaj, sants, and thousands of disciples enjoyed watching the fireworks light up the dark sky.