It is appropriate for disciples to perform humble services for the Lord and the Mandir. On this occasion however, it was the Lord Himself who served the Sants and disciples. He prepared a lavish meal of aubergine curry (Shak) and served it to everyone. This continued for two and a half months. Each day, the Lord Himself cooked and served. By the end of this Shatotsav festival, Lord Shree Swaminarayan had prepared the aubergine curry using 360kgs of fresh ghee, 1200kgs of aubergines, and added 100kgs of spices.
In remembrance of this episode when Lord Shree Swaminarayan demonstrated the importance of performing selfless, humble services to please the Lord, the Shakotsav festival is held in Mandirs all around the world during the winter season. A splendid array of fresh curries are offered to the Lord and the consecrated food (Prasad) is then distributed amongst the disciples.
The Shakotsav celebration was celebrated by devotees of Shree Swaminarayan Temple Ocala on Saturday, February 26, 2023. The evening begins with Kirtan-Bhakti, which was followed by Lord Swaminarayanbapa Swamibapa's Samuh Aarti, Uchaav, and Sandhya Aarti. After the evening, everyone enjoyed Mahaprasad.
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.
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