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Gurupoonam - Shree Swaminarayan Temple Bear, Delaware

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 Gurupoornima celebrations happened on Monday, July 3rd, 2023. Acharya Swamiji Maharaj and sants led the celebrations at a local venue called the Nur Shine Center in New Castle, Delaware.

The celebrations commenced with a swagat yatra to honor our Gurudev Jeevanpran Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa escorted by Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa Pipe Band USA. Upon arriving inside the hall, Acharya Swamiji Maharaj performed the Guru-poojan ceremony to Jeevanpran Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa and later to Prem Murti Acharya Swamishree Maharaj. Disciples also carried in chaabs with abundant offerings for Lord Shree Swaminarayanbapa Swamibapa and presented the various offerings.

Following the poojan, disciples performed aarti and Guru-poojan of Gurudev Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa. The congregation then listened to Acharya Swamiji Maharaj's ashirwad to conclude the ceremony. All disciples in attendance were also offered mahaprasad.