Grand 97th Birthday Celebrations of Brahmaswarup Pramukh Swami Maharaj in Anand
The grand 97th birthday celebration of Brahmswarup Pramukh Swami Maharaj was held in Anand in the presence of a mammoth gathering of over 200,000 devotees and well-wishers. Devotees from all parts of India and from countries across the globe including USA, UK, France, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, South Africa and the Middle East nations.
The three-hour programme from 5.00 pm to 8.00 pm comprised of a variety of devotional songs, traditional dances, video presentations and speeches by senior sadhus. The central theme of this year’s celebration was ‘Guruji- Nahi Bhulu Tamne’ (‘Guruji – I Will Never Foget You’) – Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s transcendental virtues and the transformational experiences of sadhus, devotees and well-wishers over the years. Total 30 sadhus and 200 volunteers had tirelessly worked to erect a 180 feet long, 100 feet wide and 60 feet high, ornate stage and backgrounds. Total 14 LED screens were deployed on the place. Remarkably, more than 15, 000 male and female BAPS volunteers served in 34 departments in this festivity.
It was announced that the BAPS Swaminarayan literature will be a part of the IGNOU curriculum as Swaminarayan Hindu Vedic Studies. There will be certificate, bachelor, post graduate and PHD courses available. Vice Chancellor of IGNOU also remained present on this occasion. P. Viveksagar Swami, a senior BAPS sadhu, shared incidents of selflessness from Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s life. He expressed how Pramukh Swami Maharaj had tirelessly travelled to fulfill devotees’ wishes. Other senior sadguru sadhus of BAPS, P. Kothari Swami, P. Tyagvallabh Swami, P. Ishwarcharan Swami also shared divine inspirations from the life and work of Pramukh Swami Maharaj.
Many dignitaries also recollected their own personal memories with Pramukh Swami Maharaj and explained how such experiences have bettered their lives. Shri Nazim Al Kudsi, eminent businessman from UAE, who has served as the CEO of Invest Abu Dhabi and managed sovereign fund of Abu Dhabi as well. His grandfather served as the Prime Minister and later President of Syria. A few years ago, he met Pramukh Swami Maharaj in Ahmedabad and by his own account, his life changed thereafter. He reminisced his transformational spiritual experiences with Pramukh Swami Maharaj. He said that how he saw Pramukh Swami Maharaj as a vast spiritual reservoir. P. Doctor Swami, one of the senior sadguru sadhus of BAPS exclaimed that imbibing Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s divine virtues in one’s life and molding one’s self according to his wishes would be the best tribute to him.
In his blessings, HH Mahant Swami Maharaj stated to make one’s life spiritually centric. He propounded importance of spiritual understanding and awareness in every small act. He told that every act of offering devotion should be driven by singular aim of pleasing God and Pramukh Swami Maharaj. The celebration culminated in an ecstatic sight of hundreds and 200,000 lamps lighted together to perform arti.
The spiritually uplifting evening was concluded with a colourful celebratory dance. All felt the joy of reviving the old memories of Pramukh Swami Maharaj and a feeling that he is still with us today through Mahant Swami Maharaj. The celebrations were enjoyed by countless devotees gathered in Anand and also through live telecast and live webcast.
On this occasion, PM Shri Narendra Modi tweeted, ‘I join the lakhs of devotees from across the world and bow to HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj on his Jayanti. He was a remarkable soul whose exemplary service and humanitarian efforts positively impacted countless lives.’ ‘My relation with HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj was a special one. The time I spent with him was memorable. I am fortunate to have been blessed by him. Here is what I had spoken about him in Sarangpur last year.’
HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s rich thoughts continue to guide people, transcending all barriers. We are always motivated by his vision to transform lives of the needy, poor and marginalised.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 27, 2017
My relation with HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj was a special one. The time I spent with him was memorable. I am fortunate to have been blessed by him. Here is what I had spoken about him in Sarangpur last year. https://t.co/DH8p7lVDeM
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 27, 2017
Yesterday, on 26th Nov, 37 youth took saffron diksha from HH Mahant Swami Maharaj on the occasion of Brahmaswarup Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s birthday. On this occasion, a blood donation camp was organized, wherein total 361 units of blood were collected.
