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Bicentenary Celebration of Bhagwan Swaminarayan


Swamishri, Abid Hussain (Indian Ambassador)(L), Congressman Bill Mc Collum(C) and Sam Convery (Mayor of Edison) inaugurate the Cultural Festival Of India Magnificent Peacock Gate - grand archway to the 40 acre CFI ground The 40 ft high and 140 ft wide Peacock Gate was made of bamboo and cloth
Swamishri, Abid Hussain (Indian Ambassador)(L), Congressman Bill Mc Collum(C) and Sam Convery (Mayor of Edison) inaugurate the Cultural Festival Of India
  
Magnificent Peacock Gate - grand archway to the 40 acre CFI ground
The 40 ft high and 140 ft wide Peacock Gate was made of bamboo and cloth
 
 
Namaskar, the traditional Indian symbol of warmth and welcome The 34 ft high traditional Elephant Archway was made of bamboo and burlap Thousands flocked through the impressive archway
Namaskar,
the traditional Indian symbol of warmth and welcome
  
The 34 ft high traditional Elephant Archway was made of bamboo and burlap
 
Thousands flocked through the impressive archway
 
The imposing Lion Gate  Swan, Archway, 35 ft high and 42 ft wide Thousands were thrilled by the craftsmanship of the gates and exhibits
The imposing Lion Gate   Swan, Archway, 35 ft high and 42 ft wide   Thousands were thrilled by the craftsmanship of the gates and exhibits
 
1.2 million visitors savored the 31-day festival Colorful folkdances entertained the audience The rhythm and color of folkdances presented insights to India's festivities
1.2 million visitors savored the 31-day festival   Colorful folkdances entertained the audience   The rhythm and color of folkdances presented insights to India's festivities
A colorful parade through the CFI grounds capsuled the traditions, festivals and characters of India's glorious heritage A colorful parade through the CFI grounds capsuled the traditions, festivals and characters of India's glorious heritage A colorful parade through the CFI grounds capsuled the traditions, festivals and characters of India's glorious heritage
A colorful parade through the CFI grounds capsuled the traditions, festivals and characters of India's glorious heritage
         
A colorful parade through the CFI grounds capsuled the traditions, festivals and characters of India's glorious heritage Shri Ganeshji - the symbol of auspiciousness - was beautifully molded from papier mache The exquisite landscapes and gardens created by volunteers added beauty to the grounds
A colorful parade through the CFI grounds capsuled the traditions, festivals and characters of India's glorious heritage
  
Shri Ganeshji - the symbol of auspiciousness - was beautifully molded from papier mache
  
The exquisite landscapes and gardens created by volunteers added beauty to the grounds
 
Swamishri descends after inaugurating the Sita Ram mandir A fountain embellishes the foreground of Akshar Purushottam mandir  Radha Krishna mandir, 35 ft high and 20 ft in length
Swamishri descends after inaugurating the Sita Ram mandir   A fountain embellishes the foreground of Akshar Purushottam mandir   Radha Krishna mandir, 35 ft high and 20 ft in length
 
Exquisite Shiv mandir, 50 ft high and 35 ft long, is made of cane  Sun-chariot, one of 23 extraordinary cultural spots An ornate, decorative Bullock cart - a mode of transport adopted by Bhagwan Swaminarayan
Exquisite Shiv mandir, 50 ft high and 35 ft long, is made of cane   Sun-chariot, one of 23 extraordinary cultural spots   An ornate, decorative Bullock cart - a mode of transport adopted by Bhagwan Swaminarayan
 
Bhagwan Swaminarayan on an elephant Bhagwan Swaminaryan travelled on his mare called Manki The moon chariot 
Bhagwan Swaminarayan on an elephant   Bhagwan Swaminaryan travelled on his mare called Manki   The moon chariot 
 
 Saraswati - the goddess of learning, intricately made of burlap Natraj - Bhagwan Shiv - the cosmic dancer A hand crafted 'deep - stambha' made of cane
Saraswati - the goddess of learning, intricately made of burlap   Natraj - Bhagwan Shiv - the cosmic dancer    A hand crafted 'deep - stambha' made of cane
 An artistic 22 ft high Statue of Liberty People queued outside the exhibition pavilion A diorama on vegetarianism
An artistic 22 ft high Statue of Liberty   People queued outside the exhibition pavilion   A diorama on vegetarianism
Exhibition on Beautiful Borderless World vividly depicted borders caused by prejudice ( border of bricks), greed (border of ropes) and family conflict (border of thorns)   Exhibition on Beautiful Borderless World vividly depicted borders caused by prejudice ( border of bricks), greed (border of ropes) and family conflict (border of thorns)   Exhibition on Beautiful Borderless World vividly depicted borders caused by prejudice ( border of bricks), greed (border of ropes) and family conflict (border of thorns)  
Exhibition on Beautiful Borderless World vividly depicted borders caused by prejudice ( border of bricks), greed (border of ropes) and family conflict (border of thorns)  
Exhibition tableau depicting that one should not slander or hurl insults  The tableau depicts the dark side of human nature where one man pours and smears blame on another The tableau depicts the dark side of human nature where one man pours and smears blame on another
 Exhibition tableau depicting that one should not slander or hurl insults    The tableau depicts the dark side of human nature where one man pours and smears blame on another
Eventually this results only in staining one's own character Tableau of an Indian marriage ceremony Tableau of an Indian marriage ceremony
Eventually this results only in staining one's own character   Tableau of an Indian marriage ceremony    Culture of Rajasthan depicted in a section on state pavilions
A typical rural home in Gujarat Tableau depicts King Rantidev's sacrifice after 49 days of fasting Message of Service: Nilkanth Varni selflessly serves Sevakram
A typical rural home in Gujarat   Tableau depicts King Rantidev's sacrifice after 49 days of fasting   Message of Service: Nilkanth Varni selflessly serves Sevakram
A traditional folk dance during a stage program H.H. Chinmayanand Swami addresses the evening assembly Prominent spiritual and social leaders with Swamishri during the Unity Convention 
A traditional folk dance during a stage program   H.H. Chinmayanand Swami addresses the evening assembly   Prominent spiritual and social leaders with Swamishri during the Unity Convention 
© 1999, Bochasanwasi Shree Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha, Swaminarayan Aksharpith