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Hall
of Festivals
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Kadai: Bhagwan Swaminarayan mixed so freely and fully with the common people that He took every opportunity to serve and inspire them. He often arranged special festivals which brought the devotees together and deepened their faith in religion. In this Shakotsav - Festival of Vegetables at Loya, He Himself cooked 1,200 kg of spicy brinjals in a great many vessels. On display is one original Kadai - vessel in which the Lord cooked for the devotees. |
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Pichkari: Bhagwan Swaminarayan promoted celebration of festivals and personally participated to add a divine touch to its holy joy and splendor. He denounced blind faith in false rituals and inspired devotion and purity. Recreated here is the scene of the Rangotsav - Festival of Colors celebrated in the village of Panchala where the Lord played with sadhus and devotees. The original spray syringe used by Bhagwan Swaminarayan is on display. |
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Bag: Since 1811 CE, the devotees of Surat had been inviting Bhagwan Swaminarayan to bless the city by visiting it. Fourteen years later in 1825 the Lord arrived and was personally received by the Parsi devotee Ardeshar Kotwal who was the chief police officer. After a grand reception in the form of a procession with dance and music, Ardeshar Kotwal gave two Bags and a perfume vessel to the Lord. One of the Bags and the vessel are on display. The Kadai,the Pichkari and the Bag have been displayed in connection with special festive events. Other holy objects have been glass-framed on a wall frescoed with worshipful images, mythical designs and historical events of that time. The patterns have been painted with natural dyes on sagol plaster: |
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Hindola khath: Hindola Khat is a bed and a swing combined together. The brass chains and wooden legs have been given by Shri Dhirubhai Khachar the direct descendant of Amra Khachar of Kundal. The rest of the swing has been re-created to bring out the visual experience of the traditional Hindola Khat! |
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Batak: Batak is a water vessel carried while traveling. The brass water vessel as well as the small glass-like containers, used for milk and water have been sanctified by Bhagwan Swaminarayan. |
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Dabro: While traveling, Mayaram Bhatt would cook simple eatables and carry them in this Dabro, a container for food. During a short rest in between villages he would lovingly offer food to the Lord from this metal container. |
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Thali: Thali is a plate for food. The brass Thali, displayed in Akshardham, was given by Bhagwan Swaminarayan to Prembai as a gift on her marriage. It had been adorably preserved by her descendants. |
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Vadhi: Once Bhagwan Swaminarayan was at Parvatbhai's house in Agatrai with a very large group of devotees. Parvatbhai arranged a special sweet-meal in which ghee (purified butter) has to be poured in for extra taste. At the time of dinner, the Lord filled the Vadhi with ghee and started serving the devotees. The Lord began pouring ghee non-stop in the plates, one after another. Even between two plates He did not stop the flow of ghee from the vessel. This is that vessel of ghee - the Vadhi. |
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© 1999, Bochasanwasi
Shree Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha, Swaminarayan Aksharpith
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