In
1907 Brahmaswarup Shastriji Maharaj built the first BAPS Mandir
in Bochasan. To commemorate the completion of 100 years, a grand
patotsav celebration was held in the presence of Pramukh Swami
Maharaj.
As stated
in the Hindu Shastras, on completion of 100 years, the murtis
of the mandir should be offered a special abhishek of 1001 kalashes
using the extracts of special items. This ceremony is known as
Sahastrakalash Abhishek.
So, on Thursday 26
April 2007 a grand Vedic yagna was held in the presence of Pramukh
Swami Maharaj, in which over 1,500 devotees participated.
The patotsav was
celebrated on Friday 27 April 2007. At 7.30 am, Pramukh Swami
Maharaj performed the patotsav arti. Thereafter, over 1,500 devotees
participated in the Vedic patotsav mahapuja ceremony. At the end
of the mahapuja, Swamishri performed the special abhishek ritual
of all the consecrated murtis: Bhagwan Swaminarayan, Aksharbrahma
Gunatitanand Swami, Shri Harikrishna Maharaj, Shri Ghanshyam Maharaj
and Shri Lakshami-Narayan Dev. The entire ceremony was relayed
by CCTV to over 17,000 devotees seated in the mandir premises
and assembly arena.
After these special
Vedic rituals, Swamishri presided over the patotsav assembly.
The assembly featured speeches by the senior sadhus and traditional
dances by children and youths. Swamishri again performed the abhishek
of Shri Harikrishna Maharaj on stage and then blessed the assembly,
describing the glory of these Vedic rituals as well as the murtis
of God. He also talked about the devotion and saintliness of the
Guru Parampara as the reason for the growth of the BAPS over the
past 100 years |