Golden Anniversary Celebrations of BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir

Under the auspices of the Golden Anniversary Celebrations of BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir, Shahibaug, Ahmedabad, a maha-annakut was held in its premises for the first time on New Year’s Day, October 27, 2011.

More than 2,551 food items were offered to Shri Akshar-Purushottam Maharaj and Guru Parampara.  The 90 ft. wide and 26 ft. high annakut was a grand collective effort of devotion by 2,500 female and male volunteers, out of which 800 were teenagers.

The annakut took over a month of planning, preparation and realization. The mega-feast comprised of hundreds of sweets, fried items, cooked vegetables, milk-based sweets, farali items, cooked pulses and grains, pickles, salads, cakes, fruit juices, bakery items, mukhvaas and more. Devotees prepared many of these vegetarian dishes for the Maha-Annakut at home, while chanting the Swaminarayan mantra. 

Prior to the Maha-Annakut darshan from 10:00am to 7:00pm, a mahapuja was held for the new year in the presence of Pujya Dr. Swami, Pujya Ishwarcharan Swami, Pujya Kothari Swami and devotees.  Thereafter thal was sung for the Maha-Annakut, offered in the mandir assembly hall (Yagnapurush Sabhagruh) and the first arti was performed by senior sadhus and guests.  This was followed by annakut arti in the mandir inner sanctums.  Thereafter, every hour, arti of Maha-Annakut was performed by devotees and guests.

During the day, more than 75,000 devotees, dignitaries and well-wishers came for annakut darshan.