The sacred image of Bhagwan Swaminarayan

The beautiful image of Bhagwan Swaminarayan

On Tuesday 27 March 2007, worshippers at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Neasden, London celebrated the sacred festivals of Shri Swaminarayan Jayanti and Ramnavmi. To mark this auspicious occasion, annakuts were offered to the deities.

At 12 noon, the sadhus performed the birth arti of Shri Ramchandraji. All the devotees had the opportunity to rock the cradle of Shri Ramchandraji.

Throughout the day, devotees were also given the opportunity of offering abhishek to the sacred image of Nilkanth Varni (Bhagwan Swaminarayan).

In the evening, bhajans and speeches extolling the virtues and greatness of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and Shri Ramchandraji were presented. The grand assembly culminated in the celebrations of the birth of Bhagwan Swaminarayan at 10:10pm.

On Saturday 31 March 2007, further celebrations of Shri Swaminarayan Jayanti took place with a colourful programme in the evening. The event was organised and performed by kishores through dramas, sketches, mono-acts, bhajans and dances. Kishores, dressed up as paramhansas and devotees of that time, vividly portrayed how Bhagwan Swaminarayan inspired people to lead morally upright lives. The kishores also depicted how society in the early 19th century was transformed through His teachings.