The birth celebrations of Brahmaswarup Shastriji Maharaj were celebrated through a series of dramas, speeches and video presentations remembering the life and works of Shastriji Maharaj at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, London on Saturday 31 January 2009.

The programme opened with a short sketch enacting the childhood of the then Dungar Bhakta, building mandirs from mud, illustrating what was to follow in the future. This was the very focus of a discussion that followed between four architects on the structural features of Sarangpur Mandir. A video presentation comparing the multitude of architectural masterpieces of the world to the mandirs that were constructed with the divine vision of Shastriji Maharaj amidst impossible and adverse circumstances, provided a further insight into his personality.

Yagnatilak Swami delivered a touching speech on the lives that were transformed by Shastriji Maharaj, which was complemented with a video presentation depicting images of the sadhus and devotees from his time. Opinions of Shastriji Maharaj were underlined with another sketch before Pramukh Swami Maharaj offered his personal memories and thoughts through video.

Yogvivek Swami then addressed the assembly and explained how Shastriji Maharaj experienced numerous hardships in propagating the truth of the Akshar-Purushottam Upasana. The climax to the festival was provided by Swamishri’s blessings that he had given earlier on the same day in Atladra.

Following the celebrations, the official launch of this year’s Sponsored Walk and Fun-Run, to raise money for The Anthony Nolan Trust was conducted in the presence of Guy Parkes, Head of Corporate Relationships from the charity.

For further details, please visit http://www.bapswalk.org

The Mahila celebrations for Vasant Panchami were held at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, London on Saturday 24 January with a grand programme of bhajans, speeches, dances and video presentations where ladies of all ages joined together to participate.