The 90th birth anniversary of Pramukh Swami Maharaj was celebrated with great devotion on the evenings of Saturday 11 December, Monday 13 December and Saturday 18 December 2010 at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, London.

A special festival organised by the mahilas to celebrate the 90th birthday of Pramukh Swami Maharaj was held on Saturday 11 December 2010. The event focused on nine aspects from Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s life using a number of inspirational speeches and multimedia presentations. The aspects covered were his creations and achievements, devotion, devotees, power and purity, stability, compassion, efficiency, excellence, and faith in God.

The celebrations concluded with a colourful dance as an offering of devotion.

The actual birth day according to the Hindu calendar (Magshar sud 8) was celebrated on Monday 13 December 2010. Kishores and yuvaks began the evening assembly with dhun and prarthna. Shukmuni Swami narrated inspiring episodes from Swamishri’s life, explaining how he has touched the lives of so many. The celebrations coincided with the visit of Swami Padmanabhanand – disciple of the late Swami Chidananadji of Divine Life Mission – who also addressed the audience.

Balaks performed a dance and later also sung a special birthday song dedicated to Swamishri before Yogvivek Swami concluded the evening by touching on Swamishri’s spirit of service and encouraging everyone to adopt his virtues in their lives.

The celebrations on Saturday 18 December 2010 were largely curtailed due to the exceptionally snowy weather, but were no less devotional. They began early in the morning with a special mahapuja and continued with akhand dhun (continuous chanting) till the evening.

The modest evening assembly focused on Swamishri’s humility and commitment to his gurus. Shukmuni Swami began the programme with the singing of dhun, prarthna and a series of delightful bhajans, after which Paramtattva Swami spoke on Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s gurubhakti to Shastriji Maharaj.

The few devotees who were able to make it to the Mandir also enjoyed a short video montage from the actual day of Swamishri’s 90th birth anniversary in Mumbai. Yogvivek Swami then concluded the evening by elaborating of Swamishri’s outstanding gurubhakti towards Yogiji Maharaj.