The festival of Guru Purnima, a day to celebrate and honour the guru, was held at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir on Saturday 16 July 2011. A blend of different presentations including bhajans, a san-kirtan, personal experiences and enlightening speeches provided an entertaining programme.

Kishores and yuvaks began the evening with dhun and the bhajan, ‘Guru Guru Kahat Sansar’ which highlights the role of a guru during one’s lifetime. Thereafter a video of the Guru Punam festival in the presence of Swamishri in Mumbai was shared followed by a san-kirtan performed by a yuvak, Arpit Naik, who depicted the need of a true guru.

Personal experiences of how the guru has helped them in their life were given by two devotees, Suchit Amin and Nitin Palan who both extolled the greatness and virtues of Swamishri through their individual memories.

A trophy presentation ceremony was also held to felicitate the highest collectors for this year’s BAPS Annual Challenge that was held earlier this year. Subsequently, Yogvivek Swami summarised by discussing the concept of a true guru and furthermore explaining how to please the guru and gain his grace.