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12 April 2003, Sunday, Chicago, IL:
Bartlett - Merely a few years ago, on March 28th, 1999, The Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (B.A.P.S.) Chicago, enthusiastically performed a traditional Khat Murat or ground-breaking ceremony to commence construction of the now vibrantly standing Haveli Complex at Rt. 59 and Army Trail Rd. Celebrated with great joy and anticipation, this ceremony marked the inauguration of new beginnings - a time to look to the pious and prosperous future awaiting us.
Only a year and a half later, thousands of devotees physically began to see that miraculous future open its gates to our lives as the initial and long-awaited phase of the Mandir Complex had finally been completed - the Shri Swaminarayan Haveli had opened its doors to all awaiting its commencement. In honor of this event, B.A.P.S. extolled what it called the Haveli Mahotsav for a period of 10 days, October 20th - 29th, 2000, illustrating and giving indication to the fact that more auspicious times do indeed lie ahead.
In this timely manner, on November 9th, 2002, B.A.P.S. commenced construction of the Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, in the presence of Pujya Mahant Swami, during the high-spirited and zestful occasion of Diwali. The first carved stone of America's upcoming first traditional Hindu Mandir was layed on its construction site. A traditional mahapuja, prayer ceremony, for this event had been carried out. The next step in the long awaited Mandir Complex project was underway. In this way, from one step to the next, devotees witnessed and partook in moment after moment, and year and year, of divine celebrations such as this.
Hence, now, in April of 2003, we enjoyed and celebrated another exciting
and auspicious occasion in the construction of the mandir - a traditional
mahapuja sanctifying the eleven Kumbhis to the five central shrines
of the upcoming mandir. At 3:00 pm, on Saturday, April 12th, a ceremony
was held to consecrate each shrine that had been placed above the foundation
of the mandir. Each of the five shrines repesent the area exactly underneath
where the murtis of God will be placed. Hence, these five areas were
properly purified through a mahapuja before any of the murtis would
be layed in these sections. Incidentally, Friday, April 11th, marked
the grand and auspicious day of Ramnavmi, the 222nd birth anniversary
of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. Thus, simultaneously with the performance of
the mahapuja on Saturday for the mandir, B.A.P.S. also celebrated the
auspicious day of Ram Navmi and Harijayanti on the 12th as well. Thousands
of devotees and well-wishers alike came to partake in the celebrations
as well as pay their respects to Shri Swaminarayan Bhagwan and Ram Bhagwan.
A three-hour cultural program, held from 4 to 7 pm in the Haveli Prayer
Hall, was completely organized, prepared, compered and performed by
the B.A.P.S. youth. Program highlights consisted of numerous dances,
skits, and bhajans extolling the greatness, glory, and the spiritual
accomplishments of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. The theme of this year's program
was "Shikshapatri," a sacred book of ethics, consisting of 212 spiritually
potent verses written in Sanskrit by Bhagwan Swaminarayan Himself on
February 11th, 1826 CE. It consists of the essence of Hindu moral codes
of conduct for everyday life. The very essence of this divine book was
extolled and shared with devotees during Saturday's program. In addition,
an exhibition, detailing the foundation, the essence, the background,
and several verses of the book was prepared and displayed for devotees
to physically walk through, personally experience, and learn from.The
exhibition was prepared, set up and presented by the Girls' Youth wing
(Yuvati Mandal). Saturday's evening program concluded with the spiritual
blessings of H.D.H. Pramukh Swami Maharaj and arti. Thereafter Thakorji
was honored by the women's wing. The monumental devotional fervour of
the female devotees was experienced and felt by hundreds of well-wishers.
Thereafter, a garba was also held for the ladies. Thus, the weekend
celebrations took place on a grand scale in which devotees, guests,
and visitors alike gathered together to share joy and enthusiasm in
being part of such extraordinary beginnings and propitious events. Bhagwan
Swaminarayan's birthday could not have been celebrated with more grandeur
and joy than with the hand in hand ceremony of the Shri Swaminarayan
Mandir's central shrines carried out simultaneously.
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