August 5 - 6, 2006
Houston, TX
To
commemorate the second anniversary of the inauguration of
the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Houston, a special 2-day
celebration was held on August 5 and August 6, 2006. Among
the various festivities were a fireworks show on Saturday,
a women's cultural program, as well as the first anniversary
of the pratishtha of the Nilkanth Varni murti on Sunday. The
theme of this weekend focused on the mandir and the inspiring
change it has brought to people's lives.
The
weekend events began with a women's cultural program that
included traditional dances and thought provoking dramas.
The participants coming together from various parts of Texas
worked for over three months in preparing for the day's festivities.
A
spiritual assembly celebrating the mandir was held in the
evening. Children of all ages participated through traditional
dances, festive bhajans and inspiring speeches. Devotees shared
the life changing effect the mandir has had on them. Some
talked about how the mandir has helped them become a better
individual while others reminisced over the sacrifices made
in the making of the mandir. The celebration climaxed Saturday
night with a 30-minute fireworks show. On Sunday morning,
a traditional vedic prayer was held at the mandir celebrating
the second anniversary.
Pujya
Bhaktipriya Swami (Pujya Kothari Swami) presided over the
weekend festivities. The ground breaking ceremony of the Sant
Nivas also took place in his presence. In accordance with
the views of Pramukh Swami Maharaj, he spoke about the idols
- the heart of the mandir. He reaffirmed that without them,
a mandir would not be complete. He conveyed to everybody that
the mandir has been built with the spirit of unity, fraternity
and brotherhood, and all should continue to always worship
God. The festivities provided the seamless blend of reminiscence
and hope for the future.
Photo
gallery
