21 April 2002 (V.S.2058, chaitra sud 9) Sunday, Sarangpur. Shri Hari Jayanti

• Swamishri blessed 30 kishores who had pilgrimaged by foot from Botad to Sarangpur and 15 children who had walked 15 km from the village of Vavdi.
• In the evening, Swamishri arrived at the grounds of Yagnapurush Smruti Mandir to celebrate the 221st birthday celebration of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. The beautiful stage backdrop, created by sadhus, vividly illustrated the verse from Muktanand Swami's bhajan, "Preme pragtya re suraj Sahajanand, adharma andharu taliyu ..." The giant cut-out of the sun with the divine face of Bhagwan Swaminarayan formed the center of the stage backdrop. The left side was depicted with darkness and evil, namely, demons, bawas who were depraved and slaves to addictions, uncivil customs like widow burning, etc. and a wilted tree symbilizing the influence of evil in society. On the right side, with the arrival of Sahajanand Swami - the dawning sun - the darkness of evil vanished and the luster of goodness was revived. This was symbolized through cut-outs of heaven-kissing mandirs built by Bhagwan Swaminarayan, the essence of the Hindu shastras that He distilled and gave in the form of the Vachanamrut, Shikshapatri, and 500 paramahansas (cut-outs of sadhus) and a flourshing tree.
  The celebration assembly commenced with dhun and prayer, followed by a speech by Pujya Ghanshyamcharan Swami. A beautiful folk dance was performed by children on the bhajan "Ghanshyam, Ghanshyam mari sathe ramva avsho ke nahi ..." Then Pujya Viveksagar Swami brilliantly narrated the life, work and glory of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. This was followed by a colorful folk dance presentation by kishores on the bhajan "Chaitra sud navmi avi ..."
  In his blessings, Swamishri said, "Today is a day of great rejoicement and joy for the people of India because it is the birthday of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and Bhagwan Shri Ram. Bhagwan Swaminarayan came from Akshardham with a resolve to redeem people.
  "Just as there is a necessity of schools and colleges in society, there is also the need for sadhus, mandirs and scriptures.What will happen if you have wonderful colleges but no professors! Just as we need professors we also need sadhus to teach and show us the path of righteousness. Bhagwan Swaminarayan came on earth to purify us from our unrighteous thoughts and evil tendencies and He brought Gunatitanand Swami with Him ...
  "Bhagwan Swaminarayan never advocated proselitization but endeavored in transforming the base natures in people ... One must be proud of one's faith and strive for the progress of one's country. If there is harmony, brotherhood and unity in the country, then there will be peace. And God and his holy sadhus are the way to peace ...
  "We pray for peace in Gujarat. May the evil tendencies vanish in people's hearts and goodness prevail in their actions ..."
  Thereafter, Swamishri ceremoniously bathed Shri Harikrishna Maharaj with panchamrut and water and performed pujan amidst the chanting of Vedic mantras by sadhus.
  At 10.10 p.m., Swamishri performed the arti of Thakorji and then rocked Thakorji in a beautiful hindolo. The spirit of celebration peaked during the singing of festive bhajans, 'Dharma gher anand bhayo ...' and 'Sonana bor jhule Dharmakishor ...' and dancing by children, youths and sadhus. Swamishri gestured and responded happily while the sadhus sang the bhajans.
  Swamishri was very happy and expressed his satisfaction at the entire celebration.