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September 2004 (V.S. 2060, Shravan vad 5) Friday, London
Suvarna
Samagam
As an appreciation for the dedicated efforts of the Bal Mandal
co-ordinators throughout the numerous Suvarna Jayanti programmes,
a special programme titled 'Suvarna Samagam' was held.
Senior sadhus addressed the assembly on the importance of Bal
Mandal activities. The audience was inspired through captivating
presentations and an animatronic murti of Yogiji Maharaj.
Addressing the bal co-ordinators, Swamishri emphasised the need
to live a pure and morally correct life.
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September 2004 (V.S. 2060, Shravan vad 6) Saturday, London
Suvarna
Arpan Satsang Sabha
The Golden Jubilee Celebrations of the Children's Forum in the
presence of Pramukh Swami Maharaj was celebrated by the UK Bal
Mandal in glorious and traditional fashion.
For the last year and a half, planning, preparation and training
had commenced with great enthusiasm nationwide. Boys and girls
aged between 6 to 14 were nurtured in speech making, story telling,
parayan, nirupan, singing and playing musical instruments.
Additionally, the girls were taught the skills of traditional
Indian cooking.
The project ended in a grand and spectacular assembly in the
presence of Swamishri. Some 80 balaks participated in presenting
their newly learnt skills and talents.
In his blessings, Swamishri assured the audience that Shriji
Maharaj and Yogiji Maharaj were very happy with the efforts
and skills displayed by the balaks and blessed the children
with strength to continue their all-round development.
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September 2004 (V.S. 2060, Shravan vad 6) Saturday, London
Suvarna
Prarthana
A specially trained group of 25 balaks
conducted a mahapuja in the London Mandir, as part of the Nilkanth
Varni murti-pratishtha celebrations.
Participants of the mahapuja also prayed for world peace.
Inspired by Swamishri, the prayers conducted in accordance with
Vedic Hindu rituals by children as young as six years old, spread
a message of peace and reconciliation to all members of society.
The children learnt the mahapuja as part of the Bal Pravrutti
Suvarna Jayanti through a series of ten training sessions.
Swamishri came to the haveli hall and performed the mahapuja,
looking at all the children in turn as they proficiently recited
the Sanskrit shloks. He was very pleased to see young children
conducting the entire mahapuja and was also happy with the quality
of their singing.
Some 2000 devotees participated in the prayers in the haveli
hall and were expertly guided through the various rituals by
the children. A special memento was given to all participants.
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September 2004 (V.S. 2060, Shravan vad 7) Sunday, London
UK
Satsang Suvarna Jayanti
Sunday 5 September 2004 saw the celebrations of the 50th Anniversary
of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha in the UK. A spectacular show was
put on by kishores and yuvaks in the presence of Swamishri.
The kishores and yuvaks had spent some nine months researching
the history of how satsang was established in the UK.
The show contained spectacular laser, musical fountains and
lighting effects, combined with specially choreographed colourful
dances, dramas and sketches that traced the history of BAPS
UK not just back to Yogiji Maharaj but back to the time of Bhagwan
Swaminarayan and how He had looked to the West when he climbed
a pipal tree when young. The stunning event was enjoyed by all
and Swamishri in his blessings spoke of the efforts of the devotees
in not only constructing a beautiful Mandir but also in imbibing
satsang in their lives.
Kishores had also prepared a stunning limited edition photographic
memories book - Sahaj Anand - of 340 pages documenting the history
of BAPS UK. The book was available with a DVD of rare footage
of Yogiji Maharaj from 1970 and Pramukh Swami Maharaj over the
past 34 years.
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September 2004 (V.S. 2060, Shravan vad 8) Monday, London
Nilkanth
Varni Pratishtha
For the first time in Europe, Swamishri installed the murti
of Bhagwan Shri Nilkanth Varni at Shri Swaminarayan Mandir,
Neasden. Doctor Swami performed the initial rituals after which
Swamishri completed the murti-pratishtha just after 10.15 am.
Swamishri then performed the very first abhishek (ritual bathing)
of the murti. In his blessings Swamishri praised the devotees
for their devotion and love. He also prayed for the fulfilment
of the wishes of those who come to perform abhishek of Nilkanth
Varni.
As a mark of devotion and gratitude to Nilkanth Varni's sacrifice
and compassion for humanity, devotees will daily offer abhishek
to the murti of Nilkanth Varni by bathing the sacred image with
sanctified water from holy rivers the world over.
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September 2004 (V.S. 2060, Shravan vad 8) Tuesday, London
Janmasthami
and London Mandir Patotsav
Today, the ninth patotsav - the ninth anniversary of the mandir
inauguration - was celebrated in the presence of Swamishri.
In the early morning, the deities were ritually bathed and a
beautiful annakut was offered, after which Swamishri performed
the arti. Throughout the day, hundreds of visitors from all
over the UK came to the mandir for darshan of the deities.
In the evening a special assembly was held and Swamishri mentioned
that the work of God continues in this world against all adverse
forces. Swamishri then performed the arti and with full devotion
sat down to rock the murti of Shri Harikrishna Maharaj in a
golden hindolo. In conclusion, as a sweet farewell and thanks
to Swamishri for giving so much bliss to all, senior sadhus
and devotees presented Swamishri with a variety of garlands
and shawls lovingly prepared by the Mahila Mandal.
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September 2004 (V.S. 2060, Shravan vad 9) Wednesday, London
Pramukh
Swami Maharaj departs from London
After 21 memorable days in London, Swamishri left for Johannesburg.
Countless devotees crowded the mandir complex for Swamishri's
darshan, Swamishri briefly addressed the devotees in the haveli.
After arriving at London's Heathrow Airport, he boarded flight
SA235 destined for Johannesburg, South Africa.
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- 9
September 2004 (V.S. 2060, Shravan vad 10) Thursday, Lenasia,
South Africa
Swamishri arrived from London and was given a grand welcome
in the evening assembly.
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- 10
September 2004 (V.S. 2060, Shravan vad 11) Friday, Lenasia
Vishwashanti
Mahayagna and Nagar Yatra
Swamishri performed the yagna rituals and consecrated the murtis
for the new traditional style mandir. About 350 people participated
in the yagna as part of the murti-pratishtha ceremony.
In the afternoon a grand procession paraded through the streets
of Lenasia, from 3:00 pm to 6:30 pm, displaying ornately decorated
floats carrying the murtis to be consecrated in the mandir.
The murtis of Shri Akshar Purushottam Maharaj, Shri Radha-Krishna
Dev, Shri Sita-Ram with Hanumanji, Shri Shiv-Parvati with Ganapatiji,
and the Guru Parampara were displayed on the floats. BAPS sadhus
sang kirtans as devotees in traditional dress danced with joy
and devotion. The parade route passed by all the main mandirs
in Lenasia.
Thousands of people, representing Hindu organisations from around
the country participated in this parade with traditional dances
and singing.
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- 11
September 2004 (V.S. 2060, Shravan vad 12) Saturday, Lenasia
Murti-Pratishtha
Murti-Pratishtha
Assembly
Swamishri performed the murti-pratishtha of the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan
Mandir, the first traditional style Hindu mandir in Lenasia,
Johannesburg. Swamishri arrived after his morning puja and officially
opened the mandir. He then made his way into the inner sanctum
to perform the murti-prathistha ceremony in accordance with
Vedic rituals. Swamishri invoked the presence of God into the
murtis of Bhagwan Swaminarayan, Aksharbrahma Gunatitanand Swami,
Shri Radha-Krishna Dev, the Guru Parampara, Shri Sita-Ram and
Hanumanji and Shri Shiv-Parvati and Ganapatiji. He then performed
the arti and after darshan he blessed the participants.
After the ceremony Swamishri presided over the murti-pratishtha
assembly. Members of the community who have made great contributions
to social service and advancement of South African society were
honoured.
The Guest of Honour was Mr. Pravin Gordon, Commissioner of South
African Revenue Services. In his speech he appealed to the Indian
community to unite in building a better South Africa for all
and that the Mandir be the centre for uniting people and uplifting
society.
Other guests, namely, Laloo “Isu” Chiba, Reggie
Vandeyar, Mickey Padiachee, Ismail Vadi, Prema Naidoo and Ebrahim
Ismail Ebrahim were honoured for their contributions to social
upliftment of society, each in their unique ways.
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