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18 March,
Sarangpur
The Pushpadolotsav
festival of colors, is a much awaited annual celebration. Devotees from
all over India and abroad flock to the tiny village of Sarangpur to
experience the divine event.
This year, on 18 March 2003, Sarangpur once again came alive with a
teeming multitude of devotees. They arrived in a wide array of vehicles
and means. Some arrived the day before to celebrate the birth anniversary
of Bhagatji Maharaj. Many began their journey at midnight and arrived
in Sarangpur before dawn.
At 7.15 a.m. the festival commenced with Swamishri's morning puja. The
sadhus sang bhajans related to the Holi festival and Pushpadolotsav
and charged the congregation with devotion and festivity. The stage
backdrop of clouds painted in festive colors and with murtis of Bhagwan
Swaminarayan, Gunatitanand Swami and pramhansas engrossed in spraying
colors evoked a joyous ambience to the event.
After Swamishri's puja, Pujya Atmaswarup Swami narrated how Swamishri
has morally and spiritually elevated the lives of youths and devotees.
Pujya Viveksagar Swami explained the significance of Holi and Pushpadolotsav.
Pujya Doctor Swami struck an introspective note for all to ponder upon
regarding the consolidation of one's faith and allegiance to Satsang.
Pujya Ishwarcharan Swami then announced the 50th Golden Jubilee Celebration
Year of BAPS Bal Mandal. He spoke about how Shastriji Maharaj, Nirgundas
Swami, Yogiji Maharaj and Swamishri have nourished children with satsang
values. Then Pujya Mahant Swami talked about purifying one's devotion
to God.
The official launching of the Golden Jubilee Celebration Year of BAPS
Bal Mandal saw a colorful and festive presentation of speech, dance
and singing by balaks.
Swamishri then blessed the assembly of over 35,000 devotees, "
In the time of Shriji Maharaj the women devotees, during a Fuldol Festival,
asked that they be protected from maya. They did not desire for worldly
comforts but prayed that they offer devotion to Maharaj. By listening
to spiritual discourses one eventually realizes that worldly things
are false and temporary ..."
Then Swamishri offered pujan to Shri Harikrishna Maharaj and sprayed
the colored water on Thakorji. This sanctified colored water was then
sprayed on the devotees. For 1½ hrs Swamishri joyously sprayed
colored water on the devotees, volunteers and sadhus.
The sheer
joy of getting drenched at the hands of Swamishri was simply elevating.
The devotees, after taking mahaprasad, departed with divine memories
of the gorgeous fuldol festival.
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