Search Contact Site Map Download News Vicharan Home USA & Canada UK & Europe India Far East Africa Past News News


17 February 2002, Sunday, Fall River, MA:

On the occasion of Vasant Panchami and Shastrji Maharaj Janma Jayanti at the Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Fall River, the Consul General of India to Canada, Shree Chandramohan Bhandari, celebrated the festival with the satsangis.

The program consisted of beautiful kirtans sung by the Kishore Sangeet Mandal. The theme of the event was Vasant Panchami - The changing of the seasons and rebirth of vitality in our lives. The Bal Mandal narrated several prasangs of Shastriji Maharaj's life ranging from his matchless intellect to his devotion. The Kishore Mandal gave a speech on how Shastrji Maharaj and the Shikshapatri were able to influence the lives of revolutionaries such as Sardar Vallabh Patel and Ghandiji. This speech led into how the influence of Pramukh Swami was vital to the recovery of last year's earthquake. A one-year video update was shown as a reminder of the past event and the progress made by BAPS Care International.

The samaiyo ended with Chandramohan Bhandari giving a discourse on the importance of spirituality in our lives with a brief demonstration of the powers of yoga. The audience was introduced to a common breathing exercise used to stimulate vitality in our daily lives. Mr. Bhandari and all those present were quite impressed with the meaningful and entertaining program.

 


Pujya Yagnavallabh Swami welcoming Mr.Chivakula

Mr.Chivakula addressing the assembly



17 February 2002, Sunday, Edison, NJ:

On this day of Vasant Panchmi, Lord Swaminarayan's nand paramhansas, Sadguru Brahamanand Swami and Sadguru Niskulanand Swami, as well as Bochasanwasi Shri AksharPurushottam Sanstha's founder Brahmaswarup Shastriji Maharaj, were born. Also, on this sacred day, Shriji Maharaj wrote the Shikshapatri for the welfare of his devotees. In today's sabha, devotional songs were sung in praise of the greatness of Brahmaswarup Shastriji Maharaj. Devotee gave a speech on Shastriji Maharaj as an exponent of the Vedic Upasana. Pujya Yagnavallabh Swami's parayan shed light on Shastriji Maharaj's divine personality and his work. A video presentation on foundation-laying ceremony for Gadhada Mandir performed fifty years ago by Shastriji Maharaj brought sweet and divine memories of the satsang history.

On this occasion, New Jersey State Assemblyman Honorable Upendra Chivakula was welcomed in the sabha. Mr. Chivakula, a vegetarian and the first ever Asian Indian NJ State Assemblyman, pledged to assist the Indian community to the best of his ability.



17 February 2002, Sunday, Charlotte, NC:

People participated in the Vasant Panchmi celebrations at Charlotte Mandir on February 17, 2002. Program highlights included spiritual discourses and devotional songs describing the births and divine lives of Shastriji Maharaj, Nishkulanand Swami, and Brahmanand Swami, together with advent of the Shikshapatri (code of conduct).

A keynote speech was delivered on Shastriji Maharaj depicting his sacrifices and efforts in establishing the Akshar Purushootam Sanstha. The philosopy of Akshar Purushotam is worship of Lord Swaminarayan or Shreeji Maharaj together with his choicest devotee Gunatitanand Swami. Another disccourse was on the importance of Shikshapatri in the human life. A central theme of this speech was the discussion on the 116th verse of this divine scripture, i.e., to identify one's self solely with Gunatit or Lord's choicest devotee and then offer worship to Shreeji Maharaj or Lord Purushottam. The program concluded with a skit 'Antkale Maharaj Ne' presented by Kishore Mandal reiterating the importance of this day's celebrations.

 
Shri Akshar Purushottam Maharaj

Dhun Prathana Kirtan

Skit: Antkale Maharaj Ne


Shri Akshar Purushottam Maharaj

Kirtan Gaan

Vasant Panchami Sabha


17 February 2002, Sunday, Washington DC:

Washington Mandir celebrated Vasant Panchmi Samaiyo on Saturday, February 17, in the presence of Pujya Yagnavallabh Swami & Pujya Haridarshan Swami. Devotees attended the celebration. Program highlights included devotional kirtan-bhakti by Bal-Kishores, Yuvaks, and P. Haridarshan Swami, and Spiritual discourses by Saints. Pujya Yagnavallabh Swami elaborated on Shastriji Maharaj's "Sadhuta & Asmita" and reminded all devotees of his enormous struggle for "Akshar-Purshottam Upasana". In addition, recital on the "Satpurush-no-Bhog and Para-Bhakti", presented by Pujya Haridarshan swami, captivated the audience. He shared Swami Shree's numerous divine prasangs experienced during 81st Pramukh Jayanti celebration and Shree Swaminarayan Mahamntra Bicentenary celebration in Gadhada. The event was concluded with Arti and Mahaprasad.



17 February 2002, Sunday, Atlanta, GA:

Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Atlanta celebrated Vasant Panchami, Shastriji Maharaj Jayanti and Shikshapatri pragatya din Samaiyo on Sunday, February 17, 2002.

In the morning 9:00AM to 12:00PM, BAPS Atlanta Medical Services Team had arranged a LIPID PANEL PROFILE screening. People participated; Participants were examined for LIPID PANEL such as Thyroid, Cholesterol, Diabetes and Prostate Gland Cancer

Samaiyo started at 3:45M and ended at 6:30PM. People joined this celebration of Vasant Panchamimi and Shiksha Patri's Birth Anniversary. Left side of stage was decorated with 6 x 6 picture of H.D.H Shastriji Maharaj, and on right side a big Shikshapatri was created displaying key shloka 116 on Bhakti. Thakorji's Sinhasan was decorated with different verses from shikshapatri depiciting the highlights.

Celebration of Samaiyo started with Dhoon, Prarthana and Kirtan. P. Shantmurti Swami addressed the assembly and shed light on the importance of the Shikshapatri. The Bal Mandal presented an interesting game quiz detailing the importance of the Shikshapatri and upcoming Satsang Exams. Two teams of Balaks, Agna and Upasana were facing challenge of which the Upasana team came out as a winner in final round. This was very informative and well presented quiz from Bal Mandal. A short video highlighting the divine life of Shastriji Maharaj was presented. The video was followed by a speech from Pujya Amrutnandan Swami about maintaining our culture amongst our kids, and he also explained the importance of Gujarati language and Indian culture. After speech, Samaiyo ended with sankalp Dhoon and Aarti followed by Mahaparasad.

Southeast region is blessed with the idol of Shri Harikrishna Maharaj which was brought by P. Santo from India. This Samaiyo was celebrated in His divine presence.

 
Shri Harikrishna Maharaj

Decoration on stage

Satsang Quiz


Shri Akshar Purushottam Maharaj

Kirtan Gaan

Drama


17 February 2002, Sunday, San Jose, CA:

With the background of lovely decoration depicting the arrival of spring, Vasant Panchami was celebrated with the characteristic joy and happiness of the spring season. All four historical events associated with the day i.e. divine creation of the Shikshapatri, birthday of Shashtriji Maharaj as well as Brahmanand Swami and Nishkulanand swami were very well presented in different forms.

After kirtan with all musical instruments by Balak mandal, a Yuvak, in his speech, narrated the divine character of Shashtriji Maharaj. A member of kishor mandal described Shashtriji Maharaj as an architect; Architect of temples and that of human beings. The theme speech of the program walked through the zeal and aplomb of Shashtriji Maharaj for the Akshar Purushottam Upasana and chronological events that led to the birth of the BAPS sanstha. After speeches, it was time for a change. A Drama based on a prasang between Shriji Maharaj and Brahmanand swami regarding the wearing of 'Taat' was enjoyed by the audience. Nishkulanand swami was remembered by singing of verses from Bhaktachintamani. "Importance of Shikshapatri in achieving true success and peace in our life" was the theme of the last speech. The speech described how the Shikshapatri covers all aspects of the life including daily routine, financial and physical safety, diet, hygiene, social relations, behavior and the ultimate goal of Moksha as well as the whole spectrum of population with different social, economical and spiritual band in just 212 shlokas. 212 Shlokas of the Shikshapatri were compared with the lighthouse for the mankind showing the path to the true success and peace in life.


17 February 2002, Sunday, Cleveland, OH:

People attended the BAPS Cleveland Samaiyo of Vasant Panchmi and JanmaJayanti of Shastriji Maharaj, Nishkulanand Swami and Brahmanand Swami and also Shikshapatri Jayanti. There was a talk on Shikshapatri written by Lord Swaminarayan Himself which provides rules for everyone to follow in daily life to attain happiness. There were several dramas by the Kishore and Yuvak Mandal based on Madhavtirth of Shankracharya "Math", Bhagudada and Lakshman, and also Nirgunswami and Dolatrambhai. There was an extensive talk on our Upasana as exemplified by Shastriji Maharaj. Interspersed between these were several kirtans pertaining to the celebration.

There was also a very informative medical talk on "Heart Disease and Diabetes" by an invited physician Adi E. Mehta, M.D., who is an eminent endocrinologist at the world-renowned Cleveland Clinic Foundation and who also provides medical education lectures to physicians. A video of Pramukh Swami Maharaj providing Ashirvachan was also shown. Mahaprasad was served after the Aarti. Everyone enjoyed the program which provided spiritual upliftment and also medical information.

 


© 1999, Bochasanwasi Shree Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha, Swaminarayan Aksharpith