His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj Captivates Audience at The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir

Devotees and well-wishers gathered to welcome His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Green Fields, SA on Wednesday 07 March, 2018.

With deep joy and excitement, devotees officially welcomed His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj on his first trip to Australia as Guru and President of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, continuing the life work and mission of his guru Pramukh Swami Maharaj following his earthly departure. His Holiness was also welcomed by an aboriginal dance performed by the local dance

troupe…

Following his arrival, a welcome assembly was held by BAPS community members. The welcome assembly marked a special occasion for devotees who had worked together for several months planning for Mahant Swami Maharaj’s arrival.

In preparation for his arrival, devotees prepared traditional Hindu gifts of honour such as garlands and shawls. Children and youth practiced their talents for the many scheduled programs during his visit and cultivated their knowledge of spiritual texts and devotional songs to memory as an expression of their heartfelt gratitude.

Various other events throughout His Holiness’ visit included special programs for children and youth (Bal-Balika Din, Kishore-Kishori Din, Yuvak-Yuvati Din), a women’s cultural program (Mahila Din), an evening Kirtan Bhakti (devotional song) and ‘Sanskrutik Ek Khoj’ – In Search of Indian

Culture, a cultural program based on the essence of Indian culture and traditions…

His Holiness inaugurated the Charnarvind (footprints) of Bhagwan Shri Swaminarayan in a water feature in the Mandir premises to the public.

The celebrations concluded with blessings from Mahant Swami Maharaj who encouraged all to uphold unity, maintain faith and further develop one’s spirituality in strengthening the mandir as a community place of worship.

Mahant Swami Maharaj emphasizes the importance of unity amongst families, organisations and communities. His life communicates the core values of BAPS rooted in mutual understanding, tolerance, respect, and consideration for individuals. He aims to inspire devotees to live a healthy, balanced life, filled with spirituality, morals, family values and respect for others.

Six days in the presence of His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj left devotees of all ages with countless experiences and memories that will foster their spiritual growth for years to come.

ABOUT HIS HOLINESS MAHANT SWAMI MAHARAJ

His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj is the sixth spiritual successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and the present leader of BAPS.

As a child, he was blessed by Brahmaswarup Shastriji Maharaj, the founder of BAPS. Attracted by the spiritual charisma and selfless love of Brahmaswarup Yogiji Maharaj, he accepted monastic initiation in 1961 and was named Keshavjivandas Swami. Having served Yogiji Maharaj with all his heart, he was appointed as the head (‘mahant’) of the BAPS mandir in Mumbai. Over time, he became fondly known as Mahant Swami.

After Yogiji Maharaj’s passing in 1971, Mahant Swami Maharaj continued to serve devoutly under the guru ship of Pramukh Swami Maharaj, travelling relentlessly throughout the world to inspire countless individuals through his profound and thought-provoking spiritual discourses. He has also offered his deep insight and guidance during BAPS’s mega-festivals, in children’s and youth activities, and many other BAPS mandirs and endeavours. His steadfast virtues of austerity, self-control, devotion, humility and service earned him the

blessings of both Yogiji Maharaj and Pramukh Swami Maharaj. Mahant Swami Maharaj now presides as the guru and spiritual guide to countless devotees and helms the worldwide spiritual and humanitarian activities of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha.

ABOUT BAPS

Established in 1907, the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) is a global non-governmental Hindu socio-spiritual organization in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. BAPS has representative centres (Mandirs) in some of the major Australian cities, including Sydney, Perth, Melbourne, Adelaide and Brisbane.

BAPS is dedicated to the collective spiritual and social progress of society by promoting harmony between individuals, within families and amongst diverse communities.

In Adelaide, the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Green Fields, which was inaugurated in 2015 promotes harmony, inspires values of co-existence and selfless service to the community, nurtures spirituality, Hindu culture and heritage, and encourages integration and social cohesion.