As PM Narendra Modi addressed the inaugural function of Swami Maharaj Shatabdi Mahotsav in Ahmedabad (Gujarat), the EBNW Story hereby shares details of the programme while shedding light on the Swami Maharaj.
Pramukh Swami Maharaj was born as Shantilal Patel in Chansad village Gujarat. He was the guru and president of Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), a major branch of Swaminarayan Sampradaya. BAPS regards him as the fifth spiritual successor of Swaminarayan.
PM Modi in his address said that this Swami Mahotsav has been celebrated in the UN also which shows that Swami ji’s thoughts are universal and eternal. Great tradition has been proposed by saints, From Veda to Vivekananda and the message of Vasudev Kutumbakam, Swami ji always encouraged the goodness inside the people. Though he was Saint but his vision was for social welfare not only for self salvation. Swami ji also served people during Machchu Dam disaster at Morbi.
The Mahotsav campus called Swami Nagar has been created and decorated by about 80,000 volunteers, including students, businessmen, architects, professionals, foreigners, farmers, tribals, officers. In Swami Nagar campus, there is Akshardham temple that has been created in a very short time, which is a replication of Akshardham temple situated in Delhi. On the importance of Akshardham temple, Modi said that Akshardham temple is a medium to introduce the great tradition of India. He also gives the example of spirituality with modernity.
This festival (Shatabdi mahotsav) shows the cultural and historical glimpse of India. In campus creators show the statues of brave revolutionaries, Indian currency and represents the 75 years of independence.
The festival lays the Idea of unity, bringing people together From different religions, cultural backgrounds , and different social classes.
The centenary festival will be organised from 15 December to 15 January. This event will be held in Swami Nagar built in Ahmedabad. Preparations are going on for the last one year for this event. The festival is being organized in the memory of Swami Maharaj, a prominent saint in the Bhagwan Swaminarayan sect. 80,000 volunteers will take care of the arrangements for this grand event. Many youths have left their jobs and reached here for this big event of BAPS (Bochasanvasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha). Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Governor Acharya Devvrat will also be present at the inauguration ceremony.