The 84th birth celebrations of His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj were joyously celebrated in his presence on Saturday 23 September 2017 at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, London.
Swamis sang devotional songs honouring His Holiness in the morning. The Haveli hall was also decorated with birthday cards made by children and a rangoli (traditional Indian decorative pattern) of more than 8,000 small cakes prepared by devotees. A special magazine introducing the life and work of Mahant Swami Maharaj was published in honour of his visit to the UK. This was presented to Bhagwan Swaminarayan and formally released during the morning festivities.
The evening programme explored Swamishri’s serenity, divine grace, humble nature and attachment to God – virtues which won the hearts of his gurus Yogiji Maharaj and Pramukh Swami Maharaj.
The assembly began with devotional songs. Visiting swamis then shared a montage of touching incidents from Mahant Swami Maharaj’s life which encompassed his saintliness and devotion, and explained the powerful impact of his gentle and compassionate words. Their messages were further supported by testimonies from Yogiji Maharaj and Pramukh Swami Maharaj, shared through historical video footage.
Other enlightening presentations provided a deeper understanding of Swamishri and his spiritual connection with Pramukh Swami Maharaj.
Sadguru Pujya Ishwarcharandas Swami offered a prayer to Mahant Swami Maharaj on behalf of all swamis and devotees. Swamis then honoured Swamishri with a decorative garland to formally welcome him to London.
A troupe of 112 children and youths from around the UK performed a vibrant celebratory dance as part of the festivities, further infusing the assembly hall with devotional fervour.
In his blessings, Mahant Swami Maharaj expressed his joy at seeing the congregation and encouraged everyone to see the greatness within others. He also expressed his sincere wish to bless the lives of one and all.
The event also saw the release of ‘An Introduction to Swaminarayan Hindu Theology’ printed by Cambridge University Press. The 350-page book - written in English - provides a comprehensive doctrinal account of the Swaminarayan tradition’s belief system. Authored by Paramtattvadas Swami, a sadhu ordained by His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the publication draws on a rich corpus of theological literature, including the teachings of Bhagwan Swaminarayan himself and classical commentaries on the Upanishads, Shrimad Bhagavad Gita and Brahmasutras.
The book was officially released in the presence of His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj in Robbinsville, USA, on 6 September 2017, and again in London, UK, on 25 September 2017. Esteemed members of the American and British academy were present, as was Michael Duncan, Senior Global Marketing Manager for CUP, from New York.
