The lunar date of Chaitra Shukla 9 holds special significance for millions of Hindus around the world. It is the calendrical day on which Bhagwan Swaminarayan manifested on earth in 1781. The date is also known as Rama Navmi because Shri Rama also manifested on this day, thousands of years ago.
This year, this auspicious day fell on 30 March 2023 and was marked with various ceremonies and festivities at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, London.
Devotees and well-wishers visited the Mandir throughout the day where they enjoyed a programme of devotional singing and discourses from swamis during the morning, which provided an insight into his exemplary life of devotion and spiritual faith. The ceremonial offering of food (annakut) and arti, marking the divine birth of Bhagwan Rama, was held at noon.
In the evening, youths and swamis further celebrated the life and works of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and Bhagwan Ramachandra, which included a series of devotional songs and discourses that delved deeper into their impactful lives and the spiritual legacy that they bequeathed.
The evening celebrations culminated with a special arti at 10.10pm, signifying the precise time Bhagwan Swaminarayan chose to be born to mother Bhaktimata in the small north Indian village of Chhapaiya.
