BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir at Neasden has observed the birth celebrations of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and Bhagwan Rama over the weekend of 24 and 25 March 2018.
An evening cultural programme of dances, devotional singing and short sketches involving children, youths and elders was held at the Mandir on Saturday 24 March to mark this joyous occasion. Their performances charted the life and works of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and Bhagwan Rama, revealing the spiritual upliftment and social reforms that they inspired during their time on earth.
Swamis discoursed on these messages further, sharing examples of Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s divine power and His profound impact upon countless lives.
Chaitra sud 9 is the Hindu calendrical day on which Bhagwan Swaminarayan and Bhagwan Rama manifested on earth. This year the day fell on Sunday 25 March and was marked with a host of devotional festivities at the Mandir, including a ceremonial offering of food (the ‘annakut’), singing, chanting, and an evening assembly.
A special musical programme was held in the evening where children, youths, senior devotees and swamis sang a series of devotional songs extolling the greatness and glory of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and Bhagwan Rama. Their devotional hymns were accompanied by the melodious sounds of various musical instruments and interspersed with short commentaries.
In his keynote address, Yogvivek Swami, Head Swami of the Mandir, drew upon the exemplary lives of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and Bhagwan Rama and encouraged everyone to incorporate their teachings into daily spiritual living.
The evening assembly 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. The birth of Bhagwan Rama was marked with an arti earlier in the day at noon.
