Final commemoration of the 100th anniversary of Pramukh Swami Maharaj

A month long, grand and divine festivity of his holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj centenary celebrations (PSM 100) comes to an end.
The exhibitions and attractions at Pramukh Swami Maharaj Nagar welcomed over 12.1 million visitors who were motivated to live better lives. The Nagar hosted a variety of displays, attractions, seminars, films and shows, each imparting a unique lesson from the inspiring life of Pramukh Swami Maharaj. Whether at the Nagar or via webcast, millions of people watched the evening assemblies held every day over the past month, learned about Pramukh Swami Maharaj's life and work from addresses made by senior swamis and dignitaries from all over the world. Thousands of attendees gained inspiration from Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s life through professional and academic conferences.
Over 5.6 million cc of blood were donated at the celebration's blood drive, which was also organised. Hundreds and thousands of people were impressed and astonished by the ornate main gate, Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s 30-foot sculpted image, the replica of Delhi Akshardham Mandir, the enchanting glow garden, the light and sound show and other displays.
Majestic closing ceremony programme at PSM 100
The grand finale ceremony of Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s Centenary Celebrations, titled, ‘We Will Not Forget You’ was attended by thousands of followers. The assembly began with the chanting of devotional hymns followed by the grand entrance of His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj on a decorated chariot. The first session of the concluding ceremony explained how people will not be able to forget Pramukh Swami Maharaj. Selected devotees shared their personal experiences with Pramukh Swami Maharaj and how they will never be able to forget him for what he has done for them and their family.
Senior BAPS swami Viveksagardas Swami spoked about Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s life and his sacrifices he made for everyone in society. All people received wisdom, calm, and stability from Pramukh Swami Maharaj.
In Second session, Abu Dhabi mandir project head Brahmaviharidas Swami talked about Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s construction of temples and their global footprint. After a video about the significance of BAPS temples, senior BAPS swami and mahant of Gandhinagar Akshardham Anandswarupdas Swami remarked how Pramukh Swami Maharaj changed society’s landscape through festivities. He motivated thousands of selfless volunteers, encouraged skill development, inspired positive change, and transforming society.
The final part of the programme focused on how even the future will not be able to forget Pramukh Swami Maharaj. His spirituality transcended time's limitations. Each senior swami of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha emphasized on Pramukh Swami Maharaj's greatness. Tyagvallabhdas Swami had spoken about Pramukh Swami Maharaj's devotion to Bhagwan Swaminarayan and his gurus after Ghanshyamcharandas Swami offered a prayer. Swayamprakashdas Swami (Doctor Swami) highlighted how Pramukh Swami Maharaj treated everyone equally, whereas Bhaktipriyadas Swami described Pramukh Swami Maharaj's saintliness. Ishwarcharandas Swami talked about the charming modesty of Pramukh Swami Maharaj.
While addressing the devotees at closing ceremony of PSM 100, present head of BAPS- Mahant Swami Maharaj stated that “We saw in today’s assembly that Pramukh Swami Maharaj had cared for everyone. Thus, everyone felt that he is mine. That is why none can ever forget him, not today and not thousands of years hence.”
He continued by saying “Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s centenary was celebrated in a grand and divine way. By Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s grace, the festival has been completed without a hitch. By celebrating this festival, we offered our devotion to our guru. We should never forget this. This festival was not celebrated to show anyone or increase our glory. The true benefit of this festival is for our life to become more like Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s. He had virtues of service, resoluteness in spiritual observances, unity and affection.”
“Whoever visited this festival, supported it or even appreciated it from afar, may God bless them. And the service and sacrifice of the volunteers and swamis cannot be forgotten. They have endured so many hardships. Without the volunteers, this would not have been possible. In such difficult circumstances, they keep courage, and without looking at day or night, served humbly. Bhagwan Swaminarayan, Gunatitanand Swami, Pramukh Swami Maharaj and I have been very, very pleased with their service” he said.
Later Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s centennial celebrations were officially concluded with a mass maha-arti, a colourful dance by youths and fireworks.
Guests visited PSM 100
Smriti Irani, Minister of Women & Child Development stated that “I can never relate Pramukh Swami Maharaj with the word “grand” but rather with words “kind and gentle”. It is his gentle form that reflected here, from his way of life, his actions and practices, and from the values he imparted and it is the reason why people from not only the Swaminarayan Sampraday but people from different cultures and society, religions and countries have come here. Only one thread ties everyone together and that is Swamiji’s thread of (moral and spiritual) values.”
“You might typically consider spiritual individuals to be distant and unconnected, but this was the opposite. A living example of rooted spirituality was Pramukh Swami Maharaja. I find the entire event to be inspiring and excellent, but the volunteerism especially strikes me as having strength in our society because it is so firmly rooted and sincere.” said Minister of Foreign Affairs, S Jaishankar.
Dr Aman Puri, Consulate General of India-Dubai said “I feel blessed to be able to come here on the centenary celebrations of Pramukh Swami Maharaj, I think everything he did was driven by the concept of selfless service. He was touching the lives of millions of individuals. He was really driven by heart it was a journey for him to look at how to connect with the human being irrespective of where the person came from.”