A one-day conference was organized on 23 December for entrepreneurs and industry leaders as part of the centenary birth celebrations of His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj in Ahmedabad, in partnership with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), Entrepreneurs Organization, Gujarat (EO) and the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav government initiative.

Titled ‘Shaping the Future by Value-Based Management’, the conference was led by a panel of high-calibre speakers, including Rajiv Gandhi (Co-Chairman, FICCI Gujarat State Council and CEO and Managing Director, Hester Biosciences Ltd.), Chiranjiv Patel (Global Committee Member, EO), Vijay Chauthaiwale (In-Charge, Department. of Foreign Affairs, BJP), Ganpat Patel (Patron in Chief and President, Ganpat University), and Leander Paes (renowned professional tennis player).

In his inspiring inaugural address, Brahmaviharidas Swami, a senior swami of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), said, “God has gifted each one of us with the potential and ability to do something different, but because we continue to live on borrowed narratives, we do not fulfil our potential. The essential objective of this type of conference is to change the way we think and thereby transform the way you live. As you go around Pramukh Swami Maharaj Nagar, I hope you will listen with your heart and be inspired by the selfless life, work and wisdom of Pramukh Swami Maharaj and the 80,000 volunteers who helped create this festival with the inspiration of Mahant Swami Maharaj. Then, no one will be able to stop you from achieving what you want.”

In his welcome remarks, Rajiv Gandhi, Co-Chairman of FICCI Gujarat and CEO and Managing Director of Hester Biosciences Ltd., shared his insights on how value-based management addresses issues regarding employees and other stakeholders of an organization and can lead to the progress of an organization.

Thereafter, in his welcome address, Chiranjiv Patel, Global Committee Member of Entrepreneurs Organization for Gujarat, remarked, “80,000 volunteers have worked wholeheartedly to create ‘Pramukh Swami Maharaj Nagar’, while persisting through harsh weather conditions and hence, made the impossible possible. One can learn value-based management from Pramukh Swami Maharaj.”

Recollecting an incident of his childhood when he accompanied his father and a family friend to meet Pramukh Swami Maharaj, he said, “My father’s friend, who was one of the biggest entrepreneurs of a restaurant chain in Ahmedabad, apprised Pramukh Swami Maharaj for 15 minutes regarding the progress of his organization. However, Pramukh Swami Maharaj only replied, ‘Don’t forget to treat your employees with compassion and kindness.’ We can learn the greatest virtues of humanity and kindness from the greatest saint Pramukh Swami Maharaj.”

Vijay Chauthaiwale, In-Charge of the Department of Foreign Affairs for the BJP, shared his insights on value-based management as found in Hindu scriptures. Speaking about maintaining a balance in mental and spiritual health, he said, “Spiritual leadership is necessary for the transformation and success of an organization.”

Ganpat Patel, Patron in Chief and President of Ganpat University, said, “Upon seeing the vast dedicated volunteer force, I realized Pramukh Swami Maharaj has created value-based management through love. The management of Pramukh Swami Maharaj Nagar is so efficient because of the volunteers focus on what is right, rather than who is right.”

Thereafter, an interesting question and answer session was held in the presence of several eminent speakers. One of the questions asked was whether an attitude of volunteerism as seen in BAPS can be developed in private industries where people are motivated only by money. Leander Paes, renowned professional tennis player, replied, “In times when tech-savvy people are losing a sense of communication, the BAPS volunteers who have dedicated themselves to create the grandeur of this place are exemplary of passion and unity within the community.”

Chiranjiv Patel also appreciated the volunteerism of BAPS and noted, “All the volunteers in this place are serving with an intention to contribute selflessly. This is the legacy of Pramukh Swami Maharaj.” He further added that such attitude in the industry may be possible if we can learn even 1% of Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s lessons on value-based management. He highlighted two such volunteers of BAPS, namely Anish Patel (Managing Director of Aims Oxygen) and Paresh Rughani (international motivational speaker) and invited them to share their insights.

The final session concluded with an insightful talk by renowned spiritual motivational speaker of BAPS Gyanvatsaldas Swami. He said, “Pramukh Swami through his value-based management made BAPS one of the largest NGOs in the world, performing 162 different activities selflessly. To become a value-based person, we should believe from our core that we cannot do anything wrong in our lives. If spirituality is added to progress, it leads to success.”

All the delegates were given a guided tour of ‘Pramukh Swami Maharaj Nagar’ where they learned about Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s inspiring life and worldwide contributions for humanity through the various attractions and exhibitions.

This event was the sixth in a series of 14 such conferences for professionals of various fields, including accountants, lawyers, industrialists, technocrats and entrepreneurs. It is a testament to the progressive mindset of Pramukh Swami Maharaj, whose work and teachings touched people from all walks of life, to ensure the holistic success and happiness of everyone in society.

Pramukh Swami Maharaj was an exemplary spiritual leader who personified his universal teaching, “In the joy of others lies our own.” The culmination of his centenary anniversary is being celebrated through a month-long festival on a 600-acre site off the SP Ring Road in Ahmedabad made possible by the selfless service of more than 80,000 volunteers inspired by His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, the spiritual successor of Pramukh Swami Maharaj.

A one-day conference was organized on 22 December for members of the National Association of Realtors (NAR) as a part of the centenary birth celebrations of His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj in Ahmedabad, in partnership with the Ahmedabad Realtors Association (ARA).

Titled “Realtor Pro”, the conference was led by a panel of high-calibre speakers, including Nishith Shah (Treasurer, NAR India), Samir Arora (President, NAR India), Dr. Radhakrishnan Pillai (Renowned Author and Orator), Shiva Kumar CR (President Elect, NAR), Harshvardhan Jain (Founder, High Caliber Training Foundation; Corporate Trainer, Business Coach, Reformist and a Successful Infopreneur).

In the welcome address, Nishith Shah, Treasurer of NAR, said, “The grandeur of Pramukh Swami Maharaj Nagar makes me believe that miracles do indeed happen.” He then elaborated on the contributions of realtors in forging the future of India, noting that the realty industry contributes about 20% of India’s GDP .

Thereafter, Samir Arora, President of NAR India, said, “Just as one feels insignificant standing beside an ocean, upon seeing the grandeur of Pramukh Swami Maharaj Nagar, I realize how insignificant I am in spite of being a part of more than a thousand events for realtors.” He added, “Upon reading that BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha is a volunteer-driven socio-spiritual organization working for Hindu ideals, I realize NAR also holds similar ideals of volunteerism.” He further spoke about the role and contribution of NAR India in the growth of the profession.

In his keynote address on ‘Strategic Wisdom of Chanakya for Business and Personal Growth”, Dr. Radhakrishnan Pillai, a renowned Indian author-orator, said, “The magnificence of the celebrations by BAPS have increased as I witness the centenary celebrations of Pramukh Swami Maharaj here today. As a teacher, I give 400 marks out of 100 to the cleanliness, purity, divinity and piousness of this place.”

Subsequently, Shiva Kumar CR, President Elect of NAR, said, “The ancient Tamil text ‘Purananuru’ says that everyone is a world citizen and everyone is my own kith and kin. BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha also believes in this motto and makes people professing different faiths a part of their own family.”

Harshvardhan Jain, founder of High Caliber Training Foundation and a successful corporate trainer, business coach and infopreneur appreciated the selfless spirit of the volunteers at Pramukh Swami Maharaj Nagar and elaborated on the principles of personnel management, time management, communication.

The final session concluded with an insightful talk by renowned spiritual motivational speaker of BAPS Gyanvatsaldas Swami. Speaking on ‘Attitude: The Master Key’. He also urged the delegates to take inspiration from the exhibits and attractions of Pramukh Swami Maharaj Nagar to lead a life free of addiction, committed to family values and in the service of others.

All the delegates were then given a guided tour of ‘Pramukh Swami Maharaj Nagar’ where they learned about Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s inspiring life and worldwide contributions for humanity through the various attractions and exhibitions.

This event was the fifth in a series of 14 such conferences for professionals of various fields, including accountants, lawyers, industrialists, technocrats and entrepreneurs. It is a testament to the progressive mindset of Pramukh Swami Maharaj, whose work and teachings touched people from all walks of life, to ensure the holistic success and happiness of everyone in society.

Pramukh Swami Maharaj was an exemplary spiritual leader who personified his universal teaching, “In the joy of others lies our own.” The culmination of his centenary anniversary is being celebrated through a month-long festival on a 600-acre site off the SP Ring Road in Ahmedabad made possible by the selfless service of more than 80,000 volunteers inspired by His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, the spiritual successor of Pramukh Swami Maharaj.

An international academic conference on the inclusive and sustainable development of Scheduled Tribe communities was held on December 22, 2022, at the Pramukh Swami Maharaj Nagar in Ahmedabad. International scholars and intellectuals participated to discuss the role of saints and religious figures to better understand and address the challenges facing the Adivasi (Scheduled Tribe) communities.

Papers were presented on the role of religious traditions initiated by India’s saints and sages who have endeavored to understand the challenges, conflicts, and problems faced by Scheduled Tribe communities. Titled “The Role of Saints in the Empowerment of Scheduled Tribes,” the conference was organized by Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, Center for Civilisational Studies, Delhi, and BAPS Swaminarayan Research Institute, New Delhi.

Presenters at the conference explored how different spiritual personalities and contemporary organizations, including BAPS, Ramkrishna Mission, Chinmaya Mission, and others, continue to actively contribute toward empowering tribal communities in India. The conference focused on the current challenges impeding the social betterment of the scheduled tribes. It also discussed the impact and means of providing resources and infrastructural support for healthcare, education, de-addiction support, vocational assistance, and access to innovative technologies while preserving local cultures and identities.

The Inaugural Session

Pujya Aksharcharandas Swami inaugurated the conference by performing the deep pragatya in the presence of Mahamahopadhyay Bhadreshdas Swami, Aksharvatsaldas Swami, and other swamis. Shri Bhagwandas Patel, a renowned folklorist on tribal traditions; Shri Ravi Shankar, the Director of the Center for Civilisational Studies, Delhi; Shri Ramchandra Kharadi, the National President of Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram; Shri Atul Jog, National Organizing Secretary, Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram; Shri Bhagwan Sahay, Urban Minister of Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram; and Shri Harsh Chouhan, the Chairperson of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes, joined in the deep pragatya ceremony.

Shri Ravi Shankar welcomed the dignitaries on stage and the over 100 delegates in the audience with his opening remarks. In his keynote address, Shri Bhagwandas Patel, a world-renowned expert on Adivasi traditions and an author of several volumes on Adivasi rituals and mythologies, expressed his humble tribute to Pramukh Swami Maharaj in heralding a new era for Adivasi communities. Citing examples from Bhil poetry and narratives, he noted how Adivasis share a profound relationship with the divine in their own unique way. He elaborated that Adivasis prioritize the welfare of others above their own which is “an ethical value embodied in the life and work of Pramukh Swami Maharaj.”

In his inaugural address, Shri Harsh Chouhan emphasized that traditional methods of perceiving class and caste-based societies are unsuitable models for understanding scheduled tribes. He stressed the need to develop new criteria through constructive forums like this conference. He recommended preserving the collective memory and oral traditions of Adivasi communities. Shri Harsh Chouhan drew attention to the importance of recognizing the achievements of the Adivasi and fostering a sense of pride within the community. He also discussed the spiritual nature of these communities and their unique devotional practices. He concluded by identifying scheduled castes as assets, not liabilities, and applauded BAPS Swamis’ continued efforts to raise public awareness and enhance respect for tribal communities.

Shri Ramchandra Kharadi followed by calling attention to Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s personal involvement in tribal affairs as a model for advancing Adivasi development. He mentioned the widespread impact that Swamiji’s instructions for ghar sabhas had on promoting self-worth, family unity, and community development. Shri Ramchandra Kharadi also added that the contribution of BAPS Swamis towards tribal empowerment has the potential to redefine our understanding of education.

Mahamahopadhyay Bhadreshdas Swami concluded the session by stating that Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s simplicity and empathy developed lasting emotional and spiritual connections with individuals from Adivasi communities. He also drew attention to a vernacular version of Geeta recited by Adivasis and noted how the text’s profound message is conveyed in a simple manner.

The Plenary and Paper Presentation Sessions

In this session, Gyannayandas Swami highlighted the contribution of Pramukh Swami Maharaj in not only redefining the prevalent understanding of tribal empowerment but also implementing it through value-based education, de-addiction, self-worth, and fulfillment initiatives. Thereafter, the conference organizers provided a platform to Shri Reshma Parghi, an Adivasi Swaminarayan devotee from Himmatnagar. He recalled an incident where Pramukh Swami Maharaj personally endeavored to provide fresh water to his village. Dr. Anandvardhan then described the lineage of rishis from Rishi Agastya to Pramukh Swami Maharaj and elaborated on their contributions to tribal communities. Shri Bhagwan Sahay concluded the plenary session by expressing his views on the presentations.

Dr. Manoj Pandya, an Associate Professor at Shri Govind Guru Government College in Banswara, Rajasthan, chaired the Paper Presentation Session that followed. During this session, Shri Rajiv Ranjan highlighted Ramakrishna Ashrama’s implementation of a practical approach toward tribal welfare in the remote areas of Chhattisgarh. Thereafter, Shri Hitabhilash Mohanty, a lawyer by profession, emphasized the importance of non-western perspectives on understanding the Adivasi communities, specifically re-examining forest laws that impact several Adivasi communities on issues of collective land holding.

The Concluding Session

Shri Atul Jog, Shri Bhagwan Sahay, Shri Ramchandra Kharadi, Shri Kubersinh Dindor, Shri Bhagwandas Patel, Dr. Jyotindra Dave, and Shri Ravi Shankar addressed the conference attendees during the concluding session. Shri Atul Jog re-emphasized the importance of simple living and identified it as a virtue shared among Swamis and those of the Adivasi community. He then appreciated the conference’s organizers and concluded by stating, “We should focus our efforts on providing practical assistance to Adivasi communities.” Shri Ravi Shankar, thereafter, observed, “In India, saints visit villages and go into the forest to transform and realize themselves.” Dr. Kuberbhai Dindor, a Minister for the Tribal Development of the Gujarat State, highlighted the noteworthy contributions of saints like Pramukh Swami Maharaj. He emphasized their efforts to promote unity, equality, and universal human values that extend to the tribal communities of Gujarat and beyond. Dr. Jyotindra Dave concluded the conference by expressing his gratitude to the organizers, dignitaries, and volunteers who helped make the conference possible.

An international academic conference on “The Role of Saints in the Empowerment of Scheduled Castes” was held on 21 December 2022 at the Pramukh Swami Maharaj Nagar in Ahmedabad.  The conference was organized by the BAPS Swaminarayan Research Institute, New Delhi, in collaboration with Guru Ghasidas University, Bilaspur, and Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, as part of the centenary celebrations of His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj.

The diversity of India’s regions, languages, cultures, and other social practices has interested scholars worldwide. Despite the diversity of these traditions, Indian history has witnessed many social challenges. Nevertheless, the saints of India have always strived to address these problems at critical junctions and successfully worked to establish unity, equality, and harmony in society.

During the conference, eminent scholars from around the world presented original research that discovered, reflected upon, and recognized the efforts undertaken by India’s great saints to empower scheduled castes. Attending scholars explored the relevance of their research to contemporary social issues and the role of saints in reforming modern society. The conference also highlighted Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s significant contribution to promoting social empowerment and harmony.

The Inaugural Session

The conference was inaugurated by Pujya Gnaneshwardas Swami. He performed the deep pragatya in the presence of Mahamahopadhyay Bhadreshdas Swami, Aksharvatsaldas Swami, and others. Padma Shri Milind Kamble, the founding member of the Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Prof. Alok Kumar Chakrawal, Vice Chancellor of Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya, Bilaspur; Prof. Himanshu Pandya, Vice Chancellor of Gujarat University; Shri Sanjiv Dangi, a member of the Board of Directors, IIM, Ahmedabad; Dr. Bizay Sonkar Shastri, a former Member of Parliament; Shri Ramanlal Vora, a former Education Minister of Gujarat; and Shri Devji Rawat, the National Secretary of the Vishva Hindu Parishad, were among the dignitaries who graced the inaugural ceremony.

Prof. Himanshu Pandya welcomed more than 150 dignitaries to the conference. Thereafter, Prof. Milind Kamble presented the inaugural speech of the conference in which he acknowledged the efforts of socio-spiritual organizations like BAPS in spearheading efforts to promote social harmony. In his keynote speech, Prof. Alok Kumar Chakrawal emphasized the significant contributions of Bhagwan Swaminarayan in establishing equality at the grass-root level. He remarked, “Shriji Maharaj (Bhagwan Swaminarayan) not only envisioned but also actively enabled social harmony over 200 years ago.” He added, “In his lifetime, Shriji Maharaj constructed six mandirs, initiated 500 paramhansas, and authored the Shikshapatri to convey a universal message of equality.” Bhadreshdas Swami concluded the inaugural session by emphasizing the need to bring about change guided by the principles outlined in the smrutis. He noted that the Satsaṅgadīkṣā is one such smruti. It is a modern smruti that not only preserves the past but also addresses contemporary challenges. He concluded by pointing out that Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s efforts extended beyond just caste discrimination and included removing all forms of inequality, including those based on class, race, and gender.

The Plenary and Presentation Sessions

The inaugural session was followed by a plenary session. Shri Tarun Vijay, a former Member of Parliament, chaired and commenced the session. Shri Sanjiv Dangi began his presentation by asking: “Has our culture failed us, or have we failed it?” He stressed our neglect in recognizing the contribution of saints, especially those of Gujarat, who strived to empower society. He also expressed the need to implement the principles of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and other saints to promote social unity and harmony. Dr. Kalpesh Bhatt, an Assistant Professor at the University of Mary Washington, then presented on sociocultural pluralism. He explained the significance of identity in removing caste discrimination. He noted the important contributions of Pramukh Swami Maharaj in enabling such realization in the lives of many. Bhadreshdas Swami concluded the session by highlighting the impact of saints like Pramukh Swami Maharaj in alleviating social discrimination at a global level.

The plenary session was followed by parallel sessions in which many scholars presented their papers on the role of saints in empowering communities from diverse perspectives.

The Concluding Session

Shrutiprakashdas Swami, Mangalnidhidas Swami, Dr. Bizay Sonkar Shastri, Shri Kishor Makwana, Shri Ramanlal Vora, and Dr. Jyotindra Dave presented their research at the conference’s concluding session. The opening address of this session was delivered by Dr. Bizay Sonkar Shastri, who expressed his gratitude to Mahant Swami Maharaj for inspiring the Pramukh Swami Maharaj Nagar–an appropriate venue for the conference. He concluded, “If we are to find solutions to the challenges faced by scheduled castes, the Swaminarayan tradition would be the place to discover them.”

Thereafter, Shrutiprakashdas Swami and Mangalnidhidas Swami’s presentations summarized the day’s discussions. They highlighted Bhagwan Swaminarayan and Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s pioneering contributions toward redefining empowerment and how they transformed approaches for addressing discrimination.

Thereafter, Shri Ramanlal Vora emphasized the role of the Swaminarayan tradition in establishing social harmony while keeping spirituality at its center. Shri Kishor Makwana also remarked that the conference was a tribute to Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s proficiency in translating social awareness into constructive action.

Finally, Aksharvatsaldas Swami expressed his gratitude to all the presenters and attendees of the conference. He particularly thanked Shri Ravindra Kirkole for his immense support in making the conference a success and appreciated the organizers for facilitating its constructive dialogue.

The delegates found the conference to be an engaging platform that promoted essential conversations on social empowerment and eliminating social disparities. Attendees also felt the conference encouraged interdisciplinary and diverse perspectives and emphasized the need and means to transcend all forms of social division.

A special one-day conclave was organized today for members of the Confederation of Real Estate Developers Association of India (CREDAI) as a part of the centenary birth celebrations of His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj in Ahmedabad, in partnership with CREDAI Gujarat, supported by CREDAI Ahmedabad GIHED and sponsored by Dharmadev Infrastructure.

The conference was led by a panel of high-calibre speakers, namely

• Hemant Patel (President, CREDAI Gujarat),
• Rajni Ajmera (Chairman and MD, Ajmera Group), and
• Rahul Patel (M/s Patel & Co. Chartered Accountants).

The inaugural session included an inspiring motivational talk by Brahmaviharidas Swami, a senior swami of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha. He noted that we tend to lose hope on being constantly confronted with challenges. Quoting Pramukh Swami Maharaj, he said, “God affectionately supports those who face adversity with hope.” He added that the entire Pramukh Swami Maharaj Nagar is a shining example of delivering amidst challenges. He further said: “The key takeaway from Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s life is that we should continue to do good work and let others celebrate your good work.”

In a subsequent welcome address, Hemant Patel, Chairman of CREDAI  Gujarat, said, “100 conferences would be required to talk on Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s greatness!” Further shedding light on Pramukh Swami’s exemplary work, he said, “Pramukh Swami Maharaj, through his divinity and spirituality, created more than 1100 exquisite mandirs in India and around the world. It makes him an inspiration for us builders.”

Thereafter, an interesting moderated question and answer session followed with Rajnikant Ajmera, Chairman and Managing Director of Ajmera Group, in which he shared his insights on building a brand, family values, facing obstacles, lessons for young entrepreneurs, business principles, etc. He further added, “To maintain stability in life, faith in a religion is required. Pramukh Swami Maharaj would say we persevere fully and leave the end result to God.” He also said that practicing regular satsang has ensured that his family has overcome all problems.

Pujya Gyanvatsaldas Swami delivered an thought-provoking session on ‘Developing the Cultured Next Generation: The Real Property to Own.’ Shedding light on Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s teachings, he said, “If we do not impart values to our family, we will one day lose everything.” Further he appreciated the exemplary devotion of the family members of Rajnikant Ajmera that they start their routine only after performing their daily puja.

The conference concluded with a lecture by Rahul Patel, M/s of Patel & Co. Chartered Accountants, on GST. He shared his insights on legal issues in GST in the real estate industry. Appreciating the grandeur of ‘Pramukh Swami Maharaj Nagar’, he said, “The creation of such a mammoth and beautiful complex was only possible due to the blessings of Pramukh Swami Maharaj.”

Today’s event is the fourth in a series of 14 such conferences for professionals of various fields, including doctors, lawyers, industrialists, technocrats and entrepreneurs. It is a testament to the progressive mindset of Pramukh Swami Maharaj, whose work and teachings touched people from all walks of life, to ensure the holistic success and happiness of everyone in society.

An international academic conference on ancient Indian temple architecture was held from 19 to 20 December 2022 at the Pramukh Swami Maharaj Nagar in Ahmedabad. The conference’s central theme was: “Ancient Indian Texts on Temple Architecture and their Contribution to Modern Practices.”  The conference was organized by BAPS Swaminarayan Research Institute in collaboration with Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), a premier research institute of the Indian Government’s Ministry of Culture, as part of the centenary celebrations of His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj.

Eminent scholars from around the world presented original research at this two-day conference. The conference explored the role of temples (mandirs) as sacred spaces of devotion and cultural expression. The impact of temples in cultivating moral formation, social harmony, and community service was also highlighted. Researchers showcased the relationship between modern temple architectural practices and ancient texts on temple-building and investigated its development. The conference also celebrated Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s contribution to the legacy of temple-building and the profound impact it continues to play in communities across the world.

The conference witnessed a rich blend of both young and senior scholars from universities worldwide, including prominent institutions in New Delhi, Cambridge, Harvard, Chicago, and Toronto. They presented original research from various disciplinary perspectives, including philosophy, sociology, literature, and history.

The Inaugural Session

The conference commenced with an inaugural session during which Pujya Viveksagardas Swami consecrated the International Conference by performing deep pragatya in the presence of Pujya Anandswarupdas Swami, Brahmviharidas Swami, Shrutiprakashdas Swami, Bhadreshdas Swami, Aksharvatsaldas Swami, and other delegates. Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi, the Executive and Academic Head of the IGNCA; Shri D. N. V. Prasad Sthapathy, the chief architect of the Statue of Equality; Prof. G. B. Deglurkar, the former Vice-Chancellor of the Deccan College; Shri Divya Kush, the former president of the Indian Institute of Architects; and Shri Jitendra Shah, the former director of L. D. Institute of Indology–all joined in the ritual ceremony.

Thereafter, Brahmviharidas Swami delivered a welcome address to more than 150 scholars and delegates. He encouraged the attendees to approach this conference with a progressive mindset, not just to learn about history, but to create it. Pramukh Swami Maharaj worked to preserve the core values of humanity through building temples and bringing society together. Citing the example of the BAPS Hindu Mandir being created in Abu Dhabi, he explained how mandirs serve to synergize cultures, preserve traditional values, and integrate contemporary technological advancements.

Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi, thereafter, elaborated on the conference’s central theme by explaining the significance of manuscripts in preserving heritage. In this light, he identified Pramukh Swami Maharaj as a visionary, stating, “Pramukh Swami Maharaj was not just a man of thought, but also a man of action. We cannot even remember the names of 1200 temples, let alone make them.” In his keynote address, Dr. Shri Krishna Jugnu, an acclaimed scholar of ancient Indian architectural texts, highlighted the rich architectural heritage of India. He explained the significance of the Agamas, Samhitas, Shilpa Shastras, Puranas, and other sacred texts and their role in shaping culture, art, architecture, and spiritual practices through the ages.

The Plenary Session

After the inaugural session, the plenary session featured distinguished scholars who highlighted specific aspects of temple architecture. In his opening address, Shri Snehal Shah, a renowned Indian architect, showcased the adaptation of the Maru-Gurjara style of architecture in the context of M. A. Dhaky’s works. Shri Yatin Pandya, a well-known researcher, architect, and the founder of Footprints EARTH, focussed on the spatial and spiritual significance of temples. He explained how temples foster an environment where an individual can withdraw from the worldly realm and experience an intimate and personal connection with the divine. He further added that temples represent a space for the culmination and synchronization of all aspects of life–including dance, music, and poetry.

Thereafter, Shri Kiran Trivedi explained the significance of modern technological advancements in helping enhance the temple architectural tradition. Shri Vinod Kumar, the director of DD Architects, elaborated on the ‘living’ aspects of a temple in the context of Kerala temple architecture. He also expanded on the importance of sustaining regional rituals and crafts to conserve the living temples of Kerala.

Thereafter, Shri Snehal Patel, an engineer with practical experience in temple creation, explained the concepts of structural engineering used in the construction of the BAPS Hindu Temple in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Shri Sanjay Parikh, whose technical experience in constructing temples spans over three decades, explained how the construction of BAPS Swaminarayan mandirs is rooted in the engineering principles of ancient Indian texts like Shilpa Shastra.

The plenary session was concluded by Prof. G. B. Deglurkar, the former Vice-Chancellor of the Deccan College. In his presentation on the Maharashtra temples, he identified temples as encoded constructions that required interpretive skills like iconography and iconology to decipher their hidden meaning and significance. Citing The Hindu Temple by Stella Kramrisch, he noted that even the smallest part of a temple has meaning and purpose. As an example, he stated that details like the darpans (mirrors) at the Swaminarayan Akshardham, New Delhi, serve to encourage self-reflection.

The Presentation Sessions

After the plenary sessions, the delegates presented their research in parallel sessions which ran throughout the day. Shri Pratapanand Jha, who chaired one of the sessions, explored the case study of Thanjavur Brihadeeswara Temple and highlighted the role of the IGNCA in conserving ancient Indian temples through technological advancements. Dr. Sudhir Lall, a senior faculty and project director at IGNCA, explained the significance of time and space in performing rituals. He also acknowledged the role of Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s Centenary Celebrations in preserving the yajna tradition.

Conference – Day 2

In his opening address of the following day’s first session, Shri D. N. V. Prasad Sthapathy acknowledged Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s decisive role in representing Indian traditions and cultural values by creating temples throughout five continents. He also expressed his gratitude to Mahant Swami Maharaj for his involvement in the inauguration of Ramanujacharya’s murti, also known as the Statue of Equality. Thereafter, Shri Divya Kush recognized the importance of vastu in practicing modern architecture and the relationship between nature and art in shaping architecture. Shri Anand Ukidve then presented the journey from ancient Indian architecture to the extraordinary replica of Swaminarayan Akshardham currently displayed at the Pramukh Swami Maharaj Nagar, Ahmedabad. Dr. Shonaleeka Kaul, an Associate Professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University, recognized the significance of the Indian temple architecture as not just a confined place, but rather a universal and encompassing space. A parallel session was also conducted and chaired by Shri Rabindra Vasavada.

The following session was chaired by Shri Jitendra Shah. During this session, Dr. Shrutiprakashdas Swami, a renowned Sanskrit scholar and the Director of AARSH, Gandhinagar, highlighted Swaminarayan Akshardham’s (New Delhi) comprehensive expression of ancient Indian scripturality by including the chaturvyuh (24 unique) murtis. He further explained how this architectural presentation of religious tradition furthered the intellectual revelations of Bhagwan Swaminarayan.

Padma Shri Prabhakar Maharana, a well-known sculptor from Orissa, thereafter, praised the efforts of BAPS sadhus, particularly Shrutiprakashdas Swami, in examining the connection between ancient Indian texts and modern temples and adhering to them when creating BAPS mandirs. He then elaborated on the significant role of religious artisans in integrating ancient Indian architectural principles through temples right from the 8th century CE.

Shri Jitendra Shah concluded the session by acknowledging the pioneering contributions of the Swaminarayan tradition in constructing temples and identified the BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham at Robbinsville as one of the most awaited creations. By drawing parallels between mandir creation guidelines described within ancient texts and spiritual practices involved in mandir creation practices, he recognized Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s contributions to the temple-building tradition as profound expressions of dedication and devotion.

In the concluding session of this International Conference, Prof. G. B. Deglurkar remarked, “I have not seen such a well-organized event elsewhere. Everyone here works selflessly—without asking for anything in return and without expectations.” Regarding the  Pramukh Swami Maharaj Nagar, he noted, “The ambience is both magnificent and divine. It cannot be human-made, but only divinely inspired.” Prof. G. B. Deglurkar further explained, “He (Pramukh Swami Maharaj) has given new life to Hinduism… Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s inspired creation of over 1100 temples is a wonder. Yesterday, Shri Y. S. Rajan stated that with the blessings of Swamiji, one day a temple will be created on the moon. I remarked that the BAPS Hindu temple being constructed in Abu Dhabi is itself a temple on the moon.” He finally emphasized the significance of temples in preserving a 7000-year old Indian tradition. Shri Yatin Pandya also remarked that “the legacy of Pramukh Swami Maharaj is not a fossilized history, it is a living history.” Thereafter, Akshaymunidas Swami, who has been contributing to the creation of BAPS mandirs around the world for more than five decades, felicitated Shri Rabindra Vasavada, Shri Yatin Pandya, Shri Jitendra Shah, Shri Chandrakant Sompura, Shri Virendra Sompura, Shri Devdutt Sompura, and Shri Chetan Sompura.

Finally, Dr. Jyotindra Dave expressed his gratitude to the organizers of the conference, particularly Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi, Shri Pratapanand Jha, and Aksharvatsaldas Swami. He also thanked Prof. G. B. Deglurkar, Shri Rabindra Vasavada, Dr. Krishna Jugnu, Shri Jitendra Shah, Shri Yatin Pandya, and all the participants and volunteers for their valuable contributions.

Dignitaries attending the conference expressed gratitude for being given the opportunity to collaborate, discuss, and share their insights. New scholars and students also appreciated the experience of learning, exploring, and contributing to the field of study, as the conference allowed them to expand their knowledge and skills and make meaningful contributions to the academic community. Many delegates also felt that the Pramukh Swami Maharaj Nagar was a fitting location for the conference as it exemplified the magnificence of Indian cultural values and presented architectural traditions in a modern context. This conference not only became an excellent platform for sharing incisive academic insights but also offered a tribute to the life, work, and message of His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj—the unprecedented master-builder of our times.