His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj along with other leading swamis and dignitaries celebrated Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s establishment of 1,231 mandirs worldwide before an assembly of tens of thousands during the fourth evening programme of the Pramukh Swami Maharaj Centenary Celebrations in Ahmedabad on Sunday 18 December.

Dignitaries paid tribute to Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s efforts to re-envision and rejuvenate the ancient mandir tradition in Hinduism that rekindled spirituality, preserved and propagated humanity’s invaluable spiritual heritage, and served society and the world.

The programme celebrating mandirs was titled, “My Mandir, My Home.” It commenced with over 150 children and youths from 19 countries presenting a devotional symphony using 33 different Indian instruments.

Highlighting Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s universal sentiments supporting mandirs, BAPS scholar Adarshjivandas Swami said, “The ‘Sant Dwar’ portrays various holy sages and avatars of India because Pramukh Swami Pramukh Swami had immense reverence for holy people irrespective of age, organisation or religion. Moreover, Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s respect was not only for people but also places of worship which he supported at all times.”

Memories of Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s work in mandir construction were rekindled through the kirtan, “Avo Nirakhiye Mandir”. Beautiful dances celebrating mandirs were performed by BAPS youths from India and Africa.

Elaborating on the subject of ‘The Unique Mandir Creator: Pramukh Swami Maharaj’, BAPS scholar Aksharvatsaldas Swami said, “From when Pramukh Swami Maharaj became the guru of BAPS in 1971 until he passed away in 2016, he built 1,231 mandirs worldwide that transformed the lives of millions. Every mandir created by Pramukh Swami Maharaj around the world is like an embassy of Indian Hindu heritage. Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s mandirs inspired youths towards spirituality and service. Thus, when thousands of students were stranded in the Russia-Ukraine War, volunteers from the BAPS mandirs in London and New Jersey began relief work for them immediately. During the COVID pandemic, BAPS mandirs played an essential role in relief work globally.”

Dignitaries present at today’s evening programme included:

• Padmashri Dr. Ramakant Panda, Chief Consultant for cardio-thoracic surgery and Vice Chairman & Managing Director of the Asian Heart Institute
• His Holiness Swami Govind Dev Giri ji Maharaj, Treasurer of the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust
• Sachchidanand Joshi, Member Secretary and Executive & Academic Head of Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), New Delhi
• Shivakumar Sundaram, Chairman, Executive Committee of Bennett Coleman & Company (Times of India Group)
• Yashwant Shukla, Charity Commissioner of the Government of Gujarat
• Gagjibhai Sutariya, President of ​​Sardardham
• Ratibhai Patel, President of the Vishv Umiya Foundation

Ratibhai Patel, President of the Vishv Umiya Foundation, said, “Pramukh Swami ignited the light of service around the world, directing the power of youth for the betterment of society. He was responsible for fostering greater harmony amongst humanity. BAPS temples have become centres of humanity and culture. BAPS’s efforts to uplift society through the building of temples is truly praiseworthy.`

Dr. Ramakant Panda, Chief Consultant for cardio-thoracic surgery and Vice-Chairman & Managing Director of the Asian Heart Institute, said, “While I run the country’s best heart hospital and have operated on more than 29,000 with world-leading outcomes, receiving Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s blessings three times in my life have been the greatest moments of my life in which I felt a powerful, transformative divinity.”

His Holiness Swami Govind Dev Giri Ji Maharaj, Treasurer of the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, said, “The only place to develop a divine, vast and inclusive vision one has to come here. Pramukh Swami belongs to everybody and everyone believes Pramukh Swami is theirs. I am here to bow my head to that person who showered the whole world with love.”

Shivakumar Sundaram, Chairman, Executive Committee of Bennett Coleman & Company (Times of India Group), said, “I bow to the selfless service and dedication of the volunteers here…The common thread in every activity of BAPS and Pramukh Swami Maharaj has been service to humanity. I have seen and felt today how he has touched and made a difference in the lives of so many people, personally and through mandirs.”

In conclusion, His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj blessed the assembly. He said, “Pramukh Swami Maharaj would always say that a mandir is a place where the mind finds peace. Although great rishis have been overcome by their mind, the mandir grants the mind stability…So, do not see the mandir as just a pile of stones. While it appears to be made of stone, each stone is infused with a divine life-force. Pramukh Swami Maharaj has said that a mandir is a factory for making an ideal human.”

On December 17th during the month-long centenary celebrations of His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, thousands gathered at Pramukh Swami Maharaj Nagar in Ahmedabad to celebrate “Para-Bhakti Day”, marking Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s pure and singular devotion to God. 

The evening assembly began with an address by Pujya Adarshjivandas Swami, a learned swami of BAPS, and the author of the extensive biography of His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj. He reflected on the centrality of devotion in Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s life and his constant communion with God. He said, “Pramukh Swami built over 1,100 Mandirs, wrote over 760,000 letters, visited over 17,000 cities, towns and villages, personally counselled over 810,000 people, and organised thousands of social activities, philanthropic works and festivals. However…his devotion to God always came first.”

Thereafter, Pujya Prabhucharandas Swami, a learned swami of BAPS, said, “In times of honour or insult, difficulty or ease, joy or sorrows victory or defeat, Pramukh Swami Maharaj had never forgotten God. He remained absorbed in God 24 hours a day.”

The following dignitaries were in attendance:

• Sri Sri Sri Tridandi Chinna Srimannarayana Ramanuja Jeeyar Swami Ji, Founder of Jeeyer Intergrated Vedic Academy (JIVA)
• Parshottam Rupala, Union Cabinet Minister
• Sudhir Nanavati, President of Gujarat Law Society University
• Suresh Shelat, Former Advocate-General (Government of Gujarat)
• Dr. J Rameshwar Rao, Founder Chairman of My Home Group (TV9)
• Kalpesh Solanki, Group Managing Editor of Asian Media Group (Garavi Gujarat), UK
• CA Dr. Girish Ahuja, Taxation Expert and Educationalist

Sudhir Nanavati, President of Gujarat Law Society University said, “My experiences and memories with Pramukh Swami Maharaj have truly been divine. The love in his eyes is comparable to the love I saw in my mother’s eyes, while his laughter is so innocent that I can clearly recall his eyes and laughter after all these years. I recall that when I touched his feet 35 years ago, I experienced a divine current that flowed through me the likes of which I have never experienced ever again. I would like to say that while he may not be here today, his love, affection and selfless service is something that is the rarest of the rare.”

Suresh Shelat, Former Advocate-General of the Government of Gujarat said “In 1981, Pramukh Swami had sanctified my home and was waiting for me patiently while I was still on my professional duty in the court. Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s patience was exemplary and he was always available for his devotees. Pramukh Swami Maharaj abided by his teachings ‘in the joy of others lies our own.’”

Pramukh Swami Maharaj, a modern-day torchbearer of Sanatan Hindu Dharma, was paid a grand tribute on “Culture Day” which took place on December 16th. Dignitaries honoured the invaluable contribution of Pramukh Swami Maharaj to Indian culture—his simultaneous nourishing of national pride and universal values.

Several political, social and industrial leaders joined the evening assembly to pay their tribute to Pramukh Swami Maharaj. The evening programme included an address by Pujya Adarshjivandas Swami, a learned swami of BAPS and the author of the extensive biography of His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj. He reflected on Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s crucial role in preserving and nurturing Indian culture and making it globally accessible with all the richness and diversity of its beliefs, values and spiritual traditions. In particular, he contributed scriptures, mandirs and swamis – the pillars of Indian culture.

Mahamahopadhyaya Bhadreshdas Swami, a scholarly swami of BAPS – who composed commentaries on the three foundational scriptures of Hinduism (the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita, the Upanishads, and the Brahmasutras, collectively termed Prasthanatrayi) – highlighted the universal richness of Indian culture and the unparalleled contribution of Pramukh Swami Maharaj to sustaining it around the world. He said, “Our cultural heritage has touched upon every aspect of people’s life, be it spirituality, cultural values, art, literature, and music. Spirituality is the essence of our culture. Hindu scriptures like the Gita have described the highest spiritual calibre a person can achieve. In Pramukh Swami Maharaj, one can see all these qualities of our culture in a single person.”

“Our culture is generous as it is one of inclusive debate. The inauguration ceremony of Akshardham Delhi saw the presence of the President of India, the Prime Minister of India and the Leader of the Opposition on one platform. This was reported in the media, which stated that a Muslim President, a Sikh Prime Minister and a Hindu leader together inaugurated Akshardham. This inclusiveness was the hallmark of Pramukh Swami.”

Guests in attendance included:

•   Kashmir Manoj Sinha, Lieutenant Governor of Jammu
•   Prayasvin Patel, Chairman and Director of Elecon Company
•   Bharat Joshi, Security Director of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office
•   Thakor Saheb of Limbdi
•   Shri Jaideepsinhji Chhatrasalji Sinhji, Director of Madhwani Group
•   Shrai Madhwani, Mayor of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation
•   Kiritkumar Parmar, Chairman of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation
•   Hitesh Barot
•   Girish Dattatreya
•   Charles Patel, Leading British entrepreneur

Bharat Joshi, Director Secretary of the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office, said, “Pramukh Swami Maharaj was someone who cared deeply about all individuals…My abiding memory of Pramukh Swami Maharaj was in 2002 after the appalling attack on Akshardham in Gandhinagar. Pramukh Swami Maharaj could have reacted in so many different ways, but he proved to everyone that love, understanding and forgiveness were more powerful than guns and hand grenades. His words and actions averted a much greater calamity and much more bloodshed, and reminded us all that we can resist giving into our own anger…Those values run through BAPS and are what makes it such a force for universal good when the world faces so many different dangers.”

Lieutenant Governor of Jammu, Kashmir Manoj Sinha said, “Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s entire life was dedicated to the betterment of humanity…Through his efforts of the upliftment of the poor, empowering women, education, medical hospitals and camps, and de-addiction of over 4 million people, he has reignited culture in society…He taught all of humanity that we should focus our energies on unity and growth.”

In his blessings to the audience, His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj stated, “Our culture stands on three pillars. One is mandirs. Pramukh Swami Maharaj has created 1,100 mandirs. Mandirs purify people’s lives. They bring peace to individuals and society…The purpose of creating mandirs is so that we do not forget our culture and values. Hindu scriptures are a second pillar on which our culture stands. Abiding by the injunctions of the scriptures brings peace, purity and happiness to our lives. Third, just as one needs a teacher to acquire knowledge…to understand our culture, one needs a sant, who is the third pillar of our culture. Thus, mandirs, scriptures and saints are our life…In this way, we must preserve and protect our culture and religion…Faith in the guru can transform our entire life. It will give us peace and God’s grace.”

The Home Minister of India Amit Shah inaugurated the month-long ‘International Convention for Better Living’ on December 15th in the Pramukh Swami Maharaj Nagar in the presence of His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj and many leading industrialists of India.

As part of the convention, throughout each day, there will be

• Themed assemblies focusing on the life, work and messages of His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj
• Women’s programmes with various presentations and performances produced and planned by women volunteers
• Academic conferences where national and international academics will gather to present their research on topics ranging from mandir architecture and Hindu literature to women’s empowerment and scheduled caste upliftment
• Professional conferences hosting various professional associations such as lawyers, doctors and entrepreneurs.

The evening assembly today started with a unique symphony of 150 performers from 19 countries and 33 Indian instruments. Today’s convention was attended by many dignitaries including:

• Chairman of the Adani Group, Gautam Adani
• Director of Reliance Industries and Member of Parliament, Parimal Nathwani
• Chairman of GMR Group, G. M. Rao
• Chairman and Director of Kalyan Jewellers, T. S. Kalyanraman
• Karsan Patel of Nirma Industries
• Chairman of Zydus Cadila, Pankaj Patel
• Sudhir Mehta of Torrent Group
• Managing Director of Sun Pharmaceuticals, Dilip Sanghvi
• Chairman of Hero Electric and Hero Exports, Vijay Munjal

Chairman of Torrent Group Sudhir Mehta said, “Pramukh Swami Maharaj was truly a people’s guru. Through his innate humility, universal wisdom and striking simplicity, he transformed the lives of spiritual seekers, community leaders and global personalities. BAPS’s humanitarian services and grassroots efforts play a significant role in the upliftment of society.”

Chairman of Zydus Cadila Pankaj Patel said, “Pramukh Swami Maharaj is the greatest university for all of us in which we must learn to imbibe the values of selfless sacrifice, love, and absolute faith in the guru. As a spiritual leader, he has enlightened millions of souls, yet throughout his personal life he remained forever simple and humble. As a spiritual leader, he propagated the message of equality regardless of caste, creed or religion. Inspired by Pramukh Swami Maharaj, BAPS has created an institution which is focused on the upliftment of all.”

Director of Reliance Industries and Member of Parliament Parimal Nathwani said, “I consider this Pramukh Swami Maharaj Nagar to be a confluence of all the four holiest places of Hinduism. BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha not only builds mandirs, but shapes the lives of countless people.”

Chairman of the Adani Group Gautam Adani said “When I see what BAPS has created, I am astounded. As many of you know the Advani Group has built some of the largest infrastructure projects in the nation, yet it is humbling for me to see the power of volunteerism…This is unmatchable and there is so much here for even the best global corporations to learn.”

Home Minister of India Amit Shah said, “This amazing festival site should be a case study for students of management. This festival site not only gives one the experience of peace and divinity, but it provides the esoteric wisdom of the Vedas, Upanishads and Hindu culture in a way that the simplest folk can understand.”

His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj said, “Every second of his life, Pramukh Swami Maharaj worked for the upliftment of humanity. He did not just pay lip service to these values, but practised them and inspired others to practise them….Despite a person’s flaws, Pramukh Swami has looked to that virtue and given love to everyone, inspiring them to become better…If we want to progress, then we must correct our own flaws, but forgive the flaws in others. If we do this, then the atmosphere in our home and in society will improve.”

After the grand inauguration of the Pramukh Swami Maharaj Centenary Celebrations and Nagar in the presence of His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and other dignitaries, the Nagar is abuzz with various national and international events taking place.