Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s birth centenary was celebrated at the Stockton Bight Sand Dunes in the Worimi Conservation Lands in Port Stephens at Anna Bay and Williamstown. Created thousands of years ago, it is the largest moving coastal dunes in the Southern Hemisphere.

The theme of the celebration was: “In the joy of others ­– celebrating a life promoting an addiction-free life.”

Devotees gathered to commemorate Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s life-transforming message of living an addiction-free life. An assembly was held in which they discussed Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s determination for inspiring individuals to give up their harmful addictions.

BAPS swamis performed pujan and arti of Pramukh Swami Maharaj, and prayed that every person lives an addiction-free life. The volunteers all pledged to spread this message to widely.

A special procession on camels and quad bikes in the splendid sand dunes was carried out by youths to honor Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s life and legacy.

The Buchan Caves are a group of limestone caves that include the Royal Cave and the Fairy Cave, located in the south-west region of the Australian state of Victoria. The limestone rock at Buchan was laid down 400 million years ago. The caves were formed by solution of limestone over time. They have a total length of between three and four kilometers, and six entrances. This was the location selected to proclaim Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s message of family harmony as part of his centenary celebrations.

Pramukh Swami Maharaj traveled throughout the world, dedicating his life to the well-being of others by fostering family harmony. Thus, this message ­­– ‘In the Joy of Others: Celebrating a Life Promoting Family Harmony’ – echoed from inside of the caves as a call for all to adopt for a peaceful and harmonious life.

Swamis performed pujan of the murtis of Shri Akshar-Purushottam Maharaj, Shri Nilkanth Varni Maharaj, Pramukh Swami Maharaj and Mahant Swami Maharaj inside the Fairy Cave and Royal Cave, and also recited the Vedic Shanti Path for world peace.

Thereafter, Mahamahopadhyaya Bhadreshdas Swami spoke in Sanskrit to express the messages Pramukh Swami Maharaj and Mahant Swami Maharaj have spread across the globe for developing a harmonious world. Sanskrit verses from the Satsang Diksha shastra related to family well-being were also recited. A special annakut of cakes decorated with the messages for family harmony given by Pramukh Swami Maharaj was offered to the murtis. Then, the swamis and local park ranger performed arti. At the end, the swamis prayed that the seven practices revealed by Pramukh Swami Maharaj help to unite all families with peace and happiness.