On Wednesday, June 21, 2017, devotees and well-wishers
gathered to welcome His Holiness Mahant
Swami Maharaj at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir
in Atlanta, GA. It was Mahant Swami Maharaj’s
first trip to North America as Guru and President of
the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, continuing the life
work and mission of his guru Pramukh Swami Maharaj.
Atlanta was the first stop on his three-month
North American tour.
Thousands came from all across the Southeast to mark this momentous occasion and take blessings of Mahant Swami Maharaj, the new
figurehead of BAPS.
A welcome assembly was held by BAPS community
members on June 23, 2017. Children had been
practicing for the many scheduled programs during
his visit and had cultivated their knowledge of spiritual
texts and devotional songs, committing them
to memory. Attending were U.S. Congressman Rob
Woodall, Georgia Public Service Commissioner Tim
Echols, and Consul D. V. Singh (Head of Chancery).
Also present were leaders of the city of Lilburn: Mr.
Bill Johnsa, City Manager, Chief Bruce Hedley, Chief
of Police, Mr. Doug Stacks, Director of Planning and
Economic Development, and Ms. Nikki Perry, Public
Relations Manager as well as leaders of numerous
Hindu and other organizations from the Greater
Atlanta area.
A pujan of shlokas and offerings was performed.
Then BAPS youth from the Southeast region performed
a traditional swagat dance, and Mahant Swami
Maharaj blessed the gathering.
“This congregation and its people welcome everyone,”
said Rob Woodall, U.S. Representative for Georgia’s
7th Congressional District. He remembered the
life motto of His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj
(In the joy of others, lies our own) and mentioned,
“While I had never heard the phrase before in my life,
I can tell you now with conviction that the joy in these
faces is truly found in the joy of others in our community.”
While meeting Mahant Swami Maharaj before
the assembly, Woodall shared, “I am in awe internally
of the spiritual fortitude of your volunteers.”
Various programs throughout the 17-day visit
included Yuvak-Yuvati Din, Bal-Balika Din, Kishore-
Kishori Din, Shishu Din, Shri Nilkanth Varni Punah
Pratishtha, Diksha ceremony, Mahila Din, an outdoor
10th-anniversary celebration, and a three-day
family shibir. The festivities ended with a Guru Purnima
celebration.
July 1 was the ten-year anniversary celebration
for the mandir, which had been inaugurated by His
Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj in 2007.
Heer Patel from Memphis, Tennessee was relatively
new to the BAPS community during the inaugural
ceremonies in 2007 and recalled the event
with great enthusiasm, “[Pramukh Swami] was truly
someone special …. It has been such an amazing experience
to have just as amazing interactions with
Mahant Swami Maharaj as we celebrated the 10 year
anniversary of the mandir.”
The anniversary celebrations were primarily created
and led by the youth of BAPS, who prepared for
several months. Yash Soni from Parkland, FL said, “I
have … developed a greater understanding of samp
(unity) and teamwork. These are two values that he
has stressed to youths of my age.”
Highlights from the program included video footage
of the inaugural ceremonies and colorful cultural
dances. Guests relived the past ten years of the mandir’s
history, the development of youth activities, and
the installation of the sacred image of Nilkanth Varni.
Devotees shared stories of reaching milestones in
their spirituality, growing closer to one another, and
practicing peaceful living—all inspired and guided by
the role of mandir in their lives.
Lilburn’s Mayor Johnny Crist presented Mahant
Swami Maharaj with a key to the city, saying, “Most
cities … want to be a place where you live, work, and
play. But …we need to be a city where there is a place
to live, to work, to play, and to pray.” Mayor Crist also
brought a proclamation designating July 1, 2017 as
Mahant Swami Maharaj Day in the city of Lilburn.
Other cities proclaiming the same are Matthews, NC;
Boynton Beach, FL; Montgomery, AL; Knox County, TN;
and Anderson, SC.
Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp conferred
an Honorary Citizenship of Georgia to Mahant Swami
Maharaj. Consul General Nagesh Singh conveyed a
hearty welcome on behalf of the Government of India.
Mahant Swami Maharaj, Guru and President of the global BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha.
The celebrations concluded with blessings from
Mahant Swami Maharaj who encouraged all to uphold
unity, maintain faith, and further develop one’s spirituality
in strengthening the mandir as a community
place of worship.
Mahant Swami Maharaj emphasizes the importance
of unity for families, organizations, and communities.
His life communicates the core values of
BAPS rooted in mutual understanding, tolerance, respect,
and consideration for individuals. He aims to
inspire devotees to live a healthy, balanced life, filled
with spirituality, morals, family values, and respect
for others.
People of all faiths and cultural backgrounds are
invited to visit and explore the mandir, its architecture,
and its Hindu teachings.
Website Bonus Feature
Photo Galleries:
http://www.baps.org/Global-Network/North-America/Atlanta/News.aspx
Yuvak-Yuvati Din Celebration 2017, Atlanta, GA, USA
24 Jun 2017
Bal-Balika Din Celebration 2017, Atlanta, GA, USA
26 Jun 2017
Kishore-Kishori Din Celebration 2017, Atlanta, GA, USA
27 Jun 2017
10th Anniversary Celebrations of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Atlanta, GA, USA
1 Jul 2017
About BAPS
The BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) is a worldwide spiritual and humanitarian organization that is dedicated to community service, peace, and harmony. Motivated by Hindu principles, BAPS strives to care for the world by caring for societies, families, and individuals. Through various spiritual and humanitarian activities, BAPS endeavors to develop better citizens of tomorrow with high esteem for their roots and culture. Its 3,300 international centers support these character-building activities. Under the guidance and leadership of His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, BAPS aspires to build a community that is free of addictions as well as morally, ethically and spiritually pure. For more details, please visit http://www.baps.org.
About Mahant Swami Maharaj
His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj is the sixth and current spiritual successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. He was ordained a swami by Yogiji Maharaj in 1961 and named Sadhu Keshavjivandas. As he was appointed the head (Mahant) of the Mandir in Mumbai, he became known as Mahant Swami. His devout, humble and service-focused life earned him the innermost blessings of Yogiji Maharaj and Pramukh Swami Maharaj. Mahant Swami Maharaj travels throughout the world inspiring people through his insightful spiritual discourses and disciplined conduct. His virtuous lifestyle and profound devotion to Bhagwan Swaminarayan and gurus are ideals toward which devotees strive. Mahant Swami Maharaj became the guru and President of BAPS upon Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s passing in 2016.
About Pramukh Swami Maharaj
Pramukh Swami Maharaj was the fifth spiritual successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. Under his leadership, BAPS grew into an international spiritual and humanitarian organization with over 3,300 centers worldwide. He dedicated his life to the well-being of others, traveling throughout the world to foster love, peace, harmony, righteousness, faith in God, and service to humanity. With genuine care and compassion, he reached out to all members of society irrespective of class, color, or age. Recognized and respected as one of India’s greatest spiritual teachers, he lived by and promoted the principle: “In the joy of others, lies our own.”
Pramukh Swami Maharaj initially came to the United States in 1974. From that initial visit through 2014, he visited North America a total of thirteen times with the goal of fostering growth and development of spiritual activities. Before his passing in 2016, he had appointed Mahant Swami Maharaj as his successor and the sixth spiritual successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan.