BJP national president Amit Shah and Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani were guests at the culmination program.
The 400-acre site at Swaminarayan Nagar Surat became an attraction for all eyes as the devotees and BAPS celebrated the 96th birth anniversary of Pramukh Swami Maharaj.
Swami, the creator of Akshardham and spiritual leader of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, was the fifth spiritual successor in the Bhagwan Swaminarayan guru tradition.
The 11-day celebration programs focused on Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s grand and divine social and spiritual works. Throughskits, video shows, cultural dances and speeches, the program portrayed Swamiji’s tireless travels for the uplift of mankind. It also featured a women’s cultural program, blood donation camp and an anti-addiction drive.
Volunteers put in their best to pay homage to the guru who passed away on August 13, 2016 in Sarangpur. 18,000 male and female volunteers from all over India offered their services day and night and the whole cultural village was their creation.
The festival hosted over 1.5 million visitors as well as 60,000 students and 2,000 teachers from 125 schools.
The culmination of the festivities was the celebration of Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s birthday on Wednesday, Tithi as per Hindu calendar (Magsar Sudatham) and Nakshetra at the time of his birth in 1921 matches on the day.
Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani praised the personality of Pramukh Swami Maharaj and his contributions for the welfare of Gujarat. He also announced that the upcoming International sports stadium in Palanpur area of Surat would be named as Pramukh Swami International Stadium.
BJP President Amit Shah spoke about how he had experienced peace whenever he met Pramukh Swami Maharaj.
Government of India pay tributes to Pramukh Swami Maharaj by releasing postage stamps of Swamiji and Swaminarayan Akshardham.
Thereafter, the current spiritual leader of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha Mahant Swami Maharaj blessed the congregation of 200,000 through his speech.
“Pramukh Swami Maharaj lived a universal life. He worked for the all-round betterment of all, regardless of the background. His humility was unparalleled; he respected all and cared for people of all classes and denominations. He emphasized unity and family cohesion for a progressive and happy society,” Mahant Swami Maharaj said.
Offering respect to Pramukh Swami Maharaj a grand aarti was performed in the end of the celebrations.
BAPS Swaminnarayan Sanstha will also conduct grand celebrations across North America on December 11 and December 18.