11th Bhavanjali Mahotsav – A Grand Celebration in Dallas, TX

Grand celebration by Saints and devotees; Blessings to all the devotees by the saints

Noteworthy seva by women devotees; Devotees around the globe rejoiced

DALLAS, TX(TIP): Around the time when India became an independent nation, Shastriji Maharaj Shri Dharmajivandasji Swami laid the foundation for propagating true wisdom to help build the best character in students through an education that was both academic as well as spiritual. He started this effort by initiating the very first Gurukul of Swaminarayan Sampraday. Today more than 150 Gurukul centers exists across the Swaminarayan Sampraday where more than 100,000 students are enrolled in Gurukuls around the globe.

Shastri Shri Dharmajivandasji Swami renounced his home in 1917 when he was merely 14 years old.  To commemorate the centennial anniversary of the event, a grand Bhavanjali Mahotsav was celebrated across several branches of Rajkot Gurukul including Rajkot, Junagadh, Taravda, Una, Sarangpur, Morbi, Ahmedabad, Surat, Mumbai, Hyderabad and also Dallas, TX.

Shri Dhirubhai Babaria and Shri Manubhai Patolia of USA, who have dedicated themselves to the noble vision of Shastriji Maharaj, performed the very first poojan of Guruvarya Shri Devkrushnadasji Swami. 35 saints were present for the celebration including Shri Devprasaddasji Swami, Shri Laxminarayandasji Swami, Shri Narayanprasaddasji Swami and others. Devotees from Canada, Latin America, India, Dubai, Africa, UK, Australia as well as different parts of USA including New Jersey, Chicago, Washington, California, Boston, Atlanta, Phoenix, Pennsylvania, Huston, etc. were present to witness the grand celebration. Devotees including Shri Chaturbhai Vaghasia, Shri Gordhanbhai Paghdal, Shri Dhiubhai Kotadia, Shri Rakeshbhai Dudhat (Africa), Shri Jasmatbhai Sutaria, Shri Ashwinbhai Babaria were also present for the auspicious occasion.

Under the guidance of Shri Vishwaswaroopdasji Swami, several kids (born and raised in the US) took part in traditional Indian folk dances as a tribute to the grand celebration. The kids performed with great flare and poise which reflected their wholehearted dedication. Guruvarya Shri Devkrushnadasji Swami gave his blessings to Shri Vishwaswaroopdasji Swami for his tireless efforts.

There were more than 150 devotees who had dedicated their time to the temple for the past 50 days. Their efforts were blessed by Guruvarya Shri Devkrushnadasji Swami by presenting them all with a personalized momento. Women devotees also had a huge contribution to the celebration with their tremendous help by providing fresh chapatis, theplas and puris for lunch & dinner for roughly 2500 people each day.

Guruvarya Shri Devkrushnadasji Swami, in his blessings to all the devotees said, “Just like how a broom cleans the dust and other garbage, performing seva cleanses a human soul from bad vices.” He also added that, “Lord Swaminarayan always accepts selfless acts of seva. Shastriji Maharaj used to perform selfless seva like fetching water from the well for elderly saints to bathe, make chapatis from 30 kgs of flour every day to feed the saints as well as devotees. And in his free time, he focused on learning. He learned the 18 Adhyays of Geetaji in 18 days. He had memorized more than 800 kirtans and more than 700 slokas. Seeing the selfless efforts of each and every devotee here in Dallas makes me very happy. I pray for all your wellbeing.”

Shri Dharmavallabhdasji Swami had sent a kanthi (made of tulsi) of Nilkanth Varnindra Bhagwan which was graciously accepted by Shri Devkrushnadasji Swami.

More than 150 volunteers worked day and night, taking off from their office work, for last 50 days. Santo blessed these volunteers with memento. Also, women volunteers of Bhakti Mahila Mandal prepared rotli and thepla for more than 10000 visitors during this celebration.