CHICAGO: Bochasanwasi Akshar Purshottm Swaminarayan (BAPS) Mandir in Bartlett, a north west suburb of Chicago, celebrated the 232nd birth anniversary of Bhagwan Swaminarayan, also known as Swaminarayan Jayanti, on April 21.
The day is also auspiciously known as Ram Navmi for the celebration of the birth of Shri Ram. This year’s program included the re-enactment of Yash Gatha, a musical narration of the journey led by Bhagwan Swaminarayan and a depiction of his countless spiritual endeavors.
The youth of BAPS brought to life the story through the singing of the Yash Gatha. With each stanza, a part of the journey was depicted, accompanied by dances, speeches, and dramas interspersed throughout the performance.
Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s teachings were further shared through the stories narrated about Lord Ram, who sacrificed everything to be the ideal son while maintaining his dharma, or codes of behavior.
A special ladies program was held on April 14 to explore his relationship with devotees. The theme was centered around three crucial ways a devotee interacts with God as a way of offering devotion: understanding the true nature of God, seeking his refuge, and molding our lives according to his wishes.
The BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), a worldwide socio-spiritual organization, is dedicated to community service, peace and harmony. Under the guidance and leadership of His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, BAPS aspires to build a community that is morally, ethically and spiritually pure, and free of addictions.
Arvind Patel
