Grand Celebration of Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s 98th Birthday in Mumbai
Over 60,000 devotees, well-wishers, and invited guests, 750 BAPS Swamis, and 10,000 volunteers witnessed a spectacular 98th birthday celebration of Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the fifth spiritual successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan at the D.Y. Patil Stadium, Nerul, New Mumbai, India.
The Dec. 4 celebration featured the contemporary challenges society faces and the solutions provided by Pramukh Swami Maharaj (1921–2016). Swamiji’s life and Herculean spiritual and philanthropic works guided countless individuals throughout the globe away from the vice-grip of addictions and depression, acts of violence and family disharmony, perils of ego and aggression, and inspired faith in God as the lasting solution to all these societal and personal ills.
The stage program involved performances by 3,000 children and youths, video presentations, devotional songs, traditional dances, testimonials, and speeches by senior Swamis and dignitaries.
India’s Home Minister Amit Shah shared his sentiments on Pramukh Swami Maharaj based upon his many personal interactions with Swami. “Pramukh Swami Maharaj was a great spiritual giant who spread India’s glorious spiritual and cultural heritage through the 1,100 mandirs he built worldwide and by initiating 1,000 youths into the saffron order. His peaceful and inspiring personality touched all. In his presence, one’s worries and burdens got dissolved. He strived for the benefit of all, regardless of gender, race, or religion. Today, he lives through his works like Akshardham and the wide spectrum of social services he initiated. Furthermore, we experience his presence through his successor, HH Mahant Swami Maharaj, who is taking his spiritual legacy forward by his tireless efforts.”
At the conclusion of the event, the current spiritual leader of BAPS, Mahant Swami Maharaj, blessed those in attendance, “Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s credo was, ‘In the joy of others lies our own.’ Swamiji lived these sentiments 24 hours daily. He strived for the good of others and never cared for his own physical body. Pramukh Swami’s humility was monumental! He possessed many other countless virtues, and yet, to be egoless is a great thing. All who came in his contact were touched by his humility. May we live his words and become a receptacle of his virtues.”
The celebration witnessed a maha arti performed in unison by all in attendance.
Under the auspices of the year-long 98th birthday celebration of Pramukh Swami Maharaj in Mumbai, BAPS volunteers of Swaminarayan Mandir, Dadar, conducted various social welfare programs. Children, youths, and volunteers conducted anti-addiction drives during their visits to 125,000 homes. Spiritual assemblies in the suburbs of Mumbai were organized to impart Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s motto, ‘In the joy of others lies our own.’
Since 2017, Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s birth anniversary celebrations have conveyed his exemplary life and inspired thousands to lead a pure and spiritual life. The grand finale Centenary Celebration of Pramukh Swami Maharaj will be held in Ahmedabad in 2021.
