1 February 2004, Sunday, Washington DC:
The Washington DC BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir celebrated the auspicious day of “Vasant Panchami” – a birthday of Brahmanand Swami, Nishkulanand Swami, Brahmaswarup Shastriji Maharaj, and one of the most important scripture of Swaminarayan Sampraday, the Shikshapatri. The attendees were graced with the presence of Pujya Viveknidhi Swami and Pujya Haridarshan Swami.
The evening program commenced with Dhoon, Prarthana, Kirtans, and a number of brief but highly informative speeches effectively delivered on Shastriji Maharaj’s life and the history behind the enormous Mandirs he built in incredibly difficult circumstances. Audience was captivated with an amusing Shikshapatri quiz arranged to review some of the common commandments established by Shriji Maharaj for his disciples. Pujya Viveknidhi Swami delivered the keynote speech focusing on Brahmaswarup Shastriji Maharaj’s utmost sadhuta, enormous determination, and the tremendous struggle he went through to establish “Akshar-Purushottam Upasana” and creation of astonishing Mandirs in Bochasan, Sarangpur, and Gondal. The program was concluded with Param Pujya Swamishri’s aashirwad.