Silver Jubilee Celebrations of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Rajkot, India

A series of celebratory events were held to conclude the year-long celebrations of the 25th anniversary of the BAPS Mandir in Rajkot.

Over 2,000 yuvaks and yuvatis on motorbikes and mopeds participated in this 30 km procession to raise awareness of the essential role mandirs play in sustaining the social fabric of society and inspiring morality in the lives of all.
The procession was flagged off from the Racecourse Grounds by BAPS swamis, local dignitaries and representatives of local organizations.
The procession also promoted the messages of freeing Rajkot from the perils and problems of addictions and corruption, and creating a healthy and clean city.
Decorated mandir and kalash floats were also a part of the procession.

Women devotees from the suburbs of Rajkot participated in the Kalash Yatra by carrying kalashes filled with water from 465 sacred water bodies from around the world. The women devotees carried the sacred water-filled kalashes in traditional style on their heads and walked to the BAPS Mandir in Rajkot from their suburbs.
At the mandir, a grand assembly was held.
The water they brought was used to perform Thakorji’s abhishek.

In the morning, senior swamis and devotees performed the Vedic mahapuja of the kalashes filled with water from numerous sacred water bodies.

Over 7,000 devotees participated in the 7 km padyatra, which began and concluded at the BAPS mandir. The padyatra included beautifully decorated floats, the murti of Bhagwan Swaminarayan honored on an elephant, the Akshar Pipe Band from Gondal, traditionally attired children, teenagers, youths, men and women, dancing youths, devotees carrying placards with inspiring messages and many other celebratory elements.

A wonderful ‘Mandiram’ light and sound show accompanied by live performances depicted the role, glory and contributions of mandirs in the Hindu tradition.
The show concluded with samuh arti.

Using water sanctified by Mahant Swami Maharaj, the mandirs 25th patotsav was commemorated by performing the pujan and abhishek of the murtis by senior swamis.
Thereafter, in the presence of Narayanmuni Swami and Brahmatirth Swami, devotees participated in the patotsav mahapuja ceremony.

Thousands of devotees attended the concluding assembly celebrating the silver jubilee of the BAPS Mandir in Rajkot.