BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha


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A chronology of important dates and events in the life of
Pramukh Swami Maharaj - Shastri Narayanswarupdas

1921 to 1930
1921 7 December (Magshar sud 8, VS 1978)
Born in the village of Chansad near Vadodara, Gujarat; named Shantilal.
1929 16 May (Vaishakh sud 8, VS 1986)
Commences school.
1931 to 1940
1939 7 November (Aso vad 11, VS 1995)
Leaves home to become a sadhu.
1939 22 November (Kartik sud 11, VS 1996)
Initiation into parshad order by Shastriji Maharaj, Ahmedabad.
1940 10 January (Posh sud 1, VS 1996)
Initiated into sadhu order by Shastriji Maharaj at the Akshar Deri, Gondal; named Narayanswarupdas Swami.
1939-1946 Sanskrit studies, vicharan with Shastriji Maharaj, various services in the mandirs.
1941 to 1950
1943 Construction work of new mandir in Atladra.
1946-1950 Kothari of BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir, Sarangpur.
1950 21 May (Jeth sud 4, VS 2006)
Appointed as Pramukh (President) of Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) by Shastriji Maharaj, Ahmedabad.
1951 to 1960
1951 10 May (Vaishakh sud 4, VS 2007)
In Sarangpur, Shastriji Maharaj returns to Akshardham.
Yogiji Maharaj becomes spiritual guru of BAPS.
1953 23 November to 18 December
Shastriji Maharaj Special Memorial Train Yatra to North India with Yogiji Maharaj.
1959 24 October to 3 July 1960
Overseas Satsang Tour to East Africa with Yogiji Maharaj.
1961 to 1970
1961 12 May
Kalash Mahotsav, BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir, Gadhada. Yogiji Maharaj initiates 51 youths into the sadhu order.
1965 6 February
Shastriji Maharaj’s Birth Centenary Celebrations, Atladra.
1967 4 May
Yogiji Maharaj’s Amrut Mahotsav (75th birthday celebrations), Gondal.
1968 27 November
Pramukh Swami’s 48th birthday celebrated in presence of Yogiji Maharaj, Mumbai.
1969 22 April
Murti-pratishtha in BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir, Bhadra by Yogiji Maharaj.
1970 5 February to 7 July
Overseas Satsang Tour to East Africa and the UK with Yogiji Maharaj.
1971 to 1980
1971 23 January (Posh vad 11, VS 2027)
In Mumbai, Yogiji Maharaj returns to Akshardham; cremation rites in Gondal.
Pramukh Swami Maharaj becomes spiritual guru of BAPS.
1971 4 June (Jeth sud 11, VS 2027)
Murti-pratishtha of BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir, Sankari.
1972 8 July
Launch of annual Satsang Examinations.
1973 3 December
Kalash Mahotsav, Ahmedabad; initiation of 56 youths into sadhu order.
1974 29 March to 3 January 1975
Third overseas Satsang Tour: Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, UK, USA, Canada, South Africa, Mauritius.
1974 4 August
Murti-pratishtha of BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir, New York.
1975 19 October
Inauguration of Yogi Smruti Mandir, Gondal.
1977 4 June to 3 February 1978
Fourth overseas Satsang Tour: UK, USA, Canada, S. Africa, Kenya, Tanzania
Mandirs consecrated in Leicester, Wellingborough, Ashton, New York, Dar-es-Salaam, Mwanza.
1979 3 to 5 May
Fifth overseas Satsang Tour: Nepal.
1980 7 May to 11 December
Sixth overseas Satsang Tour: Kenya, Tanzania, UK, USA, Canada, Africa.
1981 to 1990
1980 September
Cataract operation, Boston.
1981 7 March to 13 April
Bhagwan Swaminarayan Birth Bicentenary Celebrations, Ahmedabad; 37-day festival. Initiation of 207 youths into sadhu- and parshad-order.
1981 19 April
Inauguration of Yagnapurush Smruti Mandir, Sarangpur.
1981 8 September
Gall bladder operation, Bombay.
1982 18 to 25 March
Seventh overseas Satsang Tour: United Arab Emirates.
1982 31 March to 29 April
Eighth overseas Satsang Tour: UK; Opening of new hari mandir in Neasden, London.
1983 5 February
Pramukh Swami Maharaj, aged 62, suffers heart attack, Sundalpura.
1983 12 December
Murti-pratishtha of BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir, Mumbai.
1984 23 March to 4 October
Ninth overseas Satsang Tour: Kenya, UK, Italy, Belgium, Holland, Portugal, USA, Canada, Fiji, Australia, Japan, Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore.
Mandirs consecrated in Preston (UK), Chicago and Los Angeles.
1984 7 April 1984
Meeting with Pope John Paul II, Vatican City.
1985 20 March to 14 April
10th overseas Satsang Tour: United Arab Emirates.
1985 10 July to 22 August
11th overseas Satsang Tour: UK; Cultural Festival of India, Alexandra Park, London (16 July to 18 August).
1985 20 July
Pramukh Swami Maharaj honoured in Suvarna Tula Mahotsav, QPR Stadium, London.
1985 22 October to 19 December
Aksharbrahman Gunatitanand Swami Birth Bicentenary Celebrations, Ahmedabad. Initiation of 200 youths into sadhu- and parshad-order.
1987-1988 Cattle camps and famine relief activities in Gujarat.
1988 7 April to 12 January 1989
Twelveth overseas Satsang Tour: UK, France, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, Austria, West Germany, Sweden, Norway, USA, Canada, Trinidad, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, South Africa, Mauritius.
Pramukh Swami Maharaj honoured in British and Canadian parliaments.
Mandirs consecrated in Atlanta and Houston.
1989 22 to 26 May
International Children’s Convention (Adhiveshan), Vidyanagar; 15,000 children participated.
1990 22 to 26 May
International Youth Convention (Adhiveshan), Vidyanagar; 21,000 youths participated.
1990 14 June to 12 November
Thirteenth overseas Satsang Tour: UK, USA, Canada. Mandirs consecrated in Boston, Toronto, Birmingham (UK).
1991 to 2000
1991 8 June to 18 October
Fourteenth overseas Satsang Tour: UK, USA, Canada, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, South Africa. Mandirs consecrated in Edison, Eldoret, Kampala, Jinja, Johannesburg.
1991 12 July to 11 August
Cultural Festival of India, Edison, New Jersey, USA; Over 1 million visitors.
1991 20 July
Pramukh Swami Maharaj honoured in Platinum Tula Mahotsav, Edison, New Jersey.
1992 30 August
Inauguration of The Swaminarayan Independent Day School, Neasden, London.
1992 30 October to 2 December
Yogiji Maharaj’s Birth Centenary Celebrations, Gandhinagar. Initiation of 125 youths into sadhu- and parshad-order.
1992 2 November (Kartik vad 8, VS 2049)
Inauguration of Swaminarayan Akshardham, Gandhinagar.
1993-1994 Relief and rehabilitation activities following earthquake in Latur, Maharashtra.
1994 29 April to 1 October
Fifteenth overseas Satsang Tour: UK, USA, Canada, Sweden, Czech Republic, Kenya. Mandirs consecrated in Orlando, Dallas, San Jose.
1994 8 to 16 October
International Youth Volunteers Convention, Vidyanagar.
1994 10 December
Murti-pratishtha of BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir, Mahesana.
1995 15 July to 31 October
Sixteenth overseas Satsang Tour: UK, Kenya, France, Germany, South Africa.
1995 20 August
Murti-pratishtha of BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir, Neasden, London.
1995 25 November to 31 December
Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s Amrut Mahotsav (75th birthday celebrations), Mumbai.
1996 18 June to 6 November
17th overseas Satsang Tour: USA, UK, Pacific, Far East – Adhiveshan at Catskill
1996 7 December (Kartik vad 12, VS 2053)
Murti-pratishtha of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Surendranagar.
 1996 16 December (Magshar sud 6, VS 2053)
Murti-pratishtha of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Surat.
1997 27 March to 25 April
18th overseas Satsang Tour: Gulf Countries.
1997 21 October to 11 November
19th overseas Satsang Tour: UK.
1997 9 November
Received at St. James’ Palace by HRH Prince Charles, The Prince of Wales.
1997 10 November
Welcomed at Buckingham Palace by HRH Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh.
1997 21 December (Magshar vad 7, VS 2054)
Murti-pratishtha of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Navsari.
1998 22 February (Maha vad 11, VS 2054)
Murti-pratishtha of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Nadiad.
1998 4 July to 8 November
20th overseas Satsang Tour: USA, UK, Africa.
1998 7 July
Swamishri undergoes heart bypass surgery, New York, USA.
1998 26 November (Magshar sud 7, VS 2055)
Murti-pratishtha of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Rajkot.
1999 22 January (Maha sud 5, VS 2055)
Murti-pratishtha of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Mahelav.
1999 31 July to 21 October
21st overseas Satsang Tour: Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, South Africa, Israel, Egypt. Mandir consecrated in Durban, South Africa.
1999 29 August (Shravan vad 3, VS 2055)
Murti-pratishtha of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Nairobi.
1999 15 December (Magshar sud 7, VS 2056)
Murti-pratishtha of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Tithal.
2000 9 June to 6 November
22nd overseas Satsang Tour: USA, Canada, UK, France, Portugal.
2000 8 July
Guinness World Records recognize Pramukh Swami Maharaj as having constructed the most mandirs. He 
created and consecrated 713 mandirs (temples) between April 1971 and November 2007. 
2000 29 August
Pramukh Swami Maharaj addresses the Millennium World Peace Summit of Spiritual Leaders at the United Nations, New York, USA.
2000 4 October
Meeting between Pramukh Swami Maharaj and President Bill Clinton, Florida, USA.
2000 3 December (Magshar sud 7, VS 2057)
Murti-pratishtha of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Anand.
2001 to 2010
2001 6-25 April
Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s 23rd overseas Satsang Tour: Gulf countries.
2001 18 May (Vaishakh vad 10, VS 2057)
Murti-pratishtha of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Sankari.
2001 6 June
Awarded Rotary International, Mumbai’s highest accolade ‘Service Above Self’.
2001 21 July
Pramukh Swami Maharaj and BAPS receive ‘G.D. Birla International Award for Preservation of India’s Heritage & Culture’. Presented by Vice-President of India, H.E. Krishna Kant.
2001 25 November (Kartik sud 10, VS 2058)
Murti-pratishtha of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Dholka.
2001 9 December (Kartik vad 9, VS 2058)
Murti-pratishtha of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Bharuch.
2002 7 January
Swaminarayan Mahamantra Bicentenary Celebrations, Gadhada.
2002 17 January to 26 February
24th overseas Satsang Tour: Asia-Pacific. BAPS Swaminarayan Mandirs consecrated in Perth, Sydney and Auckland.
2003 6 February (Maha sud 5, VS 2059)
Murti-pratishtha of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, New Delhi.
2004 8 February
50th anniversary of BAPS Bal Mandal. Celebration at Swaminarayan Akshardham, Gandhinagar, in the presence of Pramukh Swami Maharaj and H.E. APJ Abdul Kalam, President of India. 20,000 children attended. Broadcast live to over 150 countries.
2004 23 April to 29 October
25th overseas Satsang Tour: UK, USA, Canada, Africa. Hari mandirs consecrated in Lenasia, South Africa and Gabarone, Botswana.
2004 25 July (Adhik Shravan sud 8, VS 2060)
Murti-pratishtha of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Houston.
2004 8 August (Adhik Shravan vad 8, VS 2060)
Murti-pratishtha of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Chicago.
2005 5 October (Aso sud 3, VS 2061)
Murti-pratishtha of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Jaipur.
2005 6 November (Kartik sud 5, VS 2062)
Public opening of Swaminarayan Akshardham, New Delhi, by Pramukh Swami Maharaj, H.E. President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, Prime Minister Shri Manmohan Singh, Opposition Leader Shri L.K. Advani and Lt. Governor of Delhi Shri B.L. Joshi.
2006 3 May (Vaishakh sud 6, VS 2062)
Murti-pratishtha of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Junagadh.
2006 19 May (Vaishakh vad 7, VS 2062)
Murti-pratishtha of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Bhavnagar.
2006 18 October to 18 November
26th overseas Satsang Tour: UK.
2007 7 May to 16 October
27th overseas Satsang tour: East Africa, USA, Canada, UK.
2007 22 July (Ashadh sud 8, VS 2063)
Murti-pratishtha of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Toronto, Canada.
2007 26 August (Shravan sud 13, VS 2063)
Murti-pratishtha of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Atlanta.
2007 15 September (Bhadarva sud 4, V.S. 2063)
Pramukh Swami Maharaj performs murti-pratishtha rituals of murtis for BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Chino Hills.
2007 13-17 December
Grand finale of BAPS Centenary Celebrations, Ahmedabad.
2008 23 April (Chaitra vad 3, VS 2064)
Pramukh Swami Maharaj initiates 30 youths as parshads and 20 parshads as sadhus, Sarangpur.
2008 6 December (Magshar sud 8, VS 2065)
Swamishri’s 88th Birthday Celebration, Tithal.
2009 25 November (Magshar sud 8, VS 2066)
89th Birthday Celebration, Bochasan.
2009 31 December (Posh sud 15, VS 2065)
Aksharbrahman Gunatitanand Swami Diksha Bicentenary Celebration, Dabhan.
2010 10 March (Chaitra sud 6, VS 2066)
Pramukh Swami Maharaj initiates 21 youths into the parshad-order and ordains 21 parshads into the sadhu-order, Sarangpur, India.
2010 3 April (Chaitra vad 5, VS 2066)
Inauguration of Satchitanand Water Show, Gandhinagar.
2010 19 May (Vaishakh sud 6, VS 2066)
Murti-pratishtha of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Bhadra.
2010 28 May (Vaishakh vad 1, VS 2066)
Murti-pratishtha of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Limbdi.
2010 4 July (Jeth vad 7, VS 2066 )
Swamishri inaugurates the ‘BAPS Swaminarayan Research Institute’, New Delhi.
2010 10 July (Jeth vad 13, VS 2066)
Swamishri performs first arti of the 30-foot high murti of Neelkanth Varni, New Delhi.
2010 13 July (Ashadh sud 2, VS 2066)
Swamishri performs the inaugural rituals of the new garbhagruh of Swaminarayan Akshardham, New Delhi.
2010 13 December (Magshar sud 8, VS 2067)
Swamishri’s 90th Birthday Celebration, Mumbai.
2011 to 2020
2011 12 March (Fagan sud 7,VS 2067)
Swamishri performs the murti-pratishtha rituals of the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandirs in Godhra and Bodeli.
2011 25 March (Fagan vad 7,VS 2067)
Pramukh Swami Maharaj initiates 23 youths into the parshad-order, Sarangpur, Gujarat, India.
2011 4 April (Chaitra sud 1,VS 2067)
Pramukh Swami Maharaj ordains 23 par-shads into the sadhu-order, Sarangpur, Gu-jarat, India.
2011 31 August (Bhadarva sud 3, VS 2068)
In Mumbai, Swamishri performs shilapujan for the Mahamandir at Swaminarayan Akshardham, Robbinsville, USA.
2011 2 December (Magshar sud 8, VS 2068)
Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s 91st Birthday Celebration, Mumbai.
2012 16/17 January (Posh vad 8/9, VS 2068)
Swamishri inaugurates the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations of BAPS Youth Activities, established by Yogiji Maharaj in 1952.
2012 5 June (Jeth vad 1, VS 2068)
Swamishri inaugurates ‘Akhil Bhartiya Yuva Adhiveshan’ in Sarangpur, as part of the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations of BAPS Youth Activities.
2012 15 June (Jeth vad 11, VS 2068)
Swamishri has pacemaker implant, Ahmedabad.
2012 5 July (Ashadh vad 2, VS 2068)
In Ahmedabad, Swamishri performs murti-pratishtha of murtis for BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India.
2012 22 July (Shravan sud 3, VS 2068)
In Ahmedabad, Swamishri performs murti-pratishtha of murtis for BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Robbinsville, NJ, USA.
2013 4 January (Magshar vad 7, VS 2069)
Swamishri blesses Golden Anniversary Celebration of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Ahmedabad.
2013 6 January (Magshar vad 9, VS 2069)
Swamishri blesses celebration of BAPS Youth Activities Diamond Jubilee, in Ahmedabad.
2013 7 February (Shravan sud 3, VS 2069)
In Ahmedabad, Swamishri performs murti-pratishtha of murtis for BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Silvassa, Gujarat, India.
2013 15 March (Fagan sud 4, VS 2069)
In Ahmedabad, Swamishri performs murti-pratishtha of murtis for BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
2013 10 April (Fagan sud 30, VS 2069)
Pramukh Swami Maharaj initiates 28 youths as parshads and 45 parshads as sadhus, Ahmedabad.
2013 10 - 13 May (Vaishakh sud 1-3, VS 2069)
Murti-pratishtha celebrations of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Silvassa, Gujarat, India
2013 10 July (Ashadh sud 2, VS 2069)
In Sarangpur, Pramukh Swami Maharaj performs murti-pratishtha of murtis for BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Himmatnagar, Gujarat, India.
2013 5-7 October (Aso sud 1-3, VS 2069)
Murti-pratishtha celebrations of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India.
2013 16 October (Aso sud 12, VS 2069)
Pramukh Swami Maharaj performs murti-pratishtha rituals in Guru Parampara shrines at Shri Yagnapurush Smruti Mandir, Sarangpur, India.
2013 9-12 December (Magshar sud 7-12, VS 2070)
Murti-pratishtha celebrations of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Himmatnagar, Gujarat, India.
2013 10 December (Magshar sud 8, VS 2070)
Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s 93rd Birthday Celebration, Sarangpur, Gujarat, India.
2014 10 January (Posh vad 1, VS 2070)
Pramukh Swami Maharaj initiates 28 youths as parshads, Sarangpur.
2014 17 January (Magshar sud 1, VS 2070)
Pramukh Swami Maharaj performs pratishtha rituals of murtis for new shikharbaddha BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Jamnagar, Gujarat, India.
2014 20 January (Posh vad 4, VS 2070)
In Sarangpur, Pramukh Swami Maharaj performs pratishtha rituals of murtis for new shikharbaddha BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Mahuva, Gujarat, India.
2014 31 January to 2 February (Maha sud 1 - 3, VS 2070)
Murti-pratishtha celebrations of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
2014 15-17 February (Maha vad 1 - 2, VS 2070)
Murti-pratishtha celebrations of new shikharbaddha BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Mahuva, Gujarat, India.
2014 18 February (Maha vad 3, VS 2070)
Pramukh Swami Maharaj inaugurates redesigned BAPS Charities website, www.BAPSCharities.org, Sarangpur, India
2014 21-23 February (Maha vad 6-9, VS 2070)
Murti-pratishtha celebrations of new shikharbaddha BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Jamnagar, Gujarat, India.
2014 25 March (Fagan vad 9, VS 2070)
Pramukh Swami Maharaj initiates 28 youths as parshads, Sarangpur, Gujarat, India.
2014 8 April (Chaitra sud 9, VS 2070)
Pramukh Swami Maharaj initiates a youth into the parshad order, Sarangpur.
2014 10 August (Shravan sud 15, VS 2070)
Pramukh Swami Maharaj performs murti-pratishtha of new shikharbaddha BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Robbinsville, NJ, USA.
2014 15 August (Shravan vad 6, VS 2070)
Pramukh Swami Maharaj performs the Bhumital Pujan ceremony of Swaminarayan Akshardham Mahamandir in Robbinsville, NJ, USA.
2014 30 November
Pramukh Swami Maharaj sanctified the first pillar for the shikharbaddha BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Pune, Maharashtra.
2014 15 December
Pramukh Swami Maharaj performs the murti-pratishtha rituals of the murtis for the shikharbaddha BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Dhari, the birthplace of Brahmaswarup Yogiji Maharaj.
2015 20 June, Sarangpur
Former President of India, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, presents his book ‘Transcendence: My Spiritual Experiences with Pramukh Swamiji’ to Swamishri.
2015 6 August
Pramukh Swami Maharaj performs the murti-pratishtha rituals of the murtis for the shikharbaddha BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Dhule, Maharashtra.
2015 22 October
Pramukh Swami Maharaj performs shila pujan ceremony for the new shikharbaddha BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Nadiad.
2016 3 to 13 May 2016
The centenary celebrations of BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir, Sarangpur, was celebrated in Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s presence.
2016 12 May
Pramukh Swami Maharaj performed the maha-abhishek and 100th patotsav arti of the murtis in the main mandir.
2016 13 May
Pramukh Swami Maharaj blessed the centenary celebrations assembly in Sarangpur.
2016 13 August
Pramukh Swami Maharaj left his mortal body.
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