Tens of thousands of devotees and well-wishers attended the grand Suvarna Mahotsav celebration assembly at Sardar Patel Stadium, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad, to mark the 50th anniversary of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Shahibaug, Ahmedabad.
Brahmaswarup Shastriji Maharaj had wished to build a mandir in Ahmedabad. For this, he acquired a small plot of land, which had been sanctified by Bhagwan Swaminarayan on the outskirts of the city at a short distance from the historic Delhi Gate. Subsequently, the land was developed and in 1962, Brahmaswarup Yogiji Maharaj consecrated a grand shikharbaddha mandir there. Since then, over the past 50 years, the mandir has served society through its various spiritual, social and cultural activities.
The evening celebration assembly traced the history and impact of Swaminarayan Satsang in Ahmedabad from the time of Bhagwan Swaminarayan to the present day through skits, traditional dances, audio-visual presentations and speeches. Pujya Mahant Swami, Pujya Doctor Swami, Pujya Tyagvallabh Swami, Pujya Ishwarcharan Swami and Pujya Viveksagar Swami presided over the assembly. Over 800 children, youths and elders participated in the presentations, which commemorated the uplifting effect of the mandir on individuals, families and the society. The event was webcast live on live.baps.org.
The delightful, artistic stage settings added charm to the occasion. The celebration concluded with everyone collectively performing arti.