Union Home Minister of India, Shri Amit Shah, visited the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir at 10.15 a.m. to receive the blessings of Param Pujya Mahant Swami Maharaj.
The Home Minister was warmly welcomed at the main gate of the mandir by Brahmavihari Swami and Kothari Atmakirti Swami.
Thereafter, Shri Amit Shah was garlanded and welcomed by Mahant Swami Maharaj in the presence of Pujya Ishwarcharan Swami and other senior BAPS swamis.
Then, prayers for national peace and harmony were offered by recital of the Vedic Shanti Path. Afterwards, Shri Amit Shah performed the pujan of Shri Harikrishna Maharaj and Param Pujya Mahant Swami Maharaj. Swamishri blessed Shri Amit Shah by applying a chandlo to his forehead. Then, Swamishri tied the nadachhadi to the wrist of Shri Amit Shah, praying for the protection of all. The sadhus also recited special Mahamrutunjay Mantras as Swamishri showered him with sanctified rice grains and blessed him to lead the nation, saying, “May both you and our beloved Prime Minister continue to unite our nation and its people to create a new India. May you attain the progress of 20 years in the next 5 years.” While Shri Amit Shah fondly and emotionally remembered His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, Swamishri presented him a special holy relic of Pramukh Swami Maharaj along with a rosary. Also, to commemorate today’s auspicious Rathyatra celebration, Swamishri presented Shri Amit Shah with a model of Bhagwan Swaminarayan on his horse, Rojho, and blessed, “May India gallop towards progress in leaps and bounds.”