His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, consecrating the murti of Aksharbrahma Gunatitanand Swami is a fulfillment of the inner wish of Brahmaswarup Yogiji Maharaj. Reflecting on his guru's sentiments, Mahant Swami Maharaj explained that "Regardless of wherever Maharaj [Bhagwan Swaminarayan] resides, Swami [Gunatitanand Swami] is always with him. Therefore, by placing the murti of Aksharbrahma Gunatitanand Swami alongside Bhagwan Swaminarayan, he has ensured that their eternal bond remains unbroken."
In celebration of this momentous occasion, hundreds of devotees from the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Los Angeles, CA gathered on Sunday, April 2, 2023 to welcome Shri Akshar-Purushottam Maharaj. Festivities began with performing rituals for Shri Swaminarayan Mahapuja amidst the auspicious chanting of Vedic mantras. Thereafter, devotees offered prayers in the form of Abhishek, the pouring of sanctified, fragrant water over the sacred images.
Shri Akshar-Purushottam Maharaj was then celebrated through a vibrant and colorful palkhi yatra, and a procession around the Mandir. Devotees in vibrant traditional indian attire participated in dances while singing devotional bhajans, waving flags and showering flowers. As the procession made its way toward the assembly hall, hundreds of devotees lovingly carried the palkhi carrying Shri Akshar-Purshottam murtis, adding to the festive atmosphere.
Following the procession, devotees gathered for a special weekly Sunday assembly with a series of video presentations and discourses from Pujya Swamis who elaborated upon the divine life and noble works of Gunatitanand Swami. The assembly was also addressed by Mahant Swami Maharaj, who highlighted the spiritual significance of the Vedic Akshar-Purushottam philosophy. The culmination of the celebrations was the family Tula ceremony where devotees offered their utmost prayers and devotion for Shri Akshar-Purushottam Maharaj.
The celebration of the Akshar-Purushottam Vadhamana was a joyous occasion filled with devotion, ceremony, and vibrant festivities.