His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, the spiritual head of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, was welcomed to Robbinsville, New Jersey, by devotees and volunteers from all across North America with much emotion and joy. The “Festival of Inspirations,” a series of formal festivities for invited visitors planned under the direction of “Akshardham Mahotsav,” officially began when he arrived, which was reason for jubilation.
The BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham campus is an iconic example of Hindu art, architecture, and culture. It has a stone Hindu mandir, a traditional stepwell, a welcome center, and the still-under-construction Akshardham Mahamandir and Museum.
With a floral wreath and the customary nada-chhadi (holy thread), Mahant Swami Maharaj was welcomed at the campus entrance. At the newly opened landmark location that Pramukh Swami Maharaj had consecrated in 2014, David Fried, the mayor of Robbinsville, New Jersey, welcomed Mahant Swami Maharaj with customary rites. Swamishri paid the highest level of veneration to the towering 49-foot figure of Nilkanth Varni at the Nilkanth Vatika as he walked through the campus, meeting devotees with his hands folded in humility. The 80-foot floral garland was intricately crafted by volunteers and devotees of all ages for the welcome ritual. After being showered with flower petals at the main entrance, Mahant Swami Maharaj paused to take it all in.
Mahant Swami Maharaj arrived at the Mayur Dwar about an hour after setting out, when he was met by a crowd of worshippers and sparkler fountains. Swamishri marveled at the grandeur of the Akshardham Mahamandir as it was first revealed in its construction, and everyone in the room felt the light of their beloved guru against the Mahamandir’s backdrop. “What all of you have done is truly remarkable,” Mahant Swami Maharaj said in blessing the volunteers assembled in front of him. Keep up the virtues of cooperation and solidarity for continuing spiritual progress. The devotees and helpers will always remember these remarks.
The Festival of Inspirations is a collection of rituals, activities, and ceremonies that are all intended to showcase the ethical, spiritual, and moral principles that Akshardham will uphold. For pre-registered participants, a big Vedic yagna ceremony will present a once-in-a-lifetime chance to pray for world peace as well as personal tranquility. Children will get the opportunity to take part in ancient Hindu rites through a special Bal-Yagna, which will take place. The celebration will also contribute to spreading across the world’s population Hindu messages of harmony, peace, and unity.
The schedule of webcast events will be available at https://na.baps.org. Please visit baps.org/robbinsville for daily campus timings.
