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The BAPS centenary year is an opportunity for us all to offer our devotion to Bhagwan Swaminarayan and our guru parampara by undertaking one or more of the special observances specified by Pramukh Swami Maharaj.
Please Note:
1. A total of 14 observances have been specified, of which any number from the 11 mentioned are to be observed individually and 3 are to be observed on a mass level in mandals.
2. The observances undertaken should be sincerely observed throughout the year.
The special observances are:


1. Mantra Lekhan

  • Writing the Swaminarayan mantra in the specially printed mantra notebooks.
  • Each notebook has space for 25,200 mantras. So, this is the minimum one should undertake.
  • Undertake to write more if your schedule permits.

2. Jap Anushthan

  • Jap is chanting of the Swaminarayan mantra.
  • One anushthan = chanting the Swaminarayan mantra 125,000 times while turning the mala.
  • If one does 51 malas daily, it will take 25 days to complete one anushthan.
  • One can undertake to offer 5, 11, 21, etc. anushthans. The number of malas to be turned daily can be adjusted accordingly.
  • These malas are in addition to what one normally turns in daily puja.

3. Mantra Purushcharan

  • The ‘Swaminarayan’ mantra comprises six syllables:?Swa-mi-na-ra-ya-n.
  • One purashcharan = chanting of a mantra 100,000 times, multiplied by the number of syllables in the mantra. So, for the Swaminarayan mantra, chanting the mantra 600,000 times is equal to one purashcharan.
  • Thus, for the Swaminarayan mantra,
    1 purashcharan = 5.25 anushthans, approx.
  • Only undertake one observance from 2 and 3.

4. Recitation of Janmangal Namavali

  • The Janmangal Namavali is the 108 holy names of Bhagwan Swaminarayan.
  • One recital of the Janmangal Namavali takes between 5 to 7 minutes.
  • Resolve to complete a certain number of recitals in the course of the year.

5. Dandvats (Prostrations)

  • In addition to the dandvats offered in one’s daily puja, you can undertake to offer 5, 11, 21, etc. more every day.
  • These extra dandvats may be performed in one’s puja, ghar mandir or local mandir.

6. Pradakshina (Circumambulation)

  • In addition to the pradakshinas performed in one’s daily puja, undertake to offer 5, 11, 21, etc. more every day.
  • These extra pradakshinas may be performed in one’s puja, ghar mandir or local mandir.

7. Reading: Shastriji Maharaj Jivan Charitra, Parts 1 & 2

8. Reading: Likhitan Shastri Yagnapurushdas, Parts 1 & 2

  • Observances of 7 and 8 are essential for all BAPS devotees to gain detailed knowledge of the Sanstha’s history and philosophy. Reading these books will give an understanding of the difficult circumstances faced by Shastriji Maharaj and generate pride for the Sanstha.
  • One should undertake to read both sets of books at least once in the centenary year.

9. Mansi Puja

  • As per the Swaminarayan Sampraday’s tradition, mansi puja is performed five times daily: (1) in morning puja, (2) at lunchtime, (3) at 4.00 pm, (4) after evening arti and (5) at bedtime.
  • As per one’s daily schedule, undertake to perform 2, 3 or 5 mansi pujas every day.
  • Mansi puja can be performed in the home, place of work or even while travelling.

10. Antardrashti (Introspection)

  • What is antardrashti? In Vachanamrut Gadhada III-30, Bhagwan Swaminarayan instructs all devotees to be constantly vigilant of the following three things: (1) at any time we will have to leave this physical body, (2) for our moksha, we have done certain things, yet, what remains to be done? , (3) has the desire for worldly pleasures been eradicated from our mind?
  • Also, Gunatitanand Swami points out in his talks (2-35), “Always introspect during every task and ask yourself, ‘I want to worship God and what am I doing?’ keep thinking like this.”
  • To contemplate on these words and to adjust one’s life accordingly is antardrashti.
  • One should sit in a quiet place to perform antardrashti.
  • A minimum of 3 minutes should be spent in antardrashti daily.

11. Thinking of One’s Prapti (Spiritual Attainment)
One should contemplate on one’s prapti as follows:

  • It is my great fortune to have attained Bhagwan Swaminarayan and his God-realized Satpurush, Pramukh Swami Maharaj.
  • That God and guru who I want to attain after passing away, have been attained in this life.
  • I am fortunate and have been liberated.
  • With this body, at any cost, under any circumstances I definitely want to please Maharaj and Swami.
  • In addition, one may contemplate on one’s attainment as described in the Vachanamrut and Swamini Vato.
  • A minimum of 5 minutes should be spent daily thinking of one’s prapti.

12. Prabhat Feri (Morning Procession)

  • Every month, on the morning of sud 5, all devotees of the local mandal should participate in the prabhat feri through one’s neighbourhood.
  • Dhun and bhajans should be sung during the procession.

13. Akhand Dhun (Chanting of God’s Name)

  • Every three months all devotees of the local mandal should gather in the local mandir, or other suitable location, and sing dhun for 3 hours.
  • The date and time should be fixed and announced in advance so that all can attend.

14. Pad Yatra (Pilgrimage by Foot)

  • Once in the centenary year, devotees should arrange to collectively walk to their nearest shikharbaddh mandir.
  • Dhun and bhajan should be sung while walking.
  • Devotees should resolve to participate in observances 12 to 14.