Bhadara
Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (BAPS)
Bhadara, Via Jodia,
Ta. Jodia, Dt. Jamnagar,
Gujarat, INDIA - 361250
Tel: (02893) 222028, 222175
Fax: (02893) 222175

Location
Bhadara is a small village, near Port Jodiya in the Jamnagar District of Gujarat.
Opening
By Yogiji Maharaj in April 1969.

Images
Dham, Dhami, Mukta

Information
The old Swaminarayan mandir in the village has been built at the site of Vashram Suthar's home, where Lord Swaminarayan stayed during his visits to Bhadara.

Due to its importance as the birthplace of Gunatitanand Swami, the village has been renamed Gunatitnagar.

Significance
Whenever Purushottam (God) descends on this earth, He is accompanied by Akshar Brahman - His Divine Abode, personified - to help Him in His mission of redeeming countless souls.

Purushottam manifested in the form of Lord Swaminarayan, born in Chhapaiya in 1781. Akshar Brahman manifested in the form of Gunatitanand Swami, born on Sharad Purnima in 1785 in the humble surroundings of a small mud hut in the tiny village of Bhadara.

Lord Swaminarayan came to Bhadara 26 times and often explained the greatness of Mulji Sharma (Gunatitanand Swami's childhood name): "The scriptures describe the glory of Brahman or Akshar Brahman - that Akshar Brahman is none other than this Mulji - He is My Divine Abode - wherever I am, he is and where he is, I am."

At Bhadara, Lord Swaminarayan often bathed in the River Und. He would climb up the large banyan tree and dive into the cool waters of the river below. In 1804, Lord Swaminarayan accompanied by Mulji and other devotees crossed the entire length of the river, seated only on a coarse cloth.

In 1809, whilst Mulji was working in his field, the Lord gave him divine darshan, instructing him to renounce the world to fulfil their mission of emancipating numerous souls. Without a moment's delay, Mulji left Bhadara, never to return. He headed straight for Gadhada to meet his Lord who subsequently initiated him as a saint in Dabhan in 1810, renaming him Gunatitanand. He was later appointed as the Mahant of Junagadh mandir by Lord Swaminarayan. He held that position for 40 years prior to passing away in Gondal in 1867.

History
With the inspiration of Shastriji Maharaj, devotees procured the land around the house of Mulji Sharma and erected a small edifice with the footprints of Lord Swaminarayan on the very birthspot of Gunatitanand Swami.

Yogiji Maharaj visited Bhadara with devotees to celebrate festivals. He later constructed a one-spired mandir over the birthspot and installed marble deities on the first floor of the mandir.