BAPS Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS)

Revealed by Bhagwan Swaminarayan in 1801,
Founded by Brahmaswarup Shastriji Maharaj in 1907,
Nurtured by Brahmaswarup Yogiji Maharaj,
Guided by HDH Pramukh Swami Maharaj,

is an international socio-spiritual, voluntary NGO affiliated with the United Nations.
It performs wide-ranging humanitarian activities through a worldwide network of
more than 3,300 centers, 700 mandirs, 780 sadhus, 55,000 volunteers and a million members.

The year-long centenary celebrations will culminate in an exquisite, four-day public festival held on 13, 14, 15 & 17 December. Organized by a force of 14,000 full-time volunteers, the festival will take place on a 300-acre site in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.

Intricately carved entrance gates, lush gardens and beautiful landscapes will adorn the festival grounds by day. Majestic displays of fireworks will light the sky by night. The festival will bring together in prayer more than half a million people from around the world through touching displays of celebration and moral, cultural and spiritual value.

Broadcast live around the world, the festival will showcase an array of unique and colourful programmes presented by more than 3,300 performers spread across a stage spanning 350 feet.

PROGRAMME OVERVIEW
Time : 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm (Indian Standard Time)
Date : 13, 14, 15 & 17 December 2007
Venue : Sabarmati-Gandhinagar Highway, Chandkheda, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India

LIVE-TELEVISED PROGRAMMES
13 December – Inauguration Ceremony & BAPS Youth Day
14 December – BAPS Women’s Day
15 December – BAPS Children’s Day
16 December – Re-broadcast of highlights of the past three days’ festivities
17 December – Janma Jayanti Day
(87th birthday celebrations of Pramukh Swami Maharaj) & Centenary Day
Note: Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s morning puja will be televised live from 7.30 to 8.30 am (IST) on 17 December 2007.
All the above programmes will be broadcast live on AASTHA TV Channel. Also the programmes will be re-broadcast as follows: In USA, Canada, UK – two hours after the live broadcast ends; India and elsewhere – at 11.00 pm IST
Details of the four-day celebrations are as follows:

The core values on which BAPS was founded radiate throughout the organization’s youth activities today, helping channel youths’ abundant energies towards a greater cause.

Together, more than 2,000 dedicated children and youth will present a splendid cultural program, including…

• Exquisite Folk Dances: More than 500 youths using an array of unique props and costumes will present a series of folk dances highlighting BAPS’ core values that today form the organization’s fabric.
• Touching Personal Experiences: Moving testimonials and speeches will demonstrate that BAPS, under the guidance of Pramukh Swami Maharaj, inspires values of character, social service and spirituality in the lives of youths.
• Enlightening Performances: Engaging interviews, video presentations and skits will portray BAPS’ spirit of selfless and voluntary services and the transformations it brings to countless lives.

BAPS Women’s Activities have helped women empower themselves and others to lead lives centred on spiritual values and to reach the pinnacles of success.
From as young as five to as old as 75, more than 1,300 women from around the world will come together to present:

• Traditional Prayers: More than 100 young girls will offer prayers and more than 900 young women will present a series of colourful folk dances to show the values of devotion, faith and unity BAPS has kindled in the lives of young women.
• Personal Experiences: Vivid testimonials and historical skits will highlight values, achievements and success stories to show women’s essential role in BAPS and the great heights BAPS women, young and old, have scaled.
• Inspiring Presentations: Captivating video shows and speeches will portray BAPS women contributing to society by serving as ideal mothers, noble citizens and honourable devotees.

For generations, BAPS Children’s Activities have inspired youngsters to elevate themselves and those around them, creating a more promising tomorrow.
More than 1,500 children from around the world will come together to present:

• Spectacular Parades: More than 600 children, several enormous floats and a series of skits will depict BAPS children successfully transforming lives by working to free a million people from destructive addictions.
• Vibrant Prayers: More than 100 children singing, playing instruments and dancing will showcase the wide range of talents children develop in BAPS.
• Enriching Presentations: An array of historical and cultural video shows, a series of moving testimonials and a majestic folk dance including 50 vibrant young performers will show BAPS children as ideal citizens who serve their parents and society while leading spiritual, value-centred lives.

• Innovative Presentations: A series of presentations will pay tribute to the spiritual gurus that have shaped BAPS to this day.
• Venerating Performances: Vedic mantras, shloks and elaborate folk dances by more than 600 youths will pay homage to Swamishri.
• Enlightening Experiences: Testimonials and moving speeches will explore Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s contributions to society through the spiritual ethos, “In the joy of others, in the progress of others and in the good of others lies our own.”