News of BAPS - USA & Canada - Aksharbrahman Gunatitanand Swami Jayanti & Sharad Punam Festival Celebration

10 October 2003, Friday, Boston, MA:

Boston BAPS mandir celebrated Sharad Purnima – the auspicious celebration of Shri Aksharbhrama Gunatitanand Swami's birthday. The evening program was based on the biography of Shri Gunatitanand Swami, which was performed with relevant kirtans, examples from Swami's life and a speech. Bal, Kishore and Yuvak Mandal presented melodious kirtans with relevant photo slides.

The keynote speech was focused on the verse "Hu Tamarama Akhand Rahayo Chhu…." The in-depth speech explained that Aksharbhrama Gunatitanand is "chiranjivi" and at present His divinity is felt through Pramukh Swami Maharaj.

11 October 2003, Saturday, Cleveland OH:

The Sharad Punam festival took place at the Cleveland BAPS mandir in the presence of Pujya Tyagratna Swami, Pujya Munitilak Swami, Pujya Vivekmurti Swami and Pujya Devvandan Swami. The festival program was based on the Yashgatha kirtan: “Sahajanandji Sharan Tamare Rako re”. After each stanza presentations and speeches describing events that occurred throughout Gunatitianand Swami’s life were made. Finally, the sadhus discoursed on the unique saintliness of Gunatitanand Swami and how he is here today through Pramukh Swami Maharaj.

Following the festival the ladies had their own garba session in the mandir as they had vowed not to go out for garba. After garba, Pujya Vivekmurti Swami and Pujya Santo held a night shibir with devotees to discuss how Gunatitanand Swami and the Guru Parampara maintained their aims in life.

10 October 2003, Clifton, NJ:

The Clifton BAPS Mandir celebrated its Mandir Patotsav, Vijaya Dashmi, and Akshar Jayanti festival with much exhilaration and fervor.

The festival was kicked off with a mahapuja in the presence of saints. An annakut of food items was also offered to Maharaj and Swami. Discourses by Pujya Amrutcharit Swami and Pujya Vivekyogi Swami were interspersed with many uplifting kirtans. Pujya Vivekyogi Swami spoke on the greatness of Aksharbrahma Gunatitanand Swami and how Shriji Maharaj recognized him as Aksharbrahma and brought with Him to keep the moksha marg to Akshardham on earth. “Dudha-Pauva” was offered to Thakorji.

12 October 2003, Sunday, Jersey City, NJ

The Jersey City BAPS mandal celebrated its third Patotsav and Sharad Punam festival joyfully. The whole day was filled with various programs including an Annakut where over 170 items were offered to Maharaj and Swami, and a Women’s Health Conference.

The evening celebrations were themed “Aksharbrahma Yashgatha.” Before each stanza of the Yashgatha, the MC explained the meaning with prasangs. The balaks performed a speech on Gunatitanand Swami’s childhood and a kirtan. There were also a few other kirtans of Gunatitanand Swami’s life sung by Yuvak and Vadil Mandals. Dr. K.C. Patel, the President of North America Satsang Mandal, explained the true meaning of Patotsav. Afterwards, Pujya Haridarshan Swami elaborated more on the same topic by explaining one of the Swami ni Vaato. Following the festival assembly, a grand mahapuja was performed by saints.

12 October 2003, Toronto, Canada

The Toronto BAPS center celebrated the 218th Janma Jayanti of Mul Aksharmurti Gunatitanand Swami where saffron-clad murtis of Shriji Maharaj and Gunatitanand Swami adorned the backdrop of the stage. The Yashgatha of Gunatitanand Swami was interspersed with several prasangs narrated by balaks, kishores and yuvaks providing a glimpse into the persona of Gunatitanand Swami, his ideals and his rapport with Shriji Maharaj.

In his address to the assembly, Pujya Priyavrat Swami articulated the glory of Gunatitanand Swami of how even leading and prominent paramhansas sought His guidance in order to comprehend the true glory of Shriji Maharaj. He emphasized that like Gunatitanand Swami, Pramukh Swami Maharaj continues to inspire people from all walks of life and demonstrated that Shriji Maharaj dwells today in His Gunatit Satpurush. Pujya Gnanpriya Swami explained a Swami ni Vaato.