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The biggest
festival of Colors – Pushpadolotsav (Fuldol) was celebrated with true
spirit in Atlanta Mandir. Entire Samaiyo was a combination of the spirit
of colors in the life through Satsang. Kirtans were sung praising the
glory of Bhagatji Maharaj who was born on the auspicious day of “Holi”
or “Fagani Punam”. A speech highlighting the true essence of color in
the life of Shriji Maharaj’s devotees was very well presented by a yuvak
Haribhakt. Another speech highlighted the same color of satsang spread
by HDH Pramukh Swami Maharaj. A kishore Haribhakt presented the modern
day influence of chatting on the youths of this generation which vividly
explained the disadvantages of it. HDH Pramukh Swami Maharaj celebrates
this festival in Sarangpur every year, and it was shown through a very
good video presentation. In the end the divine assembly sang the “fagwa”
in harmony to offer their bhakti. The stage decorations were appropriately
setting the mood of fuldol and upcoming Shilanyas Mahotsav. Everyone
was fed with tradional Mahaprasad of sweet sev commemorating the occasion
and the fagwa of “dhani and khajur”. |
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The BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir of Augusta, Georgia celebrated Phool-Dol Holi Samaiyo with a lot of excitement and enthusiasm. The Samaiyo included Dhoon, Prathna, Kirtans, and Discourses. It started promptly at 4:00 PM and ended at 6:15 PM. The Mandir was decorated to suit the occasion. The samiayo began with Manglacharan, dhoon, and prathana. Several speeches were given interspersed with uplifting kirtans. The Vadil haribhakto gave the speeches on three different areas, like Shriji Maharaj's Haribhakto, Ava Virla Kok, and Swamishri’s Haribhakto. They also narrated supporting examples that showed how these haribhakto were dedicated to and sacrificed for Shriji and Swamiji. A Yuvak haribhakt spoke on Internet chatting, and told the audience that it is bad for our kids and should stay away. Internet should only be used for research and help in assignments. The parents should be very vigilant for this disease.
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Pushpadolotsav Samaiyo was held in Boston temple. The samaiyo started with prayer to Lord Swaminarayan and Guru Parampara inviting them to the Samaiyo. The importance of the Samaiyo was explained. The atmosphere was already colorful with devoted decoration in the Sabha Hall, Stage and on the Sinhasan. With "Tu Rangai Jane Rangma..." everyone was drenched with spiritual color and it was clearly visible with the awe on haribhatos faces and their heartbeats rhyming with tabla. |
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BAPS Charlotte Mandir held festivities for Pushpadolotsav / Holi and Bhagatji Maharaj’s Birth Anniversary in the presence of Sadhu Shantmurtidas and Sadhu Amrutnandandas. The festivities began with the melodious dhoon, prarthana and devotional songs depicting the colorful and joyous spring season. It was followed by an inspiring discourse from Sadhu Shantmurtidas explaining the life and work of Bhagatji Maharaj, whose birthday in on this holy day and the significance of “Holi”. The youth group presented a heart-warming "Holi dance" welcoming the spring. Sadhu Amrutnandandas gave a speech illuminating the importance of mandir and the vivid activities carried out at the Mandir by the Youth and Children. The Samiyo also included a video presentation of the Fuldol celebration held in Sarangpur in the presence of HDH Pramukh Swami Maharaj. In the end each and every devotee was sprayed with color by Harikrishna Maharaj. The Samiyo was concluded with Arati and Mahaprasad.
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Devotees from all over Houston and beyond gathered together to celebrate this joyous and auspicious occasion of Fuldol/Holi. The evening program commenced with the traditional dhoon and prathana. Devotional kirtans captivated the audience. These were interspersed by speeches by MC Anandbhai Barot. Pujya Jnanpurush Swami spoke about the importance of Fuldol/Holi and why it is celebrated vastly throughout the world. People tend to forget the importance of Fuldo/Holi; they simply think it’s a day to shower friends and family members with various colors and to have fun. Both Anandbhai and Gnanpurush Swami presented several episodes from the lives of Lord Swaminarayan and his saints and how they celebrated this auspicious occasion. Today Pramukh Swami Maharaj has enlightened us and has showered his rang (color) to better us as individuals. The highlight of the celebration came with a video presentation of Fuldol/Holi utsav celebrated in Sarangpur, in which Pramukh Swami Maharaj showered his blessings along with rang (color) to all the hari-bhaktos that attended. In the end, Jagdishbhai, Houston mandir construction supervisor addressed the assembly and gave up-to-date status on the new mandir construction. With only 140 days till Mandir Mohatsav, there is a lot that needs to be accomplished. The occasion concluded with Aarti and Mahaprasad.
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Devotees celebrated fuldol-holi utsav at Jersey city mandir in the presence of Pujya Santos .The mood was set by a colorful decoration.Center path was decorated with bowls filled with colorful water, pichkaris and colors of holi .Main stage was decorated with the utsav murti of Maharaj on a festive swing known as the “HINDOLO”.
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Fuldol Samaiyo was a first Samaiyo celebration for Perry Mandir after Murti Pratistha on Jan.25th ’04. It was celebrated with huge excitement and success. Included speeches for ‘Holi-Parva’ and ‘Bhagatji Maharaj’ gave lots of cultural and religious knowledge to the attendants. Non-Gujarati families and other youngster were kept engaged in the program by an English speech given by one kishore.
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The Toronto BAPS celebrated the Fuldol Utsav, people partaking in the festivities. A picturesque backdrop along with pots (kalash) over flowing with rich color adorned the murtis of Shreeji Maharaj and Gunatitanand Swami. The program was an exquisite blend of kirtans and pravachans that illustrated the richness of the adhyatmic (spiritual) height attained by Bhagatji Maharaj. Another pravachan ‘Seva no Adarsh’ highlighted the uniqueness of Seva performed by Bhagatji Maharaj to earn ‘Akshar Gnan’.
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The Washington
DC BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir celebrated the “Fuldol” festival and a birthday
of Bhagatji Maharaj with great enthusiasm in the presence of Pujya Viveknidhi
Swami, Pujya Bhaktiswarup Swami and devotees. Kishore Mandal had magnificently
decorated both stages with artificial trees, plants, and flowers to
create a festive “Vasant” environment. On the left stage an attractively
decorated swing with the Utsav Murti of Bhagwan Swaminarayan being swung
by Gunatitanand Swami and on the other stage a swing suspended from
the ceiling with the cut out murti of Pramukh Swami Maharaj were nicely
arranged. The evening program commenced at 4:00 pm with Stuti, Dhoon,
Prarthana, and celebratory Kirtans like “Swami Amaare Ang Tam Rung Dholido…”
and “Mane Lagyo-re rasiya taro rang…” Pujya Viveknidhi Swami delivered
the keynote speech enlightening the life and invaluable achievements
of Bhagatji Maharaj. He also talked about the historic side of the Holi
Utsav and how Shriji Maharaj celebrated this festival with great enthusiasm.
Kishore mandal performed a skit on "Adhunik Rang - Internet Chatting"
that very effectively informed the audience about it’s addictive nature
and serious effects on today’s youths. Finally, all devotees enjoyed
a video darshan of previous Fuldol celebration by Pramukh Swami Maharaj
in Sarangpur kith Kirtan “Yogi Aavo te rang”. The program was concluded
with singing of “Fagva” and traditional prasad of khajur, chana and
dhani. |
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The Holi-Fuldol Utsav was celebrated at the Palm Beach Mandir. The celebration consisted of two main events: Satsang Sabha and Holi. Satsang Sabha consisted of Kirtan-Bhakti, Speeches and video presentation. Yuvak Mandal presented Kirtans remembering Brahmswarup Bhagatji Maharaj and Shreeji Maharaj’s Fuldol Utsav celebration. Amotivating speech “Holi: Swabhav Baalva No Utsav” was presented by devotee depicting incidents from the life of Brahmswarup Bhagatji Maharaj. Another speech was also presented by devotee about “Swamishri Na Haribhakto”. Pujari presented the kirtan “Tu Rangai Jaane Rang Ma”. Then a video presentation of “Fuldol Utsav” as celebrated at Sarangpur in presence of H.D.H. Pramukh Swami Maharaj was shown.
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Westchester
Mandir celebrated the Holi- Fuldol Samayio with the aura of spring,
color and fragrance in the air. Significance of Pushpadolatsav, Holika
and Rangotsava celebrations and their true meanings were discussed.
After dhoon, prarthana and kirtans appropriate for the occasion, there
were inspiring pravachans on the lives of haribhaktos whose lives were
colored by the color of devotion, bhakti and nishtha by Shriji Maharaj,
Gunatitanand Swami and presently Pujya Pramukh Swami Maharaj. Video
darshan of Swami spraying the ecstatic saints and haribhaktos in Sarangpur
with color of bhakti were enjoyed by the audience Ill effects of internet
chatting were discussed and Sansthas’ achievements whiz London Mandir,
Microsoft Program distributions and Blood donation drives were explained.The
First Gujarati class was started on this day. |
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Fuldol was celebrated in a grand manner at the Orlando Mandir. The significance of this festival is the birthday celebrations of Brahma Swaroop Bhagatji Maharaj and Holi, the festival of colors. The murtis of AksharPurushottam Maharaj and RadhaKrsna Dev were beautifully adorned with special clothes made of Flowers.
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