• 2 April, 2000 (Fagun Vad 13, V.S. 2056) Sunday, Sarangpur
  Dr. K.M. Acharya of Jamnagar, a renowned doctor treating leprosy patients, came for Swamishri's darshan and blessings. He was impressed by Swamishri's visit to Jamnagar last year and reflected, "After your blessings my service to society has become very successful. Even today those patients (leprosy) lovingly remember you. Who would touch leprosy patients? But your personal touch and blessings has impressed them. Swami, we heal the physical wounds and afflictions whereas you heal their mental wounds and afflictions… The leprosy patients to whom you had presented bicycles and sewing machines are now earning their own bread. They have become self-sufficient and gained a lot of confidence."
• 3 April, 2000 (Fagun Vad 14, V.S. 2056) Monday, Sarangpur
  A celebration of Lord Swaminarayan's 220 birth anniversary according to the English date was held in the presence of Swamishri. Swamishri played the 'kartal' on the beat of the bhajan, "Sonana bor jhule Dharmakishore…" and blessed the assembly.
• 6 April, 2000 (Chaitra Sud 2, V.S. 2056) Thursday, Sarangpur, Botad, Sarangpur
  At 6.10 p.m. Swamishri arrived at Botad for the grand finale of the decennial inauguration anniversary of the Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Mandir. The 3-day program included a yagna for world peace, a spectacular procession on the streets of Botad, cultural programs, discourses and a concert of bhajans by the sadhus. This morning Pujya Mahant Swami had performed the murti-pratishtha ceremony of marble murtis of Guru parampara at the mandir. In the evening Swamishri worshipped the murtis of Akshar and Purushottam, Harikrishna Maharaj and the newly installed murtis of Guru parampara. Lord Harikrishna Maharaj was honored by the devotees. More than 10,000 devotees had assembled on this final day.
• 9 April, 2000 (Chaitra Sud 5, V.S. 2056) Sunday, Gadhada
  In the evening assembly, Lord Harikrishna Maharaj was honored in the presence of Swamishri. During his blessings, Swamishri emphasized the need to conserve water in the prevailing drought that has gripped the region of Saurashtra: "Today, there is a severe crises of water. When the rains fail we realize the importance of water. And during the hot summer months we get anxious, criticize and angrily voice our opinions and even fight for water. But by merely shouting nothing is achieved. You have to think individually and act. There are some people in Saurashtra who are aware and active to the need for conserving water. It is time to unite and realize that we have to save water. If you endeavor to make arrangements for collecting water then it will benefit everyone. For the present don't waste water, use it judiciously…"
• 12 April, 2000 (Chaitra Sud 9, VS 2056) Wednesday, Ram Navmi, Shri Hari Jayanti, Bhavnagar
  ( See Special Report )
• 13 April, 2000 (Chaitra Sud 10, VS 2056) Thursday, Bhavnagar
  Swamishri inaugurated a Computer Center at Akshar Vadi for the benefit of children and teenagers of Satsang.

7 April 2000 (Chaitra Sud 3, V.S. 2056) Friday, Sarangpur, Gadhada

       Offering Prostrations

• Swamishri arrived in Gadhada at 10.40 a.m. On visiting the holy places of Shriji Maharaj, Swamishri performed prostrations at several places. In the evening the sadhus, on informing Swamishri that he had performed 36 prostrations in the morning, requested that because of old age and failing health he should not prostrate at all the holy places.
  Swamishri replied, "One should offer prostrations. And besides, we have come here after eight to ten months. If it is a daily routine then you are right. And I had not prostrated at all the places. I had prostrated only at the main places - the mandir, Akshar Ordi, Laxmi Vadi - and while doing darshan at the other places I got enough rest.
  The sadhus respectfully added, "But if we were to do it on your behalf !"
  Swamishri replied, "Only by eating can one fulfill one's hunger. If I eat, will it satisfy your hunger? Likewise, the prostrations have to be done by myself."
  Even at the age of 80 Swamishri pays no attention to old age when it comes to offering reverence, and respect to Lord Swaminarayan and the holy places.

10 April, 2000 (Chaitra Sud 6, V.S. 2056) Monday, Gadhada

       The Art and Manner of Working

• After Thakorji's darshan at 7.30 a.m., Swamishri was descending the main steps of the Akshar Purushottam mandir. A sadhu overlooking the construction cell pointed out to Swamishri, "The marble of these main steps will be replaced by white marble. Swamishri stopped briefly, and on looking at the steps said, "How thick will the new marble planks be?"
  "One inch," replied the sadhu.
  "But how thick is this marble?" Swamishri asked.
  "It is two inches thick."
  "Then won't the new ones be too thin?" Swamishri questioned.
  "No Swami, we will place a strip and a good amount of solid stuff before placing the one inch marble plank. So there won't be any problem."
  Swamishri gave his consent but then hesitated and said, "I feel that if we keep it two inches thick then how would it be? Because very often one inch thick marble planks break off at the edges and the steps always remain like that forever. Then it doesn't look good at all."
  The sadhu agreed and said they will place two inch thick planks.
  "And make the edge of each step round so that it won't hurt anyone," Swamishri added.
  A couple of hours later at 9.45 a.m., Swamishri was scheduled to depart from Gadhada. After doing Thakorji's darshan, Swamishri showed the sadhu the chipped edge of a marble step.
  "How thick do you think this marble is?" Swamishri enquired.
  "About 1.5 inches."
  "And how thick do you think that is?" Swamishri pointed to a step further away beneath the main dome.
  "At least 2 to 2.5 inches," replied the sadhu.
  "You can see that the edges of those steps are unbroken. Therefore you should keep the thickness to 2 inches, otherwise once its edges break off it will always remain so…"
  Swamishri's keen observation, method of explaining and reasoning was absolutely convincing. Despite his hectic pace of activities his eye for perfection and good work is amazing. Everyone was profoundly appreciative at his humble, suggestive and concrete manner of working.

• Where there is unity; happiness and wealth increase.