WHITTIER, CA, USA, April 16, 2009: An atmosphere of bhakti surrounded the Whittier, California BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir as devotees of the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Sanstha celebrated the 228th birthday of Bhagwan Swaminarayan, founder of the Sampraday. Bhajans, folk dances, discourses, and inspirational skits filled the evening.
The program commenced with shlokas officially inviting Bhagwan Swaminarayan into the assembly and continued with bhajans sung in the melodious voices of children establishing the devotional course of the evening. Various skits and speeches highlighted the lessons imparted by Bhagwan Swaminarayan and Lord Ram. They had to overcome their share of trials and tribulations as did their devotees. However, their faithfulness and devotion even amidst turbulent times remains exemplary. Discourses by saints also talked about Atma-jnana, the knowledge of one’s Self.