RANGOTSAV is one of the major festivals being celebrated by Bhagwan Shree Swaminarayan with great spiritual fervor. In the same tradition Gurukul continues to celebrate Ragotsav with various spiritual and social aspects at Gurukul Surat.
This year Gurukul received a huge plot of land on the bank of holy river Narmada. Narmada has its spiritual and sacred importance as described in many scriptures. Many incarnations, Rushis and devotees have done penance on the bank of Narmada. Since ancient time it has been preferred by saints to make here the spiritual establishments by number of Ashrams, Gurukuls, temples and spiritual centres. Today also many holy places on the bank of Narmada are strengthening the spiritual traditions of India. Bhagawan Shree Swaminarayan along with His holy Paramhansas also enhanced the divine importance of river Narmada. In the history of Gurukul, Param Pujya Shastriji Maharaj Shree Dhrmajivandasji Swami had visited the place Morali-sangam on the bank and pledged to chant the holy name SWAMINARAYAN 3.5 crore in numbers. Chanting was continued over ten crores. In the end there was an amazing and ever-memorable festival at Junagadh Temple. At same holy place of Morali-sangam Gurukul has received 70 acres of land to build one more centre of spiritual excellence.
For the Bhoomi-poojan ritual, this year Rangotsav was celebrated at Morali-sangam on the pious bank of river Narmada under the banner of forthcoming ‘Shree Harikrishna Maharaj Mahotsav’. In the holy presence of His Divine Grace Achrya Maharajshree Rakeshprasadji Maharaj and elder saints the Rangotsav was celebrated with great zeal and devotion along with many spiritual as well as social programmes.
On the land donated to Gurukul, a group Mahapooja was performed. It was followed by the rituals of Bhoomi-poojan with the holy hands of HDG Achrya Maharajshree Rakeshprasadji Maharaj. Maharajshree and senior saints showered their blessings for one more centre to propagate the benevolent principles of Bhagawan Shree Swaminarayan.
Bhaktachintamani Yagna: In accordance with the 175th year of Bhaktachintamani scripture, first time ever in the Sampraday a Bhaktachintamani yagna was performed in the bed of river Narmada. A stage with Yagna-kund was set up in the bed of river. Starting from Falgun Sud 9, March 8th Yagna was performed for eight days. Along with recitation of each verse in its tune Ahuties were offered. In all there are 8547 verses in Bhaktachintamani. Last Ahuti (Bidu) was offered by HDG Achrya Maharajshree Rakeshprasadji and saints on the day of Rangotsav, March 15.
Assembly: Assembly was started with the stage show ‘Narmada’ by students of Gurukul, Surat explaining the importance of place ‘Morali-sangam’ on the bank of the river Narmada. It was followed by the Kartal-raas by saints. Pujya Kothari Swami Shree Harijivandasji Swami, Pujya Sadguru Purani Swami Shree Bhaktiprakashdasji Swami performed the Arati of Shree Harikrishna Maharaj and Maharajshree. HDG Maharajshree extended his grace to the donors of the land, Shree Vajubhai Malavia (Surat), Shree Jayantibhai Tarapara (Surat), Shree Dineshbhai Baraiya (Surat) for their worth services.
Rajat-tula: For the forthcoming Mahotsav silver thrones and silver crowns of Shree Harikrishna Maharaj, Shree Lakxminarayan Dev & all other Dev of Vadatal Temple will be prepared. Devotees donated the silver for this cause. It was weighted against an idol of Shree Harikrishna Maharaj. Donated silver will be used for making silver thrones and silver crowns for Vadatal Temple.
Rakta-tula: For the purpose of medical assistance in the blood donation camp 137 bottles of blood was collected and was weighted against an idol of Shree Harikrishna Maharaj.
Under the banner of ‘Shree Harikrishna Maharaj Mahotsav’ 108 schools of rural areas will be computerised. In this movement computers along with educational software & CDs were donated to five schools with the holy hands of HDG Achrya Maharajshree.
New Publications: In accordance with the celebration of 175th year of Bhaktachintamani, a set of seven MP3 CDs of Bhaktachintamani in good tunes sung by the famous singer and musician Shree Hasmukhbhai Patadia will be published by Gurukul. The first part with 27 cantos out of 164 cantos was released from the holy hands of HDG Achrya Maharajshree. Devotees can take the privilege of sponsorship for the remaining parts of the set.
One of the most famous publications of Gurukul is ‘Matru Devo Bhav’ narrated by Sadguru Purani Shree Gyanswarupdasji Swami in his unique style. The VCD of the same was released from the holy hands of Sadguru Mahant Swami Shree Devkrishnadasji Swami.
A set of VCD, Audio CD & booklet to perform the Mahapooja was also released from the holy hands of HDG Achrya Maharajshree.
Explaining the importance of Narmada, Sadguru Shastri Swami Shree Madhavpriyadaji Swami said that the bank of Narmada is alive with more numbers of Ashrams and spiritual establishments. Services of self-sacrificing saints and Rushis are unparalleled in preserving and spread the heritage of Indian culture and traditions.
Sadguru Mahant Swami Shree Devkrishnadasji Swami stated that from this pious place where Pujya Shastriji Maharaj pledged to chant 3.5 crore SWAMINARAYAN mantra, a center to spread the message of Shreeji Maharaj has been started.
HDG Maharajshree appreciated the services conducted by Pujya Shastriji Maharaj and his saints for Sampraday, society and nation. He also blessed the donors of land and devotees. Maharajshree bestowed the set of kit of Mahapooja to the devotees performing the Mahapooja on every Ekadashi. He blessed Pujya Dharmavallabhdasji Swami for conducting the entire celebration.
At the end youths presented the stage show of Rangotsav, involving Pujya Maharajshree and saints. Pujya Maharajshree, saints and devotees celebrated Ragotsav in the bed of river Narmada in the manner that resembled the Rangotsav celebrated by Shreeji Maharaj.
Over 15,000 devotees from surrounding areas and far places took the advantage of this Rangotsav.
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