The Majestic Spiritual Fiesta – Yugpurush Saardh Shatabdi Mahotsav

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The hallowed day of Kartik Purnima 150 years ago was blessed with the birth of an Enlightened Being – Shrimad Rajchandraji. This epitome of love and compassion illumined the earth with His august presence for a mere 34 years but left behind a legacy, that continues to awaken scores of seekers from their slumber of ignorance. This year holds the privilege of being the 150th Birth Anniversary year of the venerated Shrimadji, which has been filled with numerous offerings of sadhana and seva by seekers across the globe. The grand finale of this year was the magnanimous Yugpurush Mahotsav held in the Ashram at Dharampur for three and a half memorable days from Thursday, 2nd November to Sunday, 5th November 2017. Bearing the theme of ‘Mudra’, ‘Vachanamrut’ and ‘Satsamagam’ these three and a half days were blessed with hearty doses of devotion drenching seekers in ceaseless showers of grace.

2nd November – ‘Mudra’

This auspicious morning saw throngs of devotees dressed in their best, eagerly congregate at the SMSM High School grounds to partake the grand Shobhayatra. Marking the start of the mahotsav, the Master released 150 birds gifting them freedom, before giving a spectacular flag off to the shobhayatra. Traversing through the lanes of Dharampur town, there was a majestic procession with a palanquin holding the idol of Bhagwan Mahavir, royal chariots bearing idols of the Param Krupalu Dev Shrimad Rajchandraji and a carriage of Pujya Gurudevshri. The scene of youth dancing in ecstatic joy, women carrying the pious ‘Vachanamrutji’ on their heads in deep veneration, children on camels, horses etc. was like a divine spectacle. Five stations depicting incidents from the revered life of Param Krupalu Dev were created along the journey. The shobhayatra culminated in high spirits as the senior citizens traditionally welcomed the shobhayatra in the Ashram.

The evening saw everyone assemble at the newly constructed amphitheatre in the Ashram in elated spirits to witness the spectacular unveiling of the world’s tallest pratimaji of Param Krupalu Dev Shrimad Rajchandraji. The world-renowned Spiritual Head of the Art of Living Foundation, His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankarji entered the arena of thousands of excited devotees with Pujya Gurudevshri. The revered saint Sri Sri Ravi Shankarji was then graciously invited to ring the bell, a signal for the monumental unveiling to ensue. Devotees’ stood awestruck, as the breath-taking pratimaji of Param Krupalu Dev Shrimad Rajchandraji was unveiled. The two divine beacons of spirituality lit a pious agnikund and took their seats at the Lotus Feet of the colossal pratimaji. A graceful yoga dance depicting different types of namaskars was offered to the Lord. Two symbolic launches marked the special day – the miniature idols of Param Krupalu Dev and a musical CD titled ‘Smaranam’. After a warm and heartfelt felicitation between the Masters, His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankarji addressed the enthusiastic crowd and led the gathering deeper through a moonlight meditation. Pujya Gurudevshri gave an electrifying pravachan glorifying Shrimad Rajchandraji’s exalted state. Pujya Gurudevshri then felicitated the blessed sculptor and the core team involved in making this beautiful pratimaji led by Sharnarpit Raman Tikka. He then felicitated the Vastupal – Tejpal (Doshi) family who were blessed with the laabh of sponsoring this entire project. The awe-inspiring evening concluded with devotees reaching a devotional high and swaying to the tunes of the mesmerising bhakti by renowned music composer duo Sachin-Jigar.

3rd November – ‘Vachanamrut’

This day was graced with a grand devotional pujan of the ever-sacred Vachanamrutji – the hallowed words of Param Krupalu Dev Shrimad Rajchandraji. To adorn this great pujan, the trustees of Shrimad Rajchandra Nijabhyas Mandap and Vihar Bhavan Trust entered the mandap with the sacred original letter penned by Param Krupalu Dev to Shri Sobhagbhai, which was brought with utmost reverence in a palaquin. The Master’s powerful discourse encouraged seekers to progress on the quest to inner bliss. The elevating Vachanamrutji pujan, performed by several blessed devotees, lifted the spirits of all present. An auspicious arti brought a fitting completion to the connecting morning ceremony.

Devotees enthusiastically gathered in the amphitheatre for another evening of elevation. The spiritual luminaries who accompanied Pujya Gurudevshri on the stage were saints from BAPS Swaminarayan – Pujya Swami Viveksagarji and Swami Vivekswarupji; Founder of Ahimsa Vishwa Bharati – Pujya Acharyashri Dr. Lokesh Muni and Founder of Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre – Pujya Bhikkhu Sanghasenaji.

Pujya Swami Viveksagarji and Pujya Acharyashri Lokesh Muniji graced the assembly with their rousing discourses. A book, ‘Shrimadji Spake’ comprising a compilation of 100 letters of Shrimadji translated in English, was launched. Devotees were left spellbound as they watched the miraculous journey of the epic drama – ‘Yugpurush: Mahatma na Mahatma’ as it broke multiple records and entered the Limca Book of Records. The Master felicitated the core team of sevaks associated with this play along with the director, script writer, music directors and all the 7 cast teams of the play. The evening ended on a joyous note with a devotional arti.

4th November – ‘Satsamagam’

This was the auspicious day of kartik purnima that marked the actual blessed day of birth of this Enlightened Being Param Krupalu Dev Shrimad Rajchandraji. Devotees excitedly assembled early at dawn in the amphitheatre to revel in the experience of a lifetime – to experience a tsunami of devotion as never before! The magnificent celebrations commenced with a melodious shehnai recital. A heartfelt devvandan unlocked feelings of devotion within each one present. Devotion and emotion reached a crescendo and every pore burst with utmost reverence as Pujya Gurudevshri rose high on a crane and performed the Mahamastakabhishek of the tall reigning pratimaji of Param Krupalu Dev! Joy and elation knew no bounds!

After the abhishek of the pratimaji with the five coloured waters denoting the Panch Parmeshthi, the Master showered varied coloured flowers on the Lord. Devotees’ hearts were filled with awe as they witnessed Pujya Gurudevshri’s divine countenance immersed in overflowing veneration for Param Krupalu Dev Shrimad Rajchandraji. Drenched in the colours of the Divine, the exalted Sadguru swayed in devotional trance with His whole being suffused in esctasy.

Mid morning again seekers eagerly gathered in the mandap for another serving of divine connection – it was the shilanyas ceremony of the new 250-bed Shrimad Rajchandra Hospital. A video introducing facilities of this soon to-be-constructed new 250-bed multi-speciality Hospital, an initiative by Shrimad Rajchandra Love and Care was screened. Pujya Gurudevshri’s electrifying words struck a chord in the hearts of all. The occasion was then graced by the revered Pujyashri Morari Bapu. He was very lovingly welcomed and felicitated by Pujya Gurudevshri. Also present were Founder of Parmarth Niketan – Pujya Swami Shri Chidanand Saraswatiji, Pujya Acharyashri Dr. Lokesh Muniji, Pujya Bhikkhu Sanghasenaji and Pujya Brahma Kumari Didi Dr. Nirmala as well as government officials Dr. Jayanti S Ravi (Commissioner of Health, Medical Services & Medical Education, Gujarat), Hon. MP Shri K. C. Patel and Hon. MLA Shri Kanubhai Desai. Pujya Morari Bapu and Bhikkhu Sanghasenaji elevated the crowd with their heartfelt address. Dr Jayanti Ravi in her address deeply appreciated the Mission’s numerous social initiatives. The foundation stone of the new hospital was then blessed by Pujya Morari Bapu, Pujya Gurudevshri and other saints. Shri Vijaybhai Rupani, Hon. Chief Minister of Gujarat, sent a special message on this auspicious occasion.

The final evening of the majestic mahotsav saw devotees congregate once more at the pious amphitheatre. Pujya Gurudevshri, Pujya Swami Shri Chidanand Saraswatiji, Pujya Bhikkhu Sanghasenaji and Pujya Brahma Kumari Didi Dr. Nirmala were graciously welcomed on stage amidst devotional nrutyabhakti. Pujya Gurudevshri’s insightful discourse electrified the audience. The Vice – President of the Gandhi Global Family, Padmashri Dr. Verma conferred upon the Master the Gandhi Seva Medal and presented Him with the Indian flag and UN Agenda. Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji’s and Pujya Brahma Kumari Didi Dr. Nirmala’s enlivening address touched seekers. An awe-inspiring laser presentation projecting images of the Lord on the pratimaji, left the audience spellbound. A soul-stirring skit ‘Aho Rajchandradev – Ek Chaitanya Mahasagar’ portraying the life and exalted state of Param Krupalu Dev captivated devotees. A special pictoral book for children based on the life of Yugpurush Shrimad Rajchandraji was released. The evening ended on a devotional note with heartfelt arti.

5th November

The culmination of the spiritual extravaganza was the Atmarpit Diksha Ceremony. The five blessed souls were welcomed on stage amidst thundering applause. One of the to-be-atmarpits – Jivanarpit Shraddha Kothari shared her journey from a staunch non-believer to an intense yearning for the Divine. An accomplished danseuse, she expressed her emotions through a dance recital. Then Pujya Gurudevshri’s heartening pravachan encouraged seekers to go beyond the transitory material world whose accomplishments will end with death. The Master then initiated these five enthusiastic devouts into Atmarpit diksha. The Sadguru blessed each Atmarpit with a kada and mala as a symbol of their commitment to the Divine. On behalf of the new Atmarpits, Atmarpit Anirudhhbhai shared his joy, gratitude, devotion and undetered commitment to the Higher. The Sadguru also blessed several devotees with Vanprastha Diksha. A devotional arti completed the wonderful ceremony.

Three and a half days of unimaginable bliss, spiritual highs and boundless elation, an unforgettable occasion to be cherished for a lifetime – what more can a devotee pray for? It seemed as if heaven had descended on this earth, with the mornings and evenings drenched in pure love and devotion.