Activities

The true spirit of religion is neither in gold nor in silver nor in diamonds and precious stones, neither in marble floor not in granite walls. It is neither in the administrative setups of monasteries and temples. All these are mere outward forms. The spirit of the religion lies only in the eternal and perennial values of human life, where the spirit of the Swaminarayan Sampraday is located.

Brahmsatra

Inspired by the Almighty, Sdg.Shashtriji Maharaj bestowed many newly created activities to Sampraday. In the similar like Brahmsatra is also his own initiative. With the holy aim to spread Satsang and remembrance of Shree Hari, the first Brahmsatra was initiated on samvat 2020, month of Shravan, Punam, and Sunday dated 23 Aug. 1964. From the morning at 5.00 a.m. To 11.00 p.m. drowned only in the verses of Bhagavan, Unidevotional saints and truthful devotees yield mutually the strength of Satsang and understand the mutual glory and group living. Every year in the month of Sravan, nearly about Janmashtami, Brahmsatra is being arranged at Rajkot Gurukul. This heritage started by Sdg.Shashtriji Maharaj is handed down with zeal and happiness of the same tempo.

Gyansatra

At the holy place of Ahmedabad Gurukul D. D. Maharajshree Tejendraprasadji showered his blessings on 27th Aug. 1977 and the first Gyansatra was performed. The devotees get spiritually nourished - with additional deep understanding. Such unique programs are arranged during the Gyansatra. The attendants in the satra pass their entire day remembering Lord only. Under the inspiring guidance of Sdg. Purani Shree Balkrishnadasji Swami, Gyansatra is proved out to be ideal activity for in the service of Satsang as well as society. Blessings of elder saints, Katha-Varta, Kirtan-Bhakti, cultural programs, blood donation camps etc.such benevolent programs boost momentum of spreading Satsang.

Abhyuday Satra

Every year in the month of Shravan, Abhyuday Satra is arranged by Surat Gurukul. Purani Shree Dharmavallabhdasji Swami delivers spiritual discourses on various topics and nourishes the Satsang.

Japyajna

Sdg.Shashtriji Maharaj as if addicted of chiantis japa of great manrta 'Swaminarayan' also was getting it done as if it was a habit to him. Sdg.Shashtriji Maharaj used to say many times - 'Our aim is to deliver Bhagawan along with education'. He had declared a unique system of Japa-yajna in Samvat-2013, so that one can avail the holy Name as well as the message of Shree Swaminarayan Bhagavan. This unique way of worship/Bhajan created a fervent attraction among the Sampraday as it was introduced for the first time. On this auspicious occasion nearly 7000 Japa-followers participated in the Jap-Yajna and 5,00,00,00,000 japas were chanted.

After this, H.H.Shashtriji Maharaj continued this unique succession of Japa-yajnas. He realised that by such activity the task of spreading of the Satsang was proceeding well. The influence of Bhajan brings the purity in the atmosphere. The heart of Japa-performers becomes serene, and thus arises the affection, unity and religious tendency in the family.
The following table summarizes the celebrated 9 Japa-yajnas at Rajkot Gurukul.

Sequence	Samvat	Date
First	2014	06 to0 8 Mar.1958
Second	2016	22 to 24 Feb. 1960
Third	2019	03 to 05 Mar. 1963
Fourth	2024	19 to 21 Apr. 1968
Fifth	2029	23 to 27 Feb. 1973
Sixth	2032	05 to 09 May 1976
Seventh	2035	05 to 11 Mar. 1979
Eighth	2037	08 to 15 Mar. 1981
Ninth	2043	05 to 09 Mar. 1987

Sadhana Shibir

H.H.Shashtriji Maharaj has served Satsang immensely by ever new and unique programs. In his numerous bestowing 'Adhyatma Sadhana Shibir' is uniquely special. Starting from early morning 4.00 a.m. to 9.30 p.m. - Ganga-snan, Pooja, Darshan, Sant-vandana, Yogasan, Arati, Dhyan, Anushthan, Japa, Manasi-Pooja, Lunch, Vachanamrut Katha, Swadhyay, Utthapan, Abhishek and group bath in Ganga, Van- sabha, Sandhya-arti, Dhun, Discourses of saints, Niyam- chesta-with such a busy schedule, in the holy company of H.H.Shashtriji Maharaj, devotee�s experienced the Golden period of their life.
The sequence of such Shibir is still continued.

Sequence	Dates	No. of attendants
First	06 Oct. to 03 Nov. 1987	Saints-60 & Devotees-200
Second	04 Oct. to 24 Oct. 1990	Saints-40 & Devotees-400
Third	07 Nov. to 21 Nov.1996	Saints-65 & Devotees-600

Akhand Dhun

In the history of Sampraday the senior saints have always insisted to pay more attention to Bhajan. They themselves joined and directed others to come in their fold. Remembrance of Shree Hari brings internal as well as external sanctity and thus encourages to step forward on spiritual path way. Gigantic planning of continuous dhun is in progress under the auspices of Gurukul.

Date	Destination	Duration
25-5-88 to 8-6-88	53 Villages(Saurashtra)	1008 Hours
7-1-89 to 14-1-89	193 Villages(Saurashtra)	2006 Hours
16-12-91 to 31-12-91	140 Villages(Gujarat)	1700 Hours
1-9-93 to 12-9-93	90 Villages(Saurashtra)	1008 Hours
2-3-97 to 30-3-97	30 Villages(Vadodara)	360 Hours
1-9-97 to 30-9-97	30 Villages(Mumbai)	360 Hours
2-10-97 to 21-10-97	20 Villages(Navasari)	240 Hours
12-8-93 to 11-9-93	Amareli	One Month
14-1-94 to 14-1-95	Surat Gurukul	One Year
26-1-96 to 5-3-96	Surat Gurukul	40 Days
17-6-96 to18-7-96	Navsari	One Month

Dhuns inspired by Gurukul

On 207th Shree Hari jayanti in 277 villages and of 5589 Hours.
In 190 villages on the occasion of 'Fareni Dhun' and the day of the birth of the great Mantra.
At 200 villages of 1008 Hours at the time of Dhun at Junagadh.
in 230 villages and of 5628 Hours.
From 1986 at every year on the day of Makar Sankranti in nearly 350 villages totaling to 3200 Hours.
For 5 years at every 11th day (Ekadashi) of the month in Rajkot Gurukul for 12 Hours.
At present under the auspices of Vishwamangal festival, since last 25 months a roaming continuous Dhun of Swaminarayan Mahamantra is visiting the different villages and cities of Kuchch, Saurashtra, Gujarat and Maharashtra. In that Pujya Narayanprasaddasji Swami is the principal source of Satsang strength.

Pilgrimage

In the lineage of Indian culture, pilgrimages find a unique place in the field of religion. It is dedicated performance related to religious activities. Gurukul arranges occasionally visits to pilgrim sites by train, bus or even on foot. Continuous recitation of Shree Hari, His divine plays (Lila), revival at the site itself, darshan, anushthan etc. remain the chief attractions of these pilgrimages.

Katha-Parayan

'To listen to the Katha-Parayan by of Rajkot Gurukul's saints, is a unique experience', this is the feeling of many devotees. As soon as one discourse ends the same day the other Katha is started. Erudite scholar Shastri Shree MadhavpriyadasjiSwami and Purani Shree Gyanswarupdasji Swami explain effectively by light speech, deliver in an excellent style. Both the orators till now have completed more than 400 Parayans and served Satsang in a notable way. And in many discourses-Parayans, Purani Shree Bhaktiprakashdasji Swami, Purani Shree Shreeharidasji Swami, Purani Shree Madhavjivandasji Swami, Purani Shree Krishnaswarupdasji Swami, Purani Shree Krishnapriydasji Swami, Shashtri Shree Nirmaldasji Swami also are on the dias as orators.

Temple Construction & Renovation

Shree Swaminarayan Bhagavan has allotted a tremendous significance to temple construction. He has personally carried stones on his head to help construct the temples. In His presence and after Him also Nand-saints have joined to build temples at several places. Through this temples, Satsang remained firm and stable. Sdg. Shashtriji Maharaj has interwoven this as a part of his service activities and roused new temples and performed renovation of old temples. The tradition set by him is continued and hundreds of temples have been renovated and constructed.

Religious Festivals

To nurture the Satsang in large masses and to direct the mumukshu for salvation, Shreeji Maharaj has invoked the tradition for serene and devoted festivals. The Gurukul has maintained that sequence and inherited it since its inception.
Janmashtami, Ramnavami, Jalzilani Ekadashi, Rangotsav, Sharadotsav, Guru-Purnima, Annakutotsav, Shakotsav, Vachanamrut Jayanti, Shikshapatri Jayanti, Dhanurmas, Maghmas are the festivals organised by Gurukul.