Ashadhi Bij, the day of Ratah-yatra bears
a spiritual importance in India. This is the day on which Ratha
yatra of Bhagawan Jaggannath took place at Jaggannath Puri, one
of the great shrines. For Swaminarayan Sampraday and especially
for Gurukul family this day is of one of the utmost importance
as this the birthday of Sadguru Shastriji Maharaj Shree
Dharmajivandasji Swami, the founder of Shree Swaminarayan
Gurukul Rajkot and a true follower and propagator of Shree
Swaminarayan Sampraday.
Gurukul celebrates this day with its
unique way of Bhajan and spiritual events.
At Gurukul Rajkot and all its brahnches an
incessant Dhoon was performed and a special assembly was
held. Along with the Poojan of Pujyapad Shree Shastriji
Maharaj, Saints narrated the virtuous life occurrences of
Pujyapad Shree Shastriji Maharaj. Students also presented
dialogs and presentations showing inspiring life span of Sadguru
Shastriji Maharaj.
At Gurukul Rajkot and Gurukul Junagadh
incessant Dhoon was performed for twelve hours. At Gurukul
Ahmedabad along with individual Bhajan by students three hours
incessant Dhoon was performed. At Gurukul Surat students
performed 500 group Mahapooja and 01,00,000 Dandavt pranam along
with Mala, Pradaxina, and Janmangal recitations. At SGVP a
Ratha-yatra was arranged with the Murties of Bhagwan Shree
Krishna, Balramji and Subhdraji as at Jaggannath Puri.
At Gurukul Taravada, the birth place of
Sadguru Shastriji Maharaj a special celebration for was held in
the presence of elder saints. Recitation of ‘Shree Hari Smruti’
was performed for two days and Katha on Vachanamrut was narreted
by Sadguru Purani Shree Dharmavallabhdasji Swami. On July 16, a
Rath-Yatra in form of palanquin (Palakhi) was arranged from
Gurukul to the birth place of Sadguru Shastriji Maharaj where a
temple is erected. Pujya Shree Hariprasaddasji Swami performed
the Arati of Thakoraji in palanquin and also in temple. Assembly
was held at very place. Sadguru Mahant Swami Shree
Devkrishnadasji Swami blessed all devotees there. A new
construction ‘Nilkanth Bhuvan’ was also inaugurated on this
pious day with the holy hands of Pujya Swamiji. Sadguru Purani
Shree Gyanswarupdasji Swami also gave the occasional speech.
At all other branches and centres of
Gurukul family special bhajan was performed in the holy memory
of Sadguru Shastriji Maharaj Shree Dharmajivandasji Swami.
