- Jetalpur Swaminarayan Temple Marks 200 Years of Sacred Consecration
- Grand bicentenary celebrations honour historic installation of Revati-Baldevji Harikrishna Maharaj
- Spiritual event blends devotion with exhibitions on science, environment and social awareness
NE SPIRITUAL BUREAU
JETALPUR (GUJARAT), MAR 11
A spiritually vibrant atmosphere prevailed at Swaminarayan Temple Jetalpur as the sixth day of the bicentenary celebrations marking 200 years of the consecration (Pran Pratishtha) of Revati-Baldevji Harikrishna Maharaj was observed with devotion and grandeur.
The historic installation was originally performed by Swaminarayan himself when he personally built nine temples, five of which included the sacred shrine at Jetalpur. The 200-year milestone falls on the auspicious day of Fagan Vad Atham (March 11, 2026).
The Bicentenary Patotsav celebrations, being held from March 5 to March 11, are organised under the blessings of Koshalendraprasadji Maharaj and Tejendraprasadji Maharaj, and are presided over by Vrajendraprasadji Maharaj, the Acharya-designate.
On the sixth day of the celebrations, Gujarat BJP State President Jagdish Vishwakarma attended the grand programme titled “Avasar” and addressed thousands of devotees gathered at the sacred site.
Speaking on the occasion, Vishwakarma said: “Since childhood we used to visit Jetalpur during Poonam celebrations, and we never imagined that we would one day receive the blessings of Lord Swaminarayan in this way. The 200-year history of Jetalpur Dham is not a small legacy.”
Highlighting the significance of preserving religious values, he added:
“We walk in the footsteps of the noble work being carried out here, and through this the message of Sanatan Dharma continues to spread.”
Emphasising the importance of staying spiritually connected, he remarked:
“If you remain connected with the temple, you remain spiritually alive. We must all maintain a bond with temples.”
He also cautioned about the impact of modern technology on cultural roots, saying:
“In this age of technology and artificial intelligence, if our sons and daughters lose their connection with temples, it will feel as if an important page of life has been torn away and lost somewhere.”
As part of the celebrations, several educational and social awareness exhibitions have been set up at Jetalpur, including displays on cleanliness, environmental conservation, space science, Operation Sindoor, a children’s learning zone, blood donation initiatives, knowledge platforms and anti-addiction awareness programmes.
“These initiatives ensure that every visitor who comes here takes back valuable knowledge and inspiration,” Vishwakarma noted.
Among the dignitaries present at the event were Natu Patel, Rakesh Shah, Bipin Patel, and former Gujarat Chief Justice A. L. Dave, along with several other prominent personalities.
The week-long bicentenary festival has drawn thousands of devotees and visitors, reaffirming the enduring spiritual legacy of the Jetalpur Swaminarayan shrine.
