- Swaminarayan temple celebrates bicentenary of Revati Baldevji Harikrishna Maharaj’s Pran Pratishtha
- Spiritual gathering honours distinguished Padma Shri awardees from literature, arts and public life
- Week-long Dwishatabdi Patotsav under Acharya Vrajendraprasadji Maharaj draws devotees and dignitaries
NE SPIRITUAL BUREAU
JETALPUR, MAR 7
A spiritually vibrant celebration marked the second day of the grand bicentenary festivities at Swaminarayan Temple Jetalpur, where several eminent personalities honoured with the Padma Shri were felicitated during a special programme.
The celebrations commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Pran Pratishtha (consecration) of Revati Baldevji Harikrishna Maharaj, installed at Jetalpur by Swaminarayan himself as part of the nine temples he personally established.
The sacred milestone will be completed on the auspicious day of Vikram Samvat 2082, Phagan Vad Ashtami (March 11, 2026).
To commemorate the occasion, the Dwishatabdi Patotsav (bicentenary celebration) is being held from March 5 to March 11, 2026, with grand religious and cultural programmes.
The week-long celebration is being organised under the blessings of Acharya Koshalendraprasadji Maharaj and Tejendraprasadji Maharaj, and is presided over by Vrajendraprasadji Maharaj.
As part of the celebrations, a special programme titled “Avsar” was organised on the second day to recognise individuals who have made exceptional contributions in various fields.
Padma Shri Honourees Felicitated
During the ceremony, several distinguished personalities who have been conferred the Padma Shri were honoured, including:
- Bhikhudan Gadhvi
- Shahabuddin Rathod
- Paresh Rathwa
- Nilesh Mandalewala
- Ratan Parimoo
- Vishnu Kumar Pandya
- Raghuveer Chaudhary
- Chandrakant Sheth
- Bhanu Chitara
- Ratilal Borisagar
Their contributions to literature, arts, culture and social service were acknowledged during the grand spiritual gathering.
Dignitaries Grace the Occasion
During the second day’s programme, Tirthraj Tripathi, the revered priest of Kashi Vishwanath Temple, honoured Mota Maharajshri in recognition of the spiritual significance of the celebration.
Also present at the event was Devusinh Chauhan, Member of Parliament from the Kheda constituency for three consecutive terms. He was welcomed by Mota Maharajshri during the ceremony.
Jaideep Patel from the Vishwa Hindu Parishad was also present at the event.
The ongoing celebrations at Jetalpur Dham are witnessing large participation from devotees, scholars and cultural personalities, reflecting the enduring spiritual legacy of the Swaminarayan tradition.
