Bhagwan Swaminarayan sanctified the pious land of Gujarat by celebrating Pushpadolotsav in various places like Vadtal, Gadhpur, Sarangpur and Ahmedabad. To commemorate his eternal memories, this festival is celebrated in Sarangpur with joy and fervor. H.H. Pramukh Swami Maharaj used to celebrate the festival of Pushpadolotsav every year in Sarangpur; which are reminisced till date. H.H Pramukh Swami Maharaj while blessing the spiritual assembly during the festival used to say, “Everyone is immersed in the colors of the material world but we have to immerse ourselves in the spiritual color of God.” Continuing this tradition, the festival of Pushpadolotsav was celebrated today i.e. 21.04.2024 in the presence of H.H. Mahant Swami Maharaj with joy and fervor in presence of 75000 devotees.
The entire village of Sarangpur was brimming with spiritual joy. Throughout the day, the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir premises in Sarangpur was teeming with a large crowd of devotees. To celebrate the festival of colors, devotees from not only various parts of India but also from around the world were present.
During the evening, an influx of a large number of devotees entering the B.A.P.S. Vidya Mandir premises was witnessed. In that place, a massive assembly hall was prepared by clearing and levelling an area measuring 10 lakh square foot. The premises got filled with the devotees. At 5:45 PM, upon the commencement of the main session of the Pushpadolotsav Festival, the premises was filled with devotees. Upon entering the assembly, all devotees experienced immense joy. Images of the majestic Hindu Mahamandirs of Robbinsville Akshardham and Abu Dhabi were displayed on the vast backdrop behind the stage. Along with this, the dedication of the volunteers who pioneered various social services conducted by the organization was highlighted on stage. In accordance with this message, Pujya Viveksagardas Swami, a senior Swami of BAPS on the occasion of Karyakarta Suvarna Mahotsav, remembered the dedication and sacrifices of the volunteers in establishing the organization’s volunteer force. Thereafter, Pujya Ishwarcharandas Swami, a senior Swami and the international conveyor of BAPS urged every citizen to fulfill their duty by voting for the nation’s upliftment and development in the upcoming elections. Subsequently, On the occasion of Pushpadolotsav’s central theme ‘The Akshardham Within’, Pujya Doctor Swami, a senior Swami of BAPS, gave a heartfelt and thought-provoking discourse.
During this festival of colors, H.H. Mahant Swami Maharaj bestowed his blessings and stated, “Today we are all gathered to immerse ourselves in the colors of Bhakti. The colors of the materialistic world are transient; but the colors of devotion once absorbed, never fade. We should strive to steep ourselves in the colors of divinity and contemplate daily on achieving the divine.”
At the festival’s conclusion, H.H. Mahant Swami Maharaj venerated Akshar Purushottam Maharaj and adorned them with colors. Following this, all the Swamis and devotees performed Ãrti and offered an oblation of water.
H.H. Mahant Swami Maharaj then colored the senior Swamis with the sanctified colors, and Swamis offered Swamiji artistic garlands. After this, the memorable festival of colors began, with devotees lining up before Swamiji. H.H. Mahant Swami Maharaj used a large Pichkari machine to color all the present devotees with saffron, symbolizing spirituality and divinity. Everyone’s faces beamed with happiness as the premises filled with waves of delight, enthusiasm, and bhakti.
The festival concluded with devotees enjoying prasad. This large event was efficiently managed by the Swamis and devotees of BAPS.
