The holy day of ‘Guru Purnima’ was celebrated by Haridham, Yogi Divine Society, New Jersey at the Royal Albert’s Palace in Edison, July 13, 2022. Founded in 1974, Yogi Divine Society is a global organization following the Swaminarayan faith, with over 500 centers in countries including India, U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, U.K., Germany, France and South Africa.
The special celebrations in New Jersey were attended by close to 2,200 devotees, followers and friends from New Jersey and the tri-state area, and from India. Representatives from many organizations also participated alongside dignitaries from India.
Among those present were Padma Shri recipient and Chairman of Parikh Worldwide Media and ITV Gold Dr. Sudhir Parikh, Federation of Indo-American Seniors Associations of North America (FISANA) Chair Dipak Shah, Umiyadham Temple Trustee Balvantbhai, Piyush Patel, A.K. Vijayakrishnan of the Indian Consulate, Jeetubhai, Harshadbhai, ICS President Rajeshbhai, Mukund Thakar of My Indian Nursing Home, President and CEO of Honor Aging Tim Hodges and Dr. Sanket Ruparelia, and Ishwarbhai and Yashwantbhai from the Dwarkadheesh Temple in India.
The celebrations began with a pre-meeting performance by the kids under the guidance of Guruprasad Swami and Sarvamangal Swami. This was followed by a ‘mahaprasad’ or dinner before the main event which began at 7:15 p.m. with ‘kirtan’ and ‘bhajans’. The highlight of the evening was the entry of ‘Thakorji’ (Shreenathji), ‘Guru Parampara’ or the Lineage of the Gurus, and the present Guru Prabodhjeevan ji on a palanquin. After that, a video presentation on the importance of the ‘Guru’ and the day of Guru Purnima was made by Krutarthbhai and Mihirbhai.
This was followed by an enlightening lecture by Guruprasad Swami on the life of Hariprasad Swami and Prabodhjivan Swami, emphasizing the need to follow the directions of the gurus to enjoy a fuller life. The event ended with him thanking all present and inviting them to a similar event organized for the end of August, and an ‘aarati’ in which everyone joined.
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