USA Dharmayatra 2024

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During His recent USA Dharmayatra, Pujya Gurudevshri brought about an enchanting unfurling of spiritual awakening. Each moment became a reminder of the boundless potential within, igniting a shining path towards self-discovery and inner metamorphosis.

Houston, the ‘energy capital of the world’, was enticed by the super dynamism of Pujya Gurudevshri as He arrived here to revitalise the lives of seekers. Prashant–Sheetal Kothari were the delighted hosts.

In an enlightening discourse at the Gujarati Samaj Hall Event Centr, Pujya Gurudevshri awakened aspirants and guided them towards a life with awareness of the Self. The Master was affectionately felicitated by Pujya Shwetmuni Swami and Pujya Gyanpriya Swami of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Sanstha and Trustees.

Pujya Gurudevshri’s padhramanis brought unfathomable delight to seekers. The Master elevated the spirits of devotees through a soulful Udghosh, which was followed by a pulsating pratishtha where He consecrated the Lord at the home of Suresh–Nita Shah.

While in Houston, the Master visited the Indian Doctors Charity Clinic, a non-profit organisation established with the objective of providing basic outpatient non-emergency primary care, eye care services and health education to the uninsured and under-insured community of Greater Houston. He also visited The Eternal Gandhi Museum – a cultural and educational museum dedicated to preserving and promoting Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy by cultivating the universal values of truth, non-violence, peace, love and service.

Austin, the ‘Live music capital of the world’, geared up to dance to the tunes of devotion as Pujya Gurudevshri set foot here to transform scores of lives. Pranav–Kamini Shah were the overjoyed hosts.

In His pravachan at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Pujya Gurudevshri expounded on the path of liberation as laid down by the Dispassionate Ones. Through padhramanis, Pujya Gurudevshri’s glowing blessings extended to aspirants. Hearts brimmed with love and gratitude as Ketan–Sonal Shah, Harsh–Anita Maheshwari and Meru–Nidhi Kapadia invited the Lord through pratishthas. Seekers were also blessed with an enlivening Udghosh by the Master.

Fondly called ‘Vrindavan of the West’ by Pujya Gurudevshri, the city of Dallas came alive with joy and warmly welcomed the Master in its midst. Devang–Minal Jhaveri were the elated hosts.

At the Jain Society of North Texas (JSNT), Pujya Gurudevshri’s pravachan emphasised the importance of adhering to the commands of an Enlightened Master and having faith in His refuge. President of JSNT, Rohit Gangwal and Treasurer of JSNT, Dilip Shah were among the attendees.

In a divine gesture of benevolence, Pujya Gurudevshri graced the homes of several devotees with padhramanis. Through vibrant pratishtha ceremonies, immense bliss was experienced by Satyajit–Manisha Doctor, Neerav–Ami Dalal, Jayesh–Darshana Upadhyay, Vinit–Pooja Shah and Niket Shah. The Master further enriched the experience with an insightful Udghosh.

Seekers of Texas were blessed with a daylong retreat with their beloved Master. Pujya Gurudevshri’s empowering Udghosh took the gathering on a journey of self-discovery. Atmarpit Nemiji’s session educated aspirants about the various on-going activities and future projects of the Mission and inspired them to become a part of the movement. He also conducted fun games with important life lessons. Seekers toned their bodies with yoga and their inner muscles with meditation. Mumukshus of Texas expressed their love and adoration for Pujya Gurudevshri through touching skits, dance and musical performances.

Devotees of California and Phoenix proceeded on a retreat with the Master to Palm Springs; a desert resort city in Riverside County, California. The group accorded Pujya Gurudevshri an enthusiastic and throbbing welcome.

The retreat was adorned with an array of enriching activities, each serving to foster connection. By spotlighting the value of this invaluable human existence and emphasising its committed use for self-realisation, the Master’s two Udghosh instilled within seekers a profound sense of urgency and purpose. Atmarpit Nemiji’s session nurtured a heartfelt sense of belongingness and ignited a fervent spirit of service among the audience. Atmarpit Nemiji also led captivating games, designed to promote value-based learning. Through the practice of yoga and meditation, the entourage fortified not only their physical strength but also nurtured their mental and spiritual health.

A downpour of devotion was experienced as members from the California and Phoenix centres took the stage for expressing their gratitude through dedications. From elegant dances to meaningful skits to singing of verses from Shri Atmasiddhi Shastra and Shri Natak Samaysaar, the dedications moved the audience and left one and all in deep thankfulness and yearning for the Divine.

To envelope seekers in His holy aura, Pujya Gurudevshri arrived in the ‘city of angels’, Los Angeles. Sachin–Kruti Shah were the blessed hosts.

Pujya Gurudevshri delivered two pravachans at the Jain Centre of Southern California and imparted cascades of spiritual insights upon seekers, guiding them to break free from delusion and identify with the true Self. The discourses were attended by Sadhu Divyacharandas and Swami Shantmunidas from BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Sanstha. Also present were Director of Southern California Brahmakumaris Centre, Sister Gitaben Patel and Meditation Teacher at the Brahmakumaris Los Angeles Centre, Sister Vinothiniben Sivasamy. It was a moment of joy when two prestigious proclamations, one by Councilman and Former Mayor of the City of Buena Park, Arthur Brown and the other by the Mayor of the City of Cerritos, Naresh Solanki, were presented to Pujya Gurudevshri for His outstanding contributions to society.

Through padhramanis Pujya Gurudevshri’s radiant kindness extended to aspirants. In a spirit of jubilation, Tushar–Apurvi Shah and Jatan Shah received the Lord in their hearts through pratishthas.

In the heart of the ‘city of trees’, Sacramento, the essence of life bloomed to its fullest as Pujya Gurudevshri graced it for illuminating the path of seekers. Shrikant–Minaxi Shah were the happy hosts.

Delving deep into the profound teachings of the Omniscient Lords through His discourse, Pujya Gurudevshri encouraged seekers to embark on the sacred journey of liberation. Members of the Jain Centre of Greater Sacramento and of the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir lovingly felicitated the Master. Pujya Gurudevshri graced the homes of numerous aspirants with His padhramanis.

Amidst great fervour, a sacred ritual unfolded, characterised by a spirited shobhayatra and a reverent pujan, culminating in the consecration of an idol of Param Krupalu Dev at the Jain Centre of Greater Sacramento.

Pujya Gurudevshri’s visit to Phoenix in the spring of 2024 shall forever remain etched in the hearts of devotees from USA and Canada as it marked the grand Holi Shibir celebrations in the august presence of the beloved Master.

The Master’s three gripping and stirring discourses on Shrimad Rajchandra Vachanamrut Patrank–391 gave seekers a pathway to realising the true Self by having an unbroken resolve to practise listening, contemplating and meditating on the Self without lethargy.

The Holi Shibir also included a riveting session by Atmarpit Nemiji, elevating dedications by devotees, an orchestral performance by children of Shrimad Rajchandra Divinetouch and a soulful bhakti evening by Abi Sampa.

Devotees immersed themselves in true hues of the Divine during the Holi celebrations, revelling in the majestic presence of Pujya Gurudevshri. Aspirants found themselves enveloped in the divine love of the Master throughout the merriments. With tender reverence, Pujya Gurudevshri honoured Param Krupalu Dev’s pratimaji with a turban and offered flowers, which was followed by pujan of the Lord’s Charankamal with colours of love, faith and surrendership. On behalf of everyone Atmarpit Nemiji coloured the Master. Brimming with joy, the seekers joyfully offered colours at the Lotus Feet of the Master, continually bathing in His sublime and selfless love.

In addition to the joyous Holi revelries, Ravi–Nidhi Shah embraced the Lord with heartfelt devotion during pratishtha, their love overflowing through tears of gratefulness.

The ‘garden city’ of New Jersey experienced soothing showers of grace upon Pujya Gurudevshri’s advent. Kamlesh–Dipti Barvalia and Kirti–Rita Desai were the thrilled hosts.

Pujya Gurudevshri’s life-altering discourse at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Edison elucidated on the attainment of the true Self by developing unwavering faith and surrender towards the Enlightened Master.

Transporting seekers into a state of divine delight, Pujya Gurudevshri sanctified several homes with padhramanis. Dinesh–Anila Mehta, Divyang–Trupti Bhansali and Jitendra–Kalpana Shah cemented the Lord in their hearts through a pratishtha ceremony.

Mumukshus of the East Coast had a memorable retreat with Pujya Gurudevshri at ‘Vraj’, the Hindu Mandir at New Jersey. The Master’s two electrifying Udghosh carved the pathway to liberation for devotees. Interesting games with vital life lessons were conducted by Atmarpit Nemiji. Aspirants were blessed with the soulful experience of doing ajnabhakti with the beloved Master. They also aligned their body, mind and spirits with the practice of Yoga with Pujya Gurudevshri. The seekers expressed their gratitude for the Master through eloquent dedications in the form of songs, dances and skits. They had the privilege of savouring a dandiya raas with Pujya Gurudevshri. The Master performed arti of the Yamuna river at Vraj Mandir, which was followed by a divine nrutyabhakti.

The ‘empire city’ of New York ecstatically welcomed the emperor of hearts, Pujya Gurudevshri, where He was fervently hosted by Darshan–Nirali Sanghvi.

An engaging discourse at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Long Island ignited the spirits of seekers as Pujya Gurudevshri illuminated the essence of true religious practice. Through an inspiring Udghosh, the Master urged seekers to embark on the inward journey with passion and perseverance. The Master visited the homes of devotees, blessing them with His presence. In an ambience overflowing with devotion, the home of Kanak–Prabha Golia was blessed with an unforgettable pratishtha.

Pujya Gurudevshri drenched the devotees of United States of America in supreme grace over this month-long period; bringing about a stupendous surge in their love, faith and surrendership to the Divine!