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Notes: All timings are represented in 12-hour notation in local time of Lancaster, United States with DST adjustment (if applicable).
Hours which are past midnight are suffixed with next day date. In Panchang day starts and ends with sunrise.
According to the Hindu Panchang, on the Navami Tithi of Shukla Paksha in the month of Chaitra, in Vikram Samvat 1837, Shri Swaminarayan Ji, the founder and Ishta Devata of the Swaminarayan Sampradaya, was born. He is also known as Sahajanand Swami and Bhagwan Swaminarayan. Therefore, His devotees celebrate Swaminarayan Jayanti on the same day as Chaitra Shukla Navami, which is also observed as Rama Navami. This festival is celebrated as the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Swaminarayan.
According to the Gregorian calendar, Shri Swaminarayan was born on April 3, 1781, in a village named Chhapaiya in Uttar Pradesh, which is located near Ayodhya. His childhood name was Ghanshyam. His father's name was Hariprasad Pandey, and his mother's name was Premavati. Hariprasad Pandey was also known as Dharmadeva, and his mother Premavati was known as Bhakti Mata or Murti Devi. Shri Swaminarayan Ji had two brothers: his elder brother was Rampratap Pandey, and his younger brother was Ichcharam Pandey.
From childhood, Ghanshyam was extremely brilliant, religious, and compassionate. At a very young age, he acquired profound knowledge of the Vedas, Upanishads, and scriptures from his father. After the demise of his parents, he renounced worldly life and embraced Sannyasa. During his ascetic life, he was known as Nilkantha Varni. Thereafter, he traveled across India, visiting many sacred places, spreading Yoga and Dharma, and striving to eliminate social evils prevalent in society.
In due course, Shri Swaminarayan Ji reached Gujarat, where he accepted Shri Ramanand Swami as his Guru and received initiation from him. After the passing of Shri Ramanand Swami, Shri Swaminarayan Ji established the Swaminarayan Sampradaya and propagated Dharma, Ahimsa, Satya, and righteous conduct. Bhagwan Swaminarayan carried out many significant reforms in society, such as opposing addiction and violence, supporting the dignity and education of women, rejecting superstition, and promoting moral living and devotion. His teachings are compiled in the scriptures known as Shikshapatri and Vachanamrita, which serve as guiding texts for his followers.
According to the scriptures of the Swaminarayan Sampradaya, after fulfilling all the purposes of His incarnation, Bhagwan Swaminarayan renounced the intake of food and water as well as worldly activities. On the Dashami Tithi of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Jyeshtha, in Vikram Samvat 1883, corresponding to June 1, 1830, He relinquished His physical body through yogic practices.
On this day, devotees of Shri Swaminarayan observe Nirjala Vrat. The day is spent in worship, devotion, and remembrance of Bhagwan. In the evening, religious discourses, Bhajans, Kirtans, and Satsang are organized collectively. In many places, grand processions, i.e., Shobha Yatra of Shri Swaminarayan Ji are also taken out.
In addition, important events from the life of Shri Swaminarayan Ji are also reenacted. According to traditional beliefs, Shri Swaminarayan Ji was born at around 10 PM. Therefore, at night, a special cradle ceremony is arranged with the idol of Bhagwan placed in a swing. Thereafter, after performing a grand Aarti, Prasada is distributed among the devotees.
