GRAND ‘VISHWA SHANTI MAHAYAGYA’ HELD AT SWAMINARAYAN AKSHARDHAM, DELHI

Raj Sadosh/Abohar.

On the auspicious occasion of Vijayadashami, a grand ‘Vishwa Shanti Mahayagya’ was held at Swaminarayan Akshardham Mandir in New Delhi. Thirty swamis and mahants, who had come from many mandirs across India and abroad, offered Vedic prayers for world peace. Thousands of devotees took part in this sacred ritual as yajmans (hosts of the yagna) and made auspicious resolutions.

For this special festival, the entire Akshardham complex was decorated with rangoli, colourful flags and festoons. The Mahayagya began at 6:00 am, with the swamis chanting Vedic mantras. In keeping with Vedic tradition, sacred offerings were made in 108 yagna kunds. Large numbers of women and children were also present at today’s celebration.

Guruhari Mahant Swami Maharaj, the head of BAPS, had initiated this World Peace Yagna. Since then, a World Peace Mahayagya has been held every year at the Akshardham complex on the occasion of Dussehra.

On this occasion, the message of Mahant Swami Ji Maharaj was reiterated: “May the atmosphere of war, violence and chaos that exists anywhere in the world today come to an end soon. May everyone live in love, harmony and brotherhood. May faith, devotion and steadfastness arise in everyone’s life. This is our prayer at the feet of Bhagwan Swaminarayan!”

On this festival, which symbolises the victory of good over evil, devotees prayed not only for themselves but for the spread of peace, unity and fraternity across the whole world. All those present also resolved to give up negativity, ego and hatred in their lives and to embrace positivity.