Lord Mahavir Swami Janma Kalyanak and Lord Simandhar Swami Keval Gnan Kalyanak
On Sunday 25th April 2021, the UK celebrated, virtually, but with full devotion and bhav bhakti a very auspicious day: Lord Mahavir Swami’s Janma Kalyanak (Birthday) and Lord Simandhar Swami’s Kevalgnan Kalyanak (day of Attaining Absolute Knowledge).
The celebrations commenced with prayers followed by special videos to understand the importance of praying to Simandhar Swami – the current living Tirthankar in Mahavideh Kshetra (a neighbouring world in the universe). As is the tradition started by Dada Bhagwan, it is important to introspect and do Pratikraman for all people encountered in this life. The scene was set for this by reading specific pages from the Pratikraman book that explained how one begins samayik (introspection).
We then moved on to the main event – devotion to Simandhar Swami by doing Prakshal Pujan along with Live National Bhakti. This was the first time that over 200 households in the UK did Prakshal of their Simandhar Swami murtis (idol) simultaneously. The Prakshal Pujan consisted of the following:
- Bathing Simandhar Swami murti in warm water and milk.
- Wiping the Simandhar Swami murti with a dry cloth.
- Applying Chandan (sandalwood powder) and rice to the Simandhar Swami murti.
- Offering flowers to Simandhar Swami.
- Offer homemade prasad to Simandhar Swami and then sharing it with the family.
Whilst mahatmas were performing the above, there was live bhav Bhakti, where mahatmas representing all the 15 Centres of UK were singing Simandhar Swami’s Gnan Bhakti songs.
The event was instrumental in Mahatmas reaffirming their intention of practicing Dada’s Agnas such that all can be born at the lotus feet of Simandhar Swami in the next life, and then progress on to Moksh (experience the bliss of ultimate liberation).
