Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Loyadham NJ

About

Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Loyadham NJ is a branch of Shree Swaminarayan Gurukul Kandari established by H.D.H Shastri Shri Ghanshyamprakashdasji Swami.

Story

Swaminarayan Faith:

The Swaminarayan faith is a modern tradition of Hinduism in which followers devote and worship Swaminarayan as the supreme lord. This faith has instilled high morals, love and compassion for all irrespective of caste, creed, color or gender. Today the Swaminarayan movement is thriving with millions of followers and thousands of temples worldwide.

Life Sketch of Bhagwan Swaminarayan:

The supreme lord incarnated in the rustic village of Chhappaiya (N. India) on April 3rd, 1781 and was named Ghanshyam. At the age of 3 months, an astrologer named Markandeya revealed to Dharmadev (father) and Bhaktimata (mother) that Ghanshyam is an extraordinary child endowed with virtues of austerity, detachment, leadership, truth. Ghanshyam performed numerous miracles in his tender young age proving his supremacy. For instance, he studied all the holy scriptures including the Vedas, Upanishads etc at a mere age of 7 and formulated a small "Gutko" (book) that stored the essence of those scriptures.

At the tender age of 11 Ghanshyam left his home, Ayodhya, for the Himalayas to begin his life work of establishing Ekantik Dharma. Ghanshyam’s journey through the dense forests and high mountain peaks of India attributed him the name Nilkanth. Throughout his journey, Nilkanth traveled the rigid lands of India barefoot and visited important sacred shrines of India in order to re-infuse sacredness in them, and to redeem countless souls.

After 7 years and over 12,000 km of arduous travelling, Nilkanth visited over 177 shrines, sacred places and monasteries. In 1799, he arrived in the remote village of Loj, Gujarat where he met Muktanand Swami, who was the disciple of Ramanand Swami. As time went by, Ramanand swami addressed to his followers that he had long proclaimed himself as a mere drumbeater in a play, heralding the arrival of the main character “Nilkanth”. A year later in 1801, Ramanand Swami ceremoniously appointed 21 year old Sahajanand Swami as the head of the fellowship in Jetpur.

After gaining leadership, Sahajanand Swami performed many tasks for the improvement of souls. He provided his devotees with the mahamantra Swaminarayan, advocated non-violence, performed social activities such as digging of wells and providing food to the needy, initiated over 2000 saints, gave refuge to over 2 million devotees, built 6 grand temples, wrote the shikshapatri and performed many such activities. Having established an everlasting path of salvation, at the age of 49, Bhagwan Swaminarayan completed his mission on Earth and returned to his divine abode, Akshardham, on June 1st 1830 CE.


The Founder:

HDH. Sadguru Shastri Shri Ghanshyamprakashdasji Swami is the founder of Shree Swaminarayan Gurukul Kandari. Through his divine personality he has positively changed the life of numerous souls.

On May 19th, 1994, by the divine wish of Shri Harikrishna Maharaj, he established Shree Swaminarayan Gurukul Kandari in the village of Kandari – Vadodara, India by which many kids are today attaining religious morals along with an education.

Because of his preaching, thousands of devotees have renounced impious vices and are walking on the path of god. Many youths have been inspired to renounce this world and today there are over 60 sadhus (saints) who have dedicated their lives in order to serve the Swaminarayan faith.

Under his efficient guidance, numerous institutions such as Vadodara Gurukul, Navli gurukul, Loyadham – India, Loyadham - NJ (USA) and Loyadham – Macon (USA) are being operated as centers of spiritual and educational learning along with social service.

Since the past 6 years, he has been in the service of Harikrishna Maharaj (Vadtal) as the chairman of Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Vadtal and currently serving as its mukhya kothari. While in service, he has improved the image of the temple by performing innovative tasks that have never been performed before. Being inspired by his self-sacrificing services, many senior saints of the Swaminarayan sect. have stated that their eyes have never witnessed such a noble saint performing the service of Harikrishna Maharaj.

Due to the presence of God in him, his life continues to inspire numerous saints and devotees in the Swaminarayan Sect. today.

Bhagwan Swaminarayan conveyed the message of value-based education. He wrote in the Shikshapatri, “propagating true education in the world is the noblest work of all”. Following this principle, H.D.H Shastriji Swami Shri Ghanshyamprakashdasji established ‘Shri Swaminarayan Gurukul’, in the year of 1994 in Kandari, Gujarat (India). The Shri Swaminarayan Gurukul has brought back our ancient system of ‘Gurukul’ in order to spread modern education along with religious virtues within the young generation. In the present day, over 450 students reside in the Gurukul. Events such as Vyasan Mukti, Disaster-relief, Satsang Sabha, Brahmasatra make this Gurukul organization a triangle of educational, social, and spiritual service offered to the society.

Another Gurukul in the name of Swaminarayan Sanskar Pith – (SSP), located in Navli (Anand), was established for students studying in English medium schools. This international school is the center of education for more than 250 students.

Swaminarayan Gurukul Vadodara is the
hub of Satsang Pravrutti. Saints provide special training to Yuvaks to live prosperous spiritual lives even in today's adverse circumstances. In addition, weekly satsang sabha, regular bhaktiyagnas, bal sabha are few of its activities. Moreover, since the past 3 years, over 250 underprivileged people are provided free food in ‘slum’ areas of the city.

Swaminarayan Mandir Loyadham in the Surendranagar district is one of the most important and holiest places of pilgrimage. It is where Lord Swaminarayan has spoken 18 Vachanamruts, and performed the first grand festival of Shakotsav. Bhagwan Swaminarayan also built the first ‘Hari Mandir’ of the sampraday in Loya. Today, Sadguru Shastriji Swami Shri Ghanshyamprakashdasji Swami has performed the task of renovating the sacred Hari-mandir and has established the idol of Shri Ghanshyam Maharaj. Not only that, but a primary school, a hospital, and a gaushala have also been built in the village. Plus, the work of a new ‘Shikharbaddh Mandir’ is a project currently in progress.

Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Loyadham - Macon is the first temple established by Pujya Guruji in USA. Here, many religious activities such as weekly sabha, bal sabha along with music class etc. provide spiritual uplifting to devotees.

Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Loyadham - NJ is home to Piyuda Shri Ghanshyam Maharaj where Saints serve devotees in USA and all over the world with daily Live Katha. Every Saturday, an assembly of about 250 devotees is held where spiritual lectures are given.

Furthermore, youths who have been brought up in the American society are provided satsang sanskar by Saints in English. In addition, annually, Youth Shibir is organized by Loyadham Mandir and more than 150 kids and youths take part in this event.

In order to share the Swaminarayan Satsang, Loyadham Mandir has its chapters and centers in many other states such as Chicago, IL; Tampa, FL; and Springfield, KY. Internationally, there are centers in Toronto, Canada and the United Kingdom.

Mission

Bhagwan Swaminarayan conveyed the message of value-based education. He wrote in the Shikshapatri - propagating true education in the world is the noblest work of all. Following this principle, for the betterment of society and for the noble cause of nourishing and spreading the divine commands of Lord Shri Swaminarayan, our pujya Guruji, P. Pu Sadguru Shastriji Swami Shri Ghanshyamprakashdasji established ‘Shri Swaminarayan Gurukul’, in the year of 1994 in Kandari near Vadodara, Gujarat (India). This work has brought back our ancient system of ‘Gurukul’ in order to spread modern education along with religious virtues within the young generation. Today, this Gurukul organization has become a triangle of educational, social, and spiritual service offered to the society.

Each year, more than 100 students are provided free education at the Gurukul along with 300 other students. Those who cannot afford to pay for private school, can easily obtain good education along with free accommodations and food. Plus, whenever any natural disaster takes place in India or abroad,the Gurukul provides its services with the help of its volunteers and donors. Along with social activities,spiritual activities are also a big part of the Gurukul's activities. The founder, our pujya Guruji, has a dedicated team of highly educated saints and committed devotees in order to preach the divine message of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. Bal-Mandal, Yuvak-Mandal, and Parivar Sabha are the different weekly and monthly turnouts where devotees are taught lessons to live a prosperous religious life. In addition, every year, the Gurukul organizes "Brahmsatra", a formal week-long religious seminar where more than 1000 devotees take part in. In short, this Gurukul organization serves society through education, spiritual, and social services. By examining them, we can say that main purpose of this Gurukul is to provide good education with spirituality.

For the nourishment of kids studying in English medium schools, Pu. Guruji has established Swaminarayan Sanskar Pith – (SSP) International School at Navli (Anand). This international school is the center of education for more than 250 students.

Swaminarayan Gurukul Vadodara is the hub of Yuva Pravuti. Saints provides special training to Yuvaks to live prosperous spiritual lives even in today's adverse circumstances. Moreover, 250 underprivileged people are provided free food in ‘slum’ areas of the city.

Swaminarayan Mandir Loyadham in the Surendranagar district is one of the most important and holiest places of pilgrimage. Bhagwan Swaminarayan built the first ‘Hari Mandir’ of the sampraday in Loya. Against the test of time, this first Hari Mandir required renovation. For this, P.P. Sadguru Shastriji Swami Shri Ghanshyamprakashdasji took in hand the job to renovate this mandir. Guruji has led the work successfully and today devotees can have the darshan of Shri Ghanshyam Maharaj in the renovated mandir. Plus, the work of new ‘Shikharbandh Mandir’ is currently a project in progress.

Since 1981, Pu. Guruji travels to different countries and preaches about the Swaminarayan movement. Due to Pu. Guruji's constant efforts, Satsang gradually progressed in USA and in a few years, many devotees requested for a temple. Hence, for the betterment of all, Pu. Guruji has established ‘Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Loyadham Macon-GA and Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Loyadham-NJ’.

Saints currently reside at Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Loyadham - NJ in the service of Piyuda ShriGhanshyam Maharaj and serve devotees with daily Live Katha. Every Saturday, an assembly of about 250 devotees is held where spiritual lectures are given. Furthermore, youths who have been brought up in the American society are provided satsang sanskar by Saints in English. In addition, annually, Youth Shibir is organized by Loyadham Mandir and more than 150 kids and youths take part in this event. In order to disperse the Swaminarayan Satsang, Loyadham Mandir has its chapters and centers in many other states such as Chicago, IL; Tampa, FL and; Toronto, Canada as well.

"Mane Madya Je Maharaj, Sama Jiv Ne Aapva Che" - Pujya Guruji

Impressum

Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Loyadham - NJ is home to Piyuda Shree Ghanshyam Maharaj where Saints serve devotees in USA and all over the world with daily Live Katha. Every Saturday, an assembly of about 250 devotees is held where spiritual lectures are given. Furthermore, youths who have been brought up in the American society are provided satsang sanskar by Saints in English.