Shree Swaminarayan Museum

Shree Swaminarayan Museum, Ahmedabad

During a yuvak mandal conference back in early 2004, an announcement was made regarding the Shashti Purti Mahotsav that will be taking place in April of that year.  The Utsav itself wasn’t the big announcement – as practically all of 2003 was spent promoting the utsav worldwide.  Instead the big news – for me anyway – was that all the proceeds raised from the utsav will go towards the creation of a Swaminarayan Museum in Ahmedabad.  My first impression - Wow. During my Satsang years, I've always been used to hearing about new Temple projects or schools. So this was vey much a pleasant surprise.

A bonafide purpose-built museum that will house everything that was either owned by or came in contact with Almighty Supreme Shree Swaminarayan Bhagwan.  It’s not like I hadn’t seen items of prasadi before.  I mean I’ve lost count at the amount of artifacts that are scattered in holy places like Ahmedabad, Vadtal, Gadhada, Jetalpur etc.  This was different.  Everything will be housed in one building and most importantly protected. Swaminarayan Bhagwan’s entire life will be encapsulated in a building where people will get to see His belongings, His clothes, His pooja items etc. 

"Amaro Chelo Sankalp"
His Holiness Retired Acharya
Shree Tejendraprasadji Maharaj

His Holiness Shree Tejendraprasadji Maharaj – or affectionately known as “Baapji” – dreamt of establishing a museum for years.  In the initial promotional material released by Kalupur temple, the heading was “Amaaro Chelo Sankalp” – loosely translated to “My last resolve”.  For over 35 years, His Holiness had tirelessly devoted Himself to the Sampraday. Establishing temples, gurukuls, Satsang Chapters, educational institutions, Yuvak Mandals, and the Jay Shree Swaminarayan TV serial.  Yet He had one last mission – The Swaminarayan Museum.  As well as His own personal collections His Holiness was going to provide, Baapji knew the key was to encourage devotees who had acquired or have inherited these prasadi items to donate them to the museum.  Baapji knew this was a bold and ambitious project and so would need His full attention to ensure the dream can materialise. Baapji therefore voluntarily retired from the Gadi and handed over the duties to His son, His Holiness Lalji Maharaj 108 Shree Koshalendraprasadji Maharaj.

His Holiness Acharya 1008
Shree Koshalendraprasadji Maharaj

Now when I retire in about 30 years time or when many of you retire (providing our pensions haven't completely gone down the drain) - we tend to get the image of our children all grown up looking after us. Some will most likely rotate their time between here and India - maximising the value of the 6th month Visa or OCI. I will mostly likely be playing Call of Duty 20 with my son or daughter. However since Baapji retired, He hasn't actually stopped working. He has since devoted His entire time to the museum project. Overseeing the construction and planning the historic legacy it will leave behind.  I've been to many museums, and I’ve been immensely engrossed in the deep history and culture associated with the items on display.  I simply cannot wait to visit the Swaminarayan Museum and be completely blown away.  

Swaminarayan Museum is scheduled to open in March 2011, and will coincide with the patotsav of Shree Swaminarayan Temple, Kalupur, Ahmedabad.