Day 1

Finally after all these years and all this hard work this time has finally come. Those were the opening words of His Holiness Mota Maharajshree's speech this morning. The rapturous round of applause from the thousands in attendance was a fair indication that that His Holiness' sentiments are very much echoed by all. The divine wish of Baapji is finally being realised. His dream is finally being made a reality. This building project is finally becoming the beacon we all imagined.

Yes the Swaminarayan Museum utsav kicked off this morning in the glorious sunshine and backdrop of the city of Ahmedabad. The entire NarNarayan Dev Dharmakul in attendance, Shreemad Satsangi Jeevan recited by the great Nirgun Swami a grand picture of the building itself overlooking the enormous arena. This simply had "greatness" written all over it.

Posters and huge banners have plastered all over Ahmedabad. Swaminarayan Museum. Preservation Plus. 4 words that epitomise the very essence of these celebrations - are being stamped all over the city, the state, the country.

When you first see the venue you are simply in awe of the size of the venue and the structures that have been put up. However if its impossible to imagine how that can be topped it's the number of and dedication being shown by the volunteers. A tried and tested group of loyal and hard working devotees, they have made everyone feel as welcome and comfortable as possible.

Scattered around the ground are extracts of Vachanamruts written by Mota Baapji relating to Shree NarNarayan Dev. Perhaps a reminder to all that none of this would have been possible without the guidance of the great murti and the centre of all of this. The vast backdrop on the stage had pictures of the various landmarks of Ahmedabad. Kalupur mandir, places, ancient monuments, the rail bridge, the city landscape and in the middle of it all - Ahmedabad's newest landmark.

The atmosphere may have been somewhat low key, however you can't help but feel like that a science experiment - things are only beginning to kick off and we're all awaiting with great anticipation the explosion in the end.