Day 2 - 100% NarNarayan Dev

The heat and the crowd is increasing gradually. The anticipation continues to build. India were victorious in the cricket too so you could forgive the public for being slightly full of enthusiasm. Today we got to see the abhishek of Rang Mahol Ghanahyam Maharaj and Aarti of Shree NarNarayan Dev - both performed by Mota Baapji. That experience alone made waking up at 4.00am worthwhile. We also got to hear more of Mota Baapji's blessings as well as those of His Holiness Acharya Maharajshree. I hadn't realised that Mota Baapji had this idea of a museum at an early age - in fact it was a conversation with His father His Holiness Devendraprasadji Maharaj where Baapji first suggested that all these prasadi items should be kept together. Mota Baapji declared that He is actually the chief host of this utsav and the only gift he asks for is for people to do darshan of NarNarayan Dev and then to visit the Museum straight after. The Swaminarayan Museum "belongs 100% to Shree NarNarayan Dev". 

His Holiness Acharya Maharajshree spoke about the need for transparency and the origins of Preservation Plus. Baapji was very adamant in insisting that the expense and costings of the entire project be disclosed to everyone as He believed it is the right of the haribhaktos. Baapji also mentioned how at one point He even wondered if this project will go ahead. Such was the magnitude and scale of this project that it is very much worth emphasising the extremely Herculean effort that was put in by the Dharmakul, swamis, committee members, international devotees and the actual workers themselves. All this as Baapji said was for the cause of Preservation. The need to preserve prasadi items, the environment, our values and ethics etc. Waves of clapping and cheering began to dominate the sabha as Baapji said how this green initiative by a religious institution is the first of it's kind in India. 

I think everyday I should mention the work carried out by the volunteers as I simply cannot stress enough their importance in this utsav. Fresh cold water provided around the clock, medical assistance, security, general help, fantastic food. All in the name of seva. His Holiness Lalji Maharaj joined to play Raas Garba with the devotees in the evening.  That alone probably made the hard work very much worthwhile.