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Acharya Shree Raghuvirji Maharaj

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Acharya Shree Bhagvatprasadji Maharaj

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Acharya Shree Viharilalji Maharaj

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Acharya Shree Laxmiprasadji Maharaj

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Acharya Shree Shripatiprasadji Maharaj

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Acharya Shree Anandprasadji Maharaj

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Acharya Shree Narendraprasadji Maharaj

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Acharya Shree Ajendraprasadji Maharaj

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Acharya Shree Rakeshprasadji Maharaj

After initiating a tradition of looking after the entire Fellowship in the hands of the persons from his own family-line Lord Swaminarayan established two high seats of religion, one at Vadtal and the other at Ahmedabad. The first person to occupy the Laxminarayan Dev Gadi of Vadtal was H.H. Acharya Shri Raghuvirji Maharaj and seven other Acharyas (cardinal chiefs) followed him in the tradition.

Guru Parampara

Prior to the birth of Shree Hari, there was a sabha held in Badrikashram, the home of Shree Narnarayan Dev. Dharmadev, Bhaktidevi, Uddhavji and other sages were present in the sabha where they were explaing to Shree Narnarayan Dev all of the sin taking place on earth. As they were speaking, Durvasa Muni entered the sabha from behind. Because those in the sabha were engrossed in speaking to Shree Narnarayan Dev, they did not have a chance to welcome him. This led to Durvasa Muni giving a curse to everyone in the sabha that they would be reborn onto the earth, and Shree Narnarayan Dev would be reborn to Dharmadev and Bhaktidevi. Upon receiving the curse, Shree Narnarayan Dev stated that the curse was given by his own wish.
 
Thereafter, Dharmadev was born in Itaar, a small village in Uttar Pradesh on Kartik Sud-11, Samvat 1796 and Bhaktidevi was born in Chhapaiya on Kartik Sud-15, Samvat 1798. Upon growing up, both were married and at the end of the wedding ceremony, it was decided Dharmadev would stay in Chhapaiya. While they both lived spiritual lives, they were harrased and berated by evil people which forced them to move to places like Ayodhya and Prayaag Raj. Through many hardships, their problems were relieved by Shree Hanumanji and they moved back to Chhapaiya. In Samvat 1837 on Chaitra Sud-9 at 10:10 pm, the Supreme Almighty Lord of countless of universes, Shree Hari was born to Dharmadev and Bhaktidevi. 
 
While the ladies of Chhapaiya named Shree Hari “Ghanshyam,” he was given four names by Markenday Muni: Hari, Krushna, Harikrushna, and Nilkanth. As a child, Shree Hari revealed his divine powers by performing worldly acts like that of a child. 

Birth Upon Earth

At the young age of 11, Shree Hari, in the form of Nilkanth Varni, left the comfort of his home and embarked on a journey that no human could go on. He embarked on his journey with nothing except a shaligram idol, a bowl for begging, a small scripture tied around his neck, and a cloth around his waist. In total, he walked more than 7,400 miles from Northern to Southern India through treacherous mountains and the depths of joungles in the country, without any sort of food and left hungry many days. 
 
Notably, Nilkanth Varni performed severe penance in Phulashram and meditated upon Shree Suryanarayan Dev for four months. From the Himalayas, he made his way all the way down to Jaganathpuri where he liberated countless of souls and did not accept offers to be made a King from Queens like Butolnagar’s Mayarani. 

Journey Across India 

After 7 years, 1 month, 11 days of his journey, Nilkanth Varni arrived in the village of Loej, Gujarat on Shravan Vad- 6, Samvat 1856. There he sat near a step-well where women were going to fill water and encountered a sage named Sukhanand Swami. Swami approached Nilkanth Varni who explained to him his guru Ramanand Swami’s aashram is located in the village and invited Nilkanth Varni to come.
 
Whereas Nilkanth Varni could not be stopped in his journey, upon entering the aashram and meeting Ramanand Swami’s main disciple Muktanand Swami, Nilkanth Varni remained in Loej. He knew of Ramanand Swami as he was his parents’ guru and Nilkanth Varni also accepted him as his guru. He was named Sarjudas and performed worldly seva such as collecting cow dung for the aashram and he taught the santo in Loej ashtang yog.
 
Upon staying in Loej for ten months, Nilkanth Varni eventually met Ramanand Swami in Piplana for the first time. He was initiated as a priest on Kartik Sud- 11, Samvat 1857 and was given the names Sahajanand Swami and Narayan Munidev. Thereafter on that same date in Samvat 1858, Sahajanand Swami was named to the throne of Ramanand Swami at the mere age of 21 years in Jetpur. 
 
Shortly after giving Shree Hari the throne, Ramanand Swami left for his heavenly abode in Fareni. On the 13th day after Ramanand Swami’s departure, Shree Hari held a big sabha in Farneni where he told all his followers, whereas everyone chants the name of different avatars of God, he will give one name for his followers to chant. In the sabha, he gave the name “Swaminarayan” and declared to his followers to chant this name as it is the supreme mantra. 
 
Many of Shree Hari’s main life events as described took place in the Sorath region of Gujarat. In villages such as Mangrol, Shree Hari also performed samadhi and continued the Sadavrat (feeding centers) as started by Ramanand Swami. He also initiated all 500 paramhanso in Kalvani, which is the same place Muktanand Swami performed the first aarti, “Jay Sadguru Swami.” Later in his life, Shree Hari also played the divine raas in Panchala where one form of Shree Hari played raas with one sant and delivered Vachanamruts. In this way, the importance and glory of Sorath and its villages cannot be overstated. 

Grace upon Sorath

Shree Hari made a significant social impact across Gujarat and made it a mission to improve quality of life of people living there. He constructed wells in villages like Mangrol and Kariyani to ensure people had access to water. He also stopped the inhumane practice of drowning new born baby girls in milk to protect the sanctitiy of life and also helped people live their lives free from drug addictions. 
 
Additionally, in a time where many people performed animal sacrifices during yagnas, Shree Hari stopped this violent practice. Instead, he preached for non-violence and advocated for non-violent yagnas as consistent with the Veds.

Social Works

In order to grant his eternal blessings and liberate countless of souls, Shree Hari decided to build mandirs in Gujarat. It is documented in Purshottam Prakash that whomever does any seva of a mandir, they will receive everlasting peace in Akshardham as a result. 
 
Shree Hari sent Anandanand Swami to build the first mandir in Ahmedabad, which was built on land gifted by the British government. On Fagan Sud- 3, Samvat 1878, Shree Hari installed his own form of Shree Narnarayan Dev in the central sinhasan. 
 
Then, he sent Vaishnavanand Swami to build a mandir in Bhuj, Kutch where he also installed his own form of Shree Narnarayan Dev on Vaishak Sud-5, Samvat 1879. In 2001, there was a massive earthquake in Bhuj which destroyed much of the original mandir. As a result, a new mandir was constructed in Bhuj and the murtis of Shree Narnarayan Dev were moved there. 
 
Shree Hari instructed Brahmanand Swami to build a mandir in Vadtal. Despite many thinking the mandir would be small, Swami built a large mandir with 9 shikars. On Kartik Sud- 12, Samvat 1881, Shree Hari installed his own form of Shree Laxminarayan Dev in the main sinhasan, Shree Radha Vrundavan Vihari Lal and Harikrushna Maharaj in the left dome, and Shree Dharma Bhakti Vasudev in the right sinhasan.
 
Then, by his own wish, Shree Hari wanted to build a mandir in Dholera. He sent Niskulanand Swami, Adbhutanand Swami, and Bhaiatmanand Swami to build the mandir in a region known for little access to water. On Vaishakh Sud- 13, Samvat 1882, Shree Hari installed his own form of Shree Madanmohanji Maharaj in the main sinhasan.
 
Thereafter, Shree Hari sent Brahmanand Swami to construct a mandir in Junagadh which was a princley state of the British government under Muslim rule. Despite opposition from local brahmins, Swami received support from the city’s ruler and constructed a large mandir. On Vaishakh Vad- 2, Samvat 1884, Shree Hari installed his own form of Shree Radharaman Dev in the left sinhasan, Shree Ranchod Trikam Rai in the central sinhasan, and Shree Siddheshwar Mahadev in the right dome. Upon completing pratishta, he prayed to Mahadev and asked him to fulfill the wishes of all his devotees who came before him, thus name him “Siddheshwar.”
 
Then Shree Hari himself helped build a mandir in Gadhpur which was his home. He carried bricks on own pagh during the mandir’s construction and had Narayanji Suthar carve out the murti of Shree Gopinathji Maharaj. This murti depicts the exact measurements of Shree Hari’s body and was installed in the central sinhasan on Aaso Sud- 12, Samvat 1885. 
 
Upon completing pratishta in the six mandirs, Shree Hari performed aarti and told all his devotees that he will forever be present in the murtis he installed. To this day, Shree Hari fulfills the wishes of his devotees and grants them eternal happiness through these murtis. 

Creation of Mandirs 

Once, Bhrigu Rushi asked Naradji how his daughter Shree Laxmiji could marry Narayan Bhagwan. In response, Naradji told Shree Laxmiji to perform penance under a berry tree and upon doing so, Narayan Bhagwan became pleased with her. He promised her he would marry her and remain with her forever in Vadtal. 
 
Brahmanand Swami was instructed to build the mandir in Vadtal which he constructed with 900,000 bricks in its foundation and made it in the shape of a lotus. During the construction, Shree Hari also carried bricks upon his pagh for the mandir. 
 
On Kartik Sud- 12, Samvat 1881, Shree Hari installed Shree Laxminarayan Dev in the central sinhasan. He told his devotees that this is the same murtis as those in Vaikunth and whoever comes to Vadtal every poonam will have their worldly desires fulfilled and will attain Akshardham. He also installed his own form of Shree Harikrushna Maharaj which is the form of Shree Hari that resides in Akshardham. In fact, Shree Hari’s fingerprint is still seen today in the murti of Shree Harikrushna Maharaj from the pratishta. He also installed the murtis of Dharmadev, Bhaktimata, and Vasudevji which is his own form as well. 
 
In Shreemad Satsangi Jeevan, Shatanand Swami writes “Vruttalye Sah Bhagwan Jayatih Sakshat.” He writes Shree Hari himself is living in his present form in Vadtal in the form of Shree Harikrushna Maharaj. 
 
The importance of Vadtal cannot be stated enough, it is said even Sheshnarayan cannot sing the full glory of Vadtal. Shree Harileela Kalpatru, that if one says “Vruttale” once, then the sins of 7 births are destroyed. Shree Gopalanand Swami wrote Sarvopari Shree Archavatar Stotram to sing the glory of Shree Vadtal Dham as well. Specifically, Swami wrote “Rajante Sarve Tirthani Yatracha Sarva Devatah, Vandeham Tirthrajam Tat Dham Vruttalyebhidam” which expresses how Vadtal is the King of all tirths.
 
Vadtal is known as the supreme site of the Swaminarayan sampraday and is the headquarter of Shree Laxminarayan Dev Gadi. As the President of Vadtal’s Satsang Maha Sabha Shree Nautamprakashdasji Swami famously stated, “Vadtal is the final destination.” In other words, every devotee of Shree Hari has to come to Vadtal at least once where they can do darshan of Shree Hari’s living form. 

Importance of Vadtal Mandir 

On Maha Sud-5, Samvat 1882, Shree Hari blessed his devotees and wrote the Shikshapatri in Sanskrit in Shree Hari Mandap which is located in Vadtal. Containing only 212 shloks, this Shikshapatri is the guiding scripture for the lives of Shree Hari’s devotees and was written for the benefit of all of mankind. It takes the essence of all the Hindu shastras such as the 4 Veds and 18 Purans and provides dharma (code of conduct) for humans to follow.  
 
Shree Hari writes in the Shikshapatri that those who follow the dharma outlined in it will attain everlasting happiness in both this world and in the next. It is a direct guide by the Supreme Lord himself to the masses to ultimately attain Akshardham.

Shikshapatri

In order to guide all of his devotees on the path to liberation, Shree Hari established two Acharyas as his spiritual successors in Vadtal on Kartik Sud-11, Samvat 1882. He adopted his older brother Rampratapji’s son Ayodhyaprasadji and his younger brother Iccharam’s son Raghuvirji. He gave them the throne of the Swaminarayan Sampraday by making them as the Acharyas of Ahmedabad Gadi and Vadtal Gadi, respectively. 
 
The Acharyas come from “Dharmakul” which is the family of Shree Dharmadev. Shree Hari declared them as the Guru of all Santos, Bramcharis, Parshads, Sankhyogis, and householders. 
 
Per Shree Hari’s command, only the Acharya is allowed to perform murti pran pratishta in mandirs, initiate males into priesthood as santo, and give guru mantra to male devotees. The spouse of Acharya known as “Shree Gadiwala” can only initiate females into priesthood as sankhyogis and give guru mantra to female devotees. The original Swaminarayan Sampraday is the only group which has a separate guru for both male and female devotees. 
 
Shree Hari selected for the Acharyas to be householders born into his own Dharmakul family. Ramanand Swami had instructed Dharmadev to give guru mantra to males and Bhaktimata to give guru mantra to females; similarly, Shree Hari kept this same process in place by having the Acharya lead the male devotees and Gadiwala lead the female devotees. 
 
In Purshotam Prakash, Niskulanand Swami writes the glory of Acharyas as articulated by Shree Hari. In exaplining their greatness, Shree Hari says all his devotees should serve Dharmakul and think of them as great devta. He commands his devotees including santo, parshads, and bhakto to listen to Acharyas through their mind, actions, and words and abide by his wishes. Shree Hari says that whoever has made the Acharyas happy has made him happy. 
 
Shree Hari further states that he resides within the Acharyas and gives darshan to his devotees through them. Importantly, Shree Hari clearly states that the Acharyas sit on his throne and is in place of him. Whoever welcomes the Acharyas, worships them, and serves them is directly serving Shree Hari. 

Establishing the Acharyas 

The Desh Vibhag no Lekh was written at the command of Shree Hari on Maghshar Sud- 15, Samavt 1883 in Gadhour by his personal secretary, Sukh Muni. It was written in the presence of 12 witnesses including Muktanand Swami, Gopalanand Swami, Mulji Bramchari, Dada Khachar, and Ramji Thakkar. 
 
This document explicitly states the power of the Acharyas as the spiritual successors of Shree Hari and the heads of the Swaminarayan Sampraday. It outlines the geographic boundaries of Ahmedabad and Vadtal Gadis and outlines the process for Acharyas to select their successors. In the end, Shree Hari none of his followers should deviate from what is written in the Desh Vibhag no Lekh and states whoever does is betraying Shree Hari’s words, betraying a guru, and is not Shree Hari’s

Desh Vibhag no Lekh

Lord Swaminarayan

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Shree Swaminarayan Mandir, Vadtal

Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Kalupur, Ahmedabad

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Shree Swaminarayan Temple Bhuj 

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Shree Swaminarayan Mandir, Gadhda

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Shree Swaminarayan Mandir, Junagadh

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Shree Swaminarayan Mandir - Dholera Dham

Devanand Swami was born as Devidan in Kartik Sud 15, VS 1859 in a town called Barol. Devanand Swami was respected by all followers as he observed obsolete celibacy, deep devotion to Lord Swaminarayan and saintliness towards other saints. Devanand Swami was one of the eight leading poets

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Premanand Swami was born as Hathiram in the town of Dora Bharuch in VS 1840. He was a born poet, many of his hymns are sung daily by devotees. Premanand Swami composed the words of the Chesta Pad, which is sung and recited daily at all Swaminarayan temples.

 Premanand_Swami

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Gopalanand Swami was born as Khushal Bhatt in Monday, Maha Sud 8, 1837 in a town called Todla (Idr area). At Gadhpur, Khusal Bhatt was given Bhagwati Diksha on Samvat 1864 Kartik Vad 8 and was given the name of Gopalanand Swami.

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Gunatitanand Swami was born as Mul Sharma in VS 1841, in the town of Bhadra in Gujarat. His father was called Bhodanath and his mother was called Sakarba. He always saw the divine image of the Lord.

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Nityanand Swami was born as Dinmani Sharma in VS 1837, Kartik Sud 5 in a town called Dantiya. He was one of the saints to write Vachanmrut and he translated the Shikshapatri in Gujurati which was authenticated by Lord Swaminarayan.

Lord Swaminarayan

Guru Parampara

Acharya Shree Raghuvirji Maharaj

Acharya Shree Bhagvatprasadji Maharaj

Acharya Shree Viharilalji Maharaj

Acharya Shree Laxmiprasadji Maharaj

Acharya Shree Shripatiprasadji Maharaj

Acharya Shree Anandprasadji Maharaj

Acharya Shree Narendraprasadji Maharaj

Acharya Shree Ajendraprasadji Maharaj

Acharya Shree Rakeshprasadji Maharaj

NAND SAINTS

Devanand Swami

Premanand Swami

Gopalanand Swami

Gunatitanand Swami

Nityanand Swami

Temples