Festival of Bliss

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For the very first time on American soil, the serene grounds of Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram, USA became the sacred stage for history in the making – the commencement of Pujya Gurudevshri’s 60th Birth Anniversary year. This momentous occasion, fondly known as The Festival of Bliss, was a symphony of devotion, gratitude, and unbounded joy. Let us reminisce those graceful moments and get elevated.

‘Festival of Bliss’ – a historic, three-day celebration commencing the 60th birth anniversary year of Pujya Gurudevshri was commemorated from 26th to 28th September. The region of Poconos, Pennsylvania, radiated with an ethereal energy as Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram, USA welcomed thousands of seekers from across continents, cultures, and backgrounds; uniting hearts in profound gratitude, inner transformation, and joyful remembrance of the spiritual Master’s gloriously purposeful life.

The Ashram came alive on the night of 25th September. At the stroke of midnight, seekers gathered to usher in the milestone of Pujya Gurudevshri’s 60th year commencement. The atmosphere was filled with a melody of connecting songs, creating a tapestry of devotion that bound every heart with the Master in reverence.

The morning of 26th September unfolded with grandeur as Pujya Gurudevshri was welcomed on stage with a vibrant dance. He was offered a garland, a life-sized card, and a towering six-foot bouquet; each symbolising the love of countless hearts. The entire gathering joined in heartfelt musical wishing ‘Happy Birthday Bapaji’, filling the hall with euphoria. A magnificent sixty-foot cake was presented, which He cut along with seekers who shared their birthday on the same day. Amidst the soothing strains of cello, trumpet, and violins, a moving dedication titled ‘Kaho ne Gurudev… Aapni paase evu te shu’ was offered, while simultaneously a painter captured Pujya Gurudevshri’s presence in a live portrait on stage.

During the Festival, Pujya Gurudevshri blessed seekers with three profound pravachans, each illuminating a distinct dimension of the spiritual journey.

The discourse explained that the human birth is only a potential, and true human life begins when that potential blossoms into awakening. Using the imagery of a seed becoming a flower, Pujya Gurudevshri showed how life gains fragrance and beauty only when one turns inward.

This pravachan focused on the inner battle against passions and inclination towards sensual pleasures. Pujya Gurudevshri emphasised that victory requires faith and determination. He urged seekers not to remain in despondency but to transform regret into renewed effort, showing that liberation is attainable through perseverance.

Amidst the sacred atmosphere of the Atmarpit Diksha, Pujya Gurudevshri highlighted that awakening is true life. He explained that the essence of meaningful existence lies in discerning the eternal from the momentary and in remaining absorbed in one’s inherent nature.

Across the three days, seekers immersed in a series of spiritually uplifting events and programmes that deepened devotion and expanded hearts.

This event saw the spirit of service in action as seekers came together to pack meals for the needy. It was graced by esteemed guests including Minalben from Shri Raj Saubhag Ashram, Sayla; Manubhai and Rikaben Shah, Founders of the Sarva Mangal Family Trust, Shah Happiness Foundation, and CEO Emeritus of M S International; Sandeep Shah, CEO and Founder of Sandeep Diamond; Atul Kothari, Chairman of Jewelex Group and Prem Jain, Founding Member and former President of JAINA. A Mega Medical Camp was also organised, with 21 specialised booths – ranging from Occupational Therapy and Women’s Health to Vision Screening and Bone Marrow Donation, embodying the Mission’s spirit of holistic seva. Congressman Rob Bresnahan Jr. and his wife were felicitated during the event, while Razin Karu from the Governor’s office read out a letter of appreciation from the Governor of Pennsylvania, Josh Shapiro.

In recognition of their immense contributions towards humanity, Manubhai and Rikaben Shah were honoured with the ‘Shrimad Rajchandra Love and Care – Heart of Humanity Award’ by the gracious hands of Pujya Gurudevshri.

On the serene evening of September 26, Pujya Gurudevshri and seekers gathered at the tranquil lakeside. Amidst the still waters stood a divine pratimaji of Param Krupalu Dev, seated on a lotus, symbolising His untainted inner state. A soothing recitation of Dev Vandan filled the air, drawing seekers into profound silence. The evening culminated in a moving Maha-arti of Param Krupalu Dev, leaving every heart overflowing with reverence.

This year also marked another historic milestone – the completion of 20 years of Pujya Gurudevshri’s dharmayatras to the USA. Since 2005, seekers across North America have been blessed with His grace through pravachans, pratishthas, padhramanis, retreats, and countless transformative encounters. A moving video titled ‘20 Years of Grace’ took everyone through two decades of divine compassion, showcasing how tirelessly Pujya Gurudevshri has nurtured the spiritual growth of mumukshus across North America.

To commemorate this occasion, awards were presented to recognise outstanding contributions:

Legacy of Seva Award: Pareshaben Shah
Best Progressing Centre Award: Dallas Centre
Best SRMD Divinetouch Centre Award: Toronto Centre
Seva Champion Centres Award: Long Island and Parsipanny

Distinguished dignitaries expressed their heartfelt admiration for Pujya Gurudevshri and the Mission’s benevolent initiatives. Mr. Aaron Mitchell, EVP and Head of R&D at ZS; Mr. Amit Chadha, CEO and MD of L&T Technology Services and Dr. Willie Underwood III, distinguished physician and president-elect of the American Medical Association spoke on the occasion, conveying their respect towards the Master and praising the Mission’s activities. They were warmly felicitated by Pujya Gurudevshri.

Another deeply stirring moment came with the screening of ‘Making of the USA Ashram’. The video revealed how sevaks, driven by their love for Pujya Gurudevshri, accomplished what professionals had deemed impossible within the given time. They unloaded massive shipments, operated forklifts, assembled furniture, set up rooms, and even created a lakeside trail. The core sevaks honoured, along with their spouses, included Soham Shah, Vipul Gopani, Darshan Sanghvi, Hardik Sanghvi, Amit Sanghvi, Manish Mota, Vishal Doshi, Zarna Tarazona, Jigisha Rathod, and Parthvi Harde.

An elevating dedication titled ‘Guru Krupa Bal Aur Che – Tales of Transformation’ brought forth heartfelt sharing from seekers across the USA. Their experiences reflected how Pujya Gurudevshri – with His creative and uniquely-tailored personal guidance – has uplifted beings of diverse backgrounds and mindsets, igniting in them the flame of inner transformation.

A special bhakti evening elevated the audience with soulful renditions by Sachin Sanghvi of the renowned Sachin–Jigar duo, accompanied by his daughter Tanishka. Their offering of devotion impacted every soul present, and they were lovingly felicitated by Pujya Gurudevshri.

Eminent dignitaries including Ray Manista, EVP & Chief Legal and Public Affairs Officer, Northwestern Mutual; Paul Ayoub and Joseph Ayoub, Board Members of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital; Shamiram “Shami” Feinglass, Board Member of Sandoz; Haoda Fu, Vice President at Amgen; Shobie Ramakrishnan, EVP & Chief Information and Digital Officer at GSK; and Steve Pratt, Partner at Deloitte participated in the celebrations during the Festival.

For the very first time on the soil of the USA Ashram, three blessed souls embraced the path of Atmarpit Diksha. The brave seekers were Neil Shah, Indianapolis, USA; Kevin Shah, Mumbai, India and Smriti Kothari, Mumbai.

On the eve of the Diksha, a spiritually-elevating Atmarpit Mehendi and Pithi ceremony was held. A creative skit reaffirmed the timeless truth that wealth, power, family or praise cannot grant lasting happiness, but the sweet shelter of a Master can. Family and friends of the to‑be‑Atmarpits offered devotional dance performances, while the aspirants themselves shared their moving journeys of faith and surrender that led them to choose this exalted path of renunciation. Pujya Gurudevshri inscribed the pious name ‘Raj’ on their hands with mehendi, symbolising the eternal bond between the devotee and the Divine, and then blessed them with pithi, signifying the cleansing of negativities while embedding wisdom, discipline, and strength.

On 28th September, amidst an atmosphere charged with devotion, the Atmarpit Diksha ceremony unfolded. The parents of the three seekers joyously granted them permission to embark on the path of renunciation. With a ‘vijay tilak’ adorning their foreheads, they were blessed by Pujya Gurudevshri with their new attire. Re‑entering the arena in their sacred robes, they were initiated into the Atmarpit order and were blessed with mala and kada. They then merged seamlessly into the community of existing Atmarpits, embraced as part of the Master’s spiritual family.

The parents of the three new Atmarpits were felicitated on the occasion. In a moment of profound inspiration, the parents of Neilbhai and Kevinbhai also embraced the Ajivan Brahmacharya Vrat, while Smritiben’s father has already adopted this vow earlier. Continuing the tradition of recent years, where selected Atmarpits embrace higher vows and are honoured with the suffix ‘ji’, this year Atmarpit Payalben was chosen by Pujya Gurudevshri, marking her deepened commitment to the path.

The Festival of Bliss shone as a sanctified blend of devotion, wisdom, and seva, leaving seekers inspired to live with awareness and surrender at the lotus feet of the Master.