The Ashram Sthapnadin Mahotsav celebrations in April this year commenced on the evening of Ram Navmi, i.e. 3rd April, with the wholehearted and splendid opening of the New Gita Yajnasthal at Dharampur Ashram. In full spirits and gusto, Pujyashri Gurudev and thousands of aspirants zealously chanted the Lord’s name and inaugurated the 10,000 sq.ft. Gita Yajnasthal.

Pujyashri Gurudev initiated the Mahotsav, next day, with the ever – inspiring third Adhyay of the Srimad Bhagavad Gita, titled Karmayog; the yog of all actions performed with unconditional love and inner detachment towards its fruits. On this mellifluous dialogue between a Kshatriya warrior, Arjuna and the Cosmic Divine Being, Krishna, Pujyashri Gurudev through His enchanting discourses brings out the practical aspects which indisputably help us in our day-to-day life and thereby suggest easy, adaptable ways to conquer our inner darkness and attain the Supreme Being. Amidst the summer heat, pravachans on the third Adhyay were truly a divine treat.

The 4th of April evening held the annual Leaders’ Changing Ceremony in a unique and ingenious ‘General Elections’ style. The event proved to be spiritually entertaining as it bid good-bye to all the Group Leaders of '08-'09 and ushered in the new batch for the coming year. A gamut of episodes interspersed with speeches, cultural performances, dances, skits, and blessings from Pujyashri Gurudev filled this connecting evening.

Another highlight of the Mahotsav was a 90 minute cultural performance by the Sharnarpits on the life of the Krishna-bhakt, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. An inspiring dramatic musical was staged, bringing back to time the touching journey and devotion of this saint from West Bengal.

The Awards Ceremony '09 felicitated those devotees who had contributed selflessly towards the Shrimad Rajchandra Mission through the varied means of ‘tan-man-dhan.’ The Shrimad Rajchandra Youthwing Awards were presented to young sevaks for their talent and selfless seva. It created a spirit of cheer, determination and encouragement amongst devotees across all ages with surging emotions of strengthening the Mission and taking it to great heights.

Whilst everyone rejoiced to know the whopping amount of funds collected by the Gharbharpits for the Mission by selling chocolates, the very same little Gharbharpits amazed us with their Gurubhakti by their fluent and effortless recitation of the Bhagavad Gita shloks.

Jivmaitridham was blessed with Pujyashri Gurudev’s ever flowing compassion and presence as more innocent cows were welcomed to the Shrimad Rajchandra family.

All in all, the April Mahotsav proved to be a concentrated effort for spiritual growth and posed a conducive environment for reaching higher levels of elevation for all seeking aspirants.