NewKerala.com

Vadodara Sets Guinness Record with 12,723 Kids Reciting Hindu Scripture

A Guinness World Records certificate was presented for the largest simultaneous Hindu text recital, with 12,723 children participating at the venue. The event marked the culmination of the 92nd birth anniversary celebrations of spiritual head Mahant Swami Maharaj in Vadodara. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav attended as special guests, with greetings conveyed from Union Minister Amit Shah. Several initiatives, including a mobile school project and a dedicated children's YouTube channel, were launched during the celebrations.

Key Points: Guinness Record at Mahant Swami Maharaj's 92nd Birthday in Vadodara

  • Guinness Record for largest Hindu text recital
  • 12,723 children physically present
  • Celebrations drew nearly two lakh devotees
  • Mobile school project for tribal regions launched
  • Senior political leaders attended as special guests
3 min read

Vadodara: Guinness World Record recognises mass recital at Mahant Swami Maharaj's 92nd birthday celebrations

A Guinness World Record for largest Hindu text recital by 12,723 children highlighted Mahant Swami Maharaj's 92nd birthday celebrations in Vadodara.

"He felt pride and joy that such a revered spiritual leader hailed from the region. - Mohan Yadav"

Vadodara, Feb 2

A Guinness World Records certificate recognising the largest simultaneous Hindu text recital was presented to Mahant Swami Maharaj on Monday as the 92nd birth anniversary celebrations of the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha spiritual head culminated in Gujarat's Vadodara, drawing nearly two lakh devotees from across the country.

The recognition followed a year-long effort in which 15,666 children aged between three and 13 years completed the full Sanskrit recitation of the Satsang Diksha, a scripture composed by Mahant Swami Maharaj comprising 315 shlokas that offer guidance for spiritual, moral, social and practical living.

Guinness World Records officials, who travelled from England for the occasion, confirmed that 12,723 children were physically present at the venue and were formally counted for the record.

The concluding event marked the end of the five-month-long 92nd Janma Jayanti Mahotsav of Mahant Swami Maharaj, the present spiritual head of BAPS.

The programme featured large-scale cultural presentations with hundreds of performers, special videos highlighting his life and values, and discourses by senior BAPS swamis reflecting on his humility, spiritual depth and selfless service.

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav attended the celebrations as special guests and were welcomed by senior swamis of the organisation.

A letter conveying greetings from the Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah was read out during the programme.

Addressing the gathering, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav referred to Jabalpur, the birthplace of Mahant Swami Maharaj, and said he felt pride and joy that such a revered spiritual leader hailed from the region.

Several initiatives were announced on the occasion.

Mahant Swami Maharaj inaugurated a mobile school project aimed at extending education to tribal regions under the theme 'Har Ghar Ghar Shiksha Ki Jyot Jale'.

BAPS also launched a dedicated YouTube channel for children titled 'BAPS Kids' and formally released the book 'Insights from the Satsang Diksha', authored by Mahant Swami Maharaj.

The programme concluded with devotees offering mantra-pushpanjali, followed by a large-scale collective aarti performed under the open sky.

Organisers said the illumination of lakhs of diyas during the aarti created a deeply moving atmosphere.

In his concluding blessings, Mahant Swami Maharaj encouraged devotees to lead lives rooted in faith, humility and service.

Around 800 BAPS swamis and nearly two lakh devotees attended the event.

Preparations were carried out for more than three months by hundreds of swamis and about 14,000 volunteers across 34 departments, with support from the Vadodara Municipal Corporation for security and civic arrangements.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
The mobile school project for tribal regions is the real highlight for me. While the world record is impressive, this initiative to take education to the doorsteps of underserved communities shows true seva. This is what spirituality in action looks like.
A
Aman W
While I respect the devotion, I can't help but wonder about the resources spent on such a massive event. Wouldn't those funds be better utilized directly for the tribal education project they launched? Just a thought from a practical standpoint.
S
Sarah B
As someone who has visited a BAPS mandir abroad, it's amazing to see their global impact. The discipline and organization required to coordinate 14,000 volunteers is mind-boggling. The 'BAPS Kids' YouTube channel is a smart move for the digital age.
V
Vikram M
Proud moment for Gujarat and India! Guinness officials coming from England to witness this is a testament to the scale. The image of lakhs of diyas during the aarti must have been breathtaking. Our culture and spirituality continue to inspire the world.
K
Kavya N
Teaching children aged 3 to 13 those 315 shlokas over a year is truly commendable. It builds focus, memory, and cultural roots from a young age. More than the record, it's about the values these children will carry forward. Hearty congratulations to all involved!

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50