Besides my Holi temple visit, I went back to the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Yonkers on April 24th at 4:30pm. Based on the schedule, Sundays are dedicated to the assembly meetings for everyone at the temple. These assemblies, or “sabha,” are divided into different groups based on age: Bal/Balika, Kishore/Kishori, Yuvati, Mahila, and Satsang. The Bal/Balika group refers to the elementary school kids and Kishore/Kishori group refers to the middle school kids. These classes are separated by gender. “Bal” and “Kishore” refer to the boys, while “Balika” and “Kishori” refer to the girls. In addition, the other three groups are referring to the adult groups, which are also separated by age. The boys are downstairs, while the girls are upstairs. These assemblies usually occur between 3:00pm – 6:30pm. When I went to the temple at 4:30, I sat in the Satsang Sabha, which consisted of the adult males and females. It was similar to the Holi event because everyone was singing “bhajans,” or devotional songs in Gujarati. I didn’t understand the songs at all since there wasn’t any translation, but I recognized words such as “Shri Swaminarayan Bhagwan ni Jai,” which is a phrase the Gujaratis say to praise their god. [Also, this phrase is also used as a greeting to the elders by touching their feet.]
At the end of the sabha, from 6:30 – 7:30, the aarti ritual was conducted. This was the same as the aarti ritual from Holi. During the aarti ritual, the plates were decorated with paint and on top of the plate, the candles, or “divo,” were soaked in ghee. The plates were separated between male and female. Each side had 5 different plates. After the pujari led the aarti, there was a “asthak” session, which is recognized as the “prayer” session. The men and women prostrated on the floor to the gods in a form of respect. This is known as “dandvat.” I noticed that even the little girls and boys did the same thing, and it’s surprising that they actually understand the meaning of what they’re doing. This is all due to the sabhas these children attend every week, which are classes that teach them the meaning of their religion and what rules to abide by. After that, there was dinner, or “prashad,” which consisted of vegetarian food.
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The Mandir schedule is: Daily Aarti is at 7:00am and 6:30pm and Daily Darshan Timings are at 7am – 12:15pm and 4:00pm to 8:00pm. I learned from this experience that the gods are considered ‘real people.’ I noticed that the deities were wearing a different outfit from the last time I came to the temple, and when I asked someone the reason why, she said that they’re treated as if they have life in them. The pujari brushes their teeth, bathes them, and dressed them in new clothes everyday. During 12:15 and 4:00pm, the gods are given their lunch and time is given for the gods to have an afternoon nap. I was intrigued by this concept especially when she told me that they’re bathed and their teeth are brushed each morning.
The Highest Leader of the Swami Narayan believer is His Divine Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj. He is known as “Bapa,” or Father, by his followers. He built over 500 temples all over the world. He also initiated over 800 saints. They don’t accept women or wealth. They don’t even glance or talk to women, nor do they touch money. If a woman wanted to ask the saints/Bapa a question, they would have to have a male to ask them for her. This is why there is a gender distinction, in order to stay focused and not stray away in their spiritual path, or else this will increase the lust in them. However, if the saints/Bapa do end up looking at a girl, they would have to fast the whole day. It’s interesting how strict the rules are for the Bapa, the saints, and the believers follow.
Also, men and women dress differently. The men wear “jabho lenghas,” and most of them are usually white. The women wear “salwar kameez.” On special occasions, the men wear “shirvanis” and the women wear “saris” or “cholis.” Everyone knows one another here and they all speak the same language — Gujarati.
History: This mandir was started in 2004. Prior to that, they attended the Flushing BAPS temple. However, due to the location differences, the rituals were done at houses in Westchester. With the opening of this mandir, it makes it easier for everyone to come together and worship the deities.
Administrative Structure: The Highest Leader is Pramukh Swami Maharaj. Under him are the over 800 saints. Below them are the Mandir Coordinator and Pujari of each mandir throughout the world. With a particular mandir, there are special coordinators for departments such as: Facilities, Balika Coord., Audio/Visual Coord., etc. These are volunteer based positions. No one is paid for their involvement/position in the temple. Pramukh Swami usually appoints the people to become saints and at times, the pujaris are hereditary.
The main teaching of the Swami Narayans is that there are two important people in the world: The Lord Himself and his guru. In this case, their guru is Pramukh Swami.