Nar Narayan Dev Gadi

The Naranarāyan Dēv Gadī (Devanagari: नरनरायन देव गदी), named after NarNarayan Dev, is one of the two Gadis (seats) that together form the Swaminarayan Sampraday. It is headquartered at the Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Ahmedabad and controls the Uttar Vibhag.[1]

The current Acharya of the Gadi is Acharya Shree Koshalendraprasadji Maharaj.[2]

History

Ahmedabad Swaminarayan Temple Logo

In Vadtal, on Prabodhini Ekadashi of Vikram Samvat 1825, Swaminarayan adopted his nephews Ayodhyaprasadji Pande (Son of elder brother Ramprasadji) and Raghuveerji Pande (Son of younger brother Ichcharamji) as his sons. Establishing the two Gadis i.e. NarNarayan Dev Gadi, headquartered at Ahmedabad and LaxmiNarayan Dev Gadi, headquartered at Vadtal, Swaminarayan instructed the two cousins to draw lots, to decide who would be seated on which Gadi.

Ayodhyaprasadji was appointed the inaugural Acharya of the NarNarayan Dev Gadi (also known as the Uttar Vibhag - Northern division), whilst Raghuveerji became the inaugural Acharya of the LaxmiNarayan Dev Gadi (also known as the Dakshin Vibhag - Southern division).[3]

The administrative division between the two is set forth in minute detail in a document written by Swaminarayan, called Desh Vibhaag Lekh. The method by which future Acharyas are to be appointed is enshrined in the document Desh Vibhag Lekh.[4]

Swaminarayan then instructed all the followers present to do puja of their respective acharyas.

Acharyas

The following table lists all the Acharyas of the Ahmedabad Gadi till date.

Acharya Number Name of Acharya Born on Became Acharya on Death Term
1 Acharya Shree Ayodyaprasadji Maharaj 25 May 1809 10th Nov 1826 18th Feb 1868 42 Years
2 Acharya Shree Keshavprasadji Maharaj 16th Apr 1835 18th Feb 1868 09th Apr 1890 22 Years
3 Acharya Shree Purshottamprasadji Maharaj 07th Feb 1870 09th Apr 1890 25th Nov 1901 12 Years
4 Acharya Shree Vasudevprasadji Maharaj 17th Jul 1899 25th Nov 1901 29th Nov 1937 35 Years
5 Acharya Shree Devendraprasadji Maharaj 05th Oct 1922 30th Nov 1937 12th Oct 1969 32 Years
6 Acharya Shree Tejendraprasadji Maharaj 11th Apr 1944 13th Oct 1969 Present 35 Years
7 Acharya Shree Koshalendraprasadji Maharaj 18th Oct 1972 15th Oct 2004 Present Present

Subordinate Organisations

Organisations under the NarNarayan Dev Gadi.

ISSO

NarNarayan at the Swaminarayan Temple in New Jersey (Colonia)

The now nivrut Acharya of the Ahmedabad gaadi (who was then Acharya), Acharya Shree Tejendraprasadji Maharaj founded International Swaminarayan Satsang Organisation (I.S.S.O.) in the United States on the occasion of Vijaya Dashmi in the year 1978. The prime objective of I.S.S.O. is "To advance the Sanatan Dharma, in accordance with the principles and teachings of the Swaminarayan Sampraday, founded and ordained by Sahajanand Swami", enabling Swaminarayan's devotees from both the Nar Narayan Dev Gadi (Ahmedabad) & Laxmi Narayan Dev Gadi (Vadtal) to practice their religious duties in harmony.

This achieved, the efforts of all the followers of the Sampraday can be polarised, allowing for joint activities to be undertaken. In turn, this will enabling followers to meet the challenges that they are faced with today in giving their youth a religious experience that they can understand and practice themselves.[5]

Hari Krishna (left) and RadhaKrishna at the Swaminarayan Temple in Florida

ISSO Seva

In 2001 ISSO-Seva was established. It is an independent running charity under the Swaminarayan Sampraday to give a helping hand to mankind, to help the homeless and needy as well as making awareness about the modern day diseases and infections. It provides relief for when a natural disaster strikes worldwide. The charity is run by professionals and volunteers of the Swaminarayan temples and centres.[6]

NNDYM

Narnarayan Dev Yuvak Mandal is a youth organisation which was founded by Acharya Shree Koshalendraprasadji Maharaj (Pre Acharya Status) in 1994 with its headquarters at the Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Ahmedabad and was created to help young people to confront the challenges of human life.

This step set into motion various initiatives by this organisation to build a foundation of young people across the globe. The organisation propagates dharma (duty), bhakti (devotion), gnaan (knowledge), and vairagya (detachment from maya).[7]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Williams 2001, p. 35,36,37
  2. ↑ "Times Music cassette on Swaminarayan serial launched". Times of India. 2006-01-19. Retrieved 2009-06-05.
  3. ↑ Williams, Raymond (2001). Introduction to Swaminarayan Hinduism. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. p. 35. ISBN 0 521 65279 0.
  4. ↑ Williams, Raymond (2001). Introduction to Swaminarayan Hinduism. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. pp. 36–37. ISBN 0 521 65279 0.
  5. ↑ "International Swaminarayan Satsang Organisation".
  6. ↑ "ISSO Seva".
  7. ↑ "Narnarayan Dev Yuvak Mandal".
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