Spiritual Activities
Temple
Temples serve as sacred spaces for peace, morality, purity, and cultural values.
Because of their deep spiritual significance, devotees wholeheartedly dedicate their talents, creativity, and devotion to temple construction. This tradition, which began in India thousands of years ago, has now spread across cities, villages, and neighborhoods worldwide. As a result, temples are recognized globally as essential pillars of spiritual culture.
Temples function as both spiritual and social guiding lights, holding a special place within the Swaminarayan Sampradaya. Their establishment brings numerous benefits to society. Recognizing this, Gurudev Bapji and HDH Swamishri have passionately advanced the temple-building mission—not only for societal upliftment but also to preserve and propagate the principles and values of the Swaminarayan tradition.
With Gurudev Bapji’s divine inspiration, SMVS has already established over 100 temples across various states in India. Additionally, due to the visionary leadership of Gurudev Bapji and beloved Swamishri, land has been acquired for more than 135 future temple sites in different states and districts. In the coming years, SMVS aims to build temples in every state of India, every district of Gujarat, and in many local talukas.
A defining characteristic of SMVS temples is their dedication to Upasana (worship) in its purest and most authentic form, as envisioned by Bhagwan Swaminarayan. Only the murtis of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and His Muktas are consecrated in these temples, marking a revolutionary step in preserving the purity of Upasana within the Swaminarayan Sampradaya.
Every visitor to these temples receives spiritual knowledge, moral values, cultural guidance, and insights into family life, helping them lead a more fulfilling life. Thousands of devotees visit these grand and divine temples daily, discovering new pathways to spiritual enlightenment through SMVS.
Children development
This initiative shapes young minds with wisdom and grace, blending learning, values, and faith in one place.
Childhood is like a tender plant—its growth is shaped by the environment it receives. Just as a sapling bends in the direction it is guided, a child’s development depends on proper guidance and care.
With this understanding, inspired by Gurudev Bapji, SMVS established the Bal-Balika Activity in 1987 under the Swaminarayan Digvijay Mandal to foster the all-round development of children. This program instills values, promotes spirituality, enhances artistic and intellectual abilities, and ensures academic excellence.
The Bal-Balika Mandals organize a variety of competitions and initiatives to engage children. These include activities such as swing decoration, drawing, essay writing, public speaking, storytelling, sport days and temple model making. Additionally, campaigns focused on parenting activities, service and cleanliness drives, and anti-addiction awareness help instill a strong sense of responsibility. To further reinforce spiritual and moral values, Samuh Puja, celebrations of festivals, daily children’s shibirs, and summer camps are conducted.
Currently, over 600 Bal-Balika Mandals operate across India and abroad, benefiting more than 15,000 children every week under the guidance of the Satsang Pravrutti Karyalay (SPK) of the organization.
Adarsh Bal Sabha (ABS)
Recognizing children as the future of society, SMVS is dedicated to shaping their character and ideals from an early age. To achieve this, Adarsh Bal Sabha (ABS) was introduced in 2011 under the divine guidance of Gurudev Bapji and HDH Swamishri.
This initiative focuses on five key aspects of a child's growth: spiritual development, character building, inner growth, personality enhancement, and physical well-being. Children are divided into Primary and Advanced groups based on age, and they receive practical guidance through ABS Sabha, camps, and structured activities. Pious sants and dedicated mentors continuously work to help children walk the ideal path. Participants in ABS also have the special privilege of receiving the divine presence, blessings, and guidance of Beloved Guruji, reinforcing their spiritual journey.
Since only an ideal mentor can shape ideal children, special training and meetings are held for ABS coordinators under the leadership of Guruji and respected sants. Currently, over 80 ABS Mandals operate within the organization, with 600 boys and 600 girls actively engaged in learning and adopting these values.
Sankalp Bal Sabha (SBS)
Bhagwan Swaminarayan established the Supreme Upasana and the ultimate teachings of Anadimukta, which were further reinforced by Jivanpran Abjibapashri through tireless efforts in spreading the essence of Karan Satsang. To extend this divine wisdom worldwide, Gurudev Bapji and HDH Swamishri initiated Sankalp Bal Sabha (SBS) in 2016.
Many parents aspire to raise their children with the ultimate goal of dedicating them in service of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. SBS is designed to nurture young spiritual warriors from an early age, instilling the knowledge and principles of Karan Satsang. It serves as a training ground for dedicated kid sevaks who will fulfill Guruji’s divine vision for SMVS. Currently, 250 Sankalp Bal Muktas and 230 Balika Muktas benefit from this initiative.
Through SBS, children internalize the core philosophy:
"Forever in Guruji’s grace, for SMVS we run this race!"
( ગુરુજીના રાજીપામાં જ રહેવું છે, SMVS માટે જ જીવવું છે )
Following Beloved Guruji’s guidance, they receive simplified yet profound knowledge of the Supreme Upasana through engaging activities and games. Theoretical and practical spiritual learning is tailored to different age groups and delivered through spiritual camps, monthly sessions, and various projects conducted across India and abroad.
Since the home environment and parental influence play a crucial role in shaping a child’s values, special training sessions, seminars, and meetings are conducted for parents. These sessions help them understand their responsibilities and provide guidance on ensuring the spiritual upbringing of their children.
Through these carefully designed programs, SMVS remains committed to building a strong spiritual foundation for the next generation.
Youth Activities
Where sincerity, character, devotion, faith, and divine virtues shape the essence of youth.
Every nation possesses its unique wealth, and for the world, that wealth is its youth. Across the globe, young individuals are the driving force of innovation, progress, and cultural enrichment. Today’s youth hold the power to uplift and develop the nation and society. They have the strength to face global challenges and transformations, but many lack the right vision. To guide them on the right path, Gurudev Bapji established Kishore-Yuvak Mandals in 1987 under Swaminarayan Digvijay Mandal to nurture, guide, and transform young individuals holistically.
These Kishor-Yuvak Mandals emphasize spiritual values such as a simple lifestyle, adherence to dharma, devotion to Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s supreme upasana, and disciplined living. Additionally, they cultivate fundamental social values such as character, sincerity, morality, and truthfulness. Various activities, including Samuh Puja, mantra writing, continuous dhun, prayer weeks, morning processions, evening processions, rallies, cycle rallies, and scooter rallies, are conducted. Competitions such as drawing contests, mantra writing competitions, memorization contests, handwritten magazine contests, essay writing competitions, and public speaking events like “Bolo Aur Jeeto” further enhance youth engagement. Additionally, shibirs (spiritual retreats), katha-parayans, youth conferences, and conventions are organized to sustain and nurture these values. To ensure these spiritual and moral values remain ingrained, weekly sabhas are conducted at all temples.
Adarsh Kishor Sabha (AKS)
With the divine vision of Gurudev Bapji and HDH Swamishri, Adarsh Bal Sabha (ABS) was launched in 2011 to guide young children towards ideal character-building. Many of these children have now become pillars of Satsang, dedicated to seva and progressing on the path of spirituality. With the same divine purpose, Adarsh Kishor Sabha (AKS) was initiated to ensure that teenagers also receive ideal guidance and character formation.
Through AKS, kishores receive knowledge and unwavering commitment to spiritual principles, preparing them for lifelong service to the organization. Since teenagers and youth represent the future of society, the nation, and the organization, this initiative plays a crucial role in shielding them from negative influences while nurturing virtues such as humanity, sincerity, and devotion to Maharaj and Guruji. Under Guruji’s guidance, sants work tirelessly to preserve and elevate the spiritual foundation of kishors.
Sankalp Kishor Sabha (SKS)
Bhagwan Swaminarayan and the Satpurush have descended into this universe with grand and divine resolutions (sankalps). Their mission is to uplift countless souls to the state of Anadimukta and help them experience divine bliss. To fulfill these divine sankalps, a dedicated society is essential.
A growing number of individuals are eager to dedicate their lives in service to Shriji Maharaj, aligning themselves with His mission. To provide them with strength and guidance, Guruji established Sankalp Kishor Sabha and Sankalp Kishori Sabha. This initiative is for those who aspire to live for Shriji Maharaj, dedicating their time, energy, intelligence, and skills to the service of the organization. It is a structured platform that helps youth stay steadfast in their devotion amidst the distractions of the modern world.
Adarsh Yuva Project (AYP)
One of the most distinctive youth initiatives is the Adarsh Yuva Project (AYP), which identifies and nurtures select young individuals, guiding them on a structured spiritual path. Currently, over 2,934 youth are part of this transformative project. Similarly, to support the elderly population, the Adarsh Vadil Project (AVP) has been launched, with over 1,816 elderly individuals benefiting from it.
This vibrant youth movement has expanded across 226 youth and joint mandals in various states, districts, talukas, and cities of India. Internationally, more than 30 mandals operate successfully. Every week, over 10,000 youth members participate in these mandals, strengthening their spiritual journey and contributing to the organization’s divine mission.
Women's Activities
Bhaktiniwas: A Center for Women's Spiritual Growth
Bhaktiniwas is a sacred place where women renounce worldly attachments and dedicate their lives to spirituality. Here, they live a God-centered life and actively participate in efforts to uplift women spiritually.
When Bhagwan Swaminarayan, as Nilkanth Varni, joined the ashram of Sadguru Ramanand Swami, he introduced a structured system for the Swaminarayan Sampraday. He emphasized that for spiritual integrity to remain strong, men and women should engage in devotion separately. With this principle in mind, he granted women a respected and independent role in spiritual society.
Just as men could practice devotion and renunciation, women were also given the opportunity to embrace a life of detachment. To support this, Bhagwan Swaminarayan established the Sankhyayogi Baheno tradition, allowing women to follow a path of renunciation.
Building upon this foundation, and considering modern lifestyles, Bhaktiniwas was established under the guidance of Gurudev Bapji through SMVS to strengthen and continue this tradition.
On February 22, 2001, the Bhaktiniwas unit was founded at the Swaminarayan Mandir in Vasna, Ahmedabad. Later, on January 1, 2002, Harihkrishna Maharaj was ceremoniously consecrated in Bhaktiniwas. Following Vachanamrut Vadtal 18, women who seek renunciation recognize Harihkrishna Maharaj as the ever-present divine form and take diksha into a life of detachment.
Today, 101 dedicated female renunciates, dressed in white garments and completely detached from worldly life, serve by spreading the teachings of Bhagwan Swaminarayan through Bhaktiniwas. Additionally, the Sadhak Talim Kendra provides guidance to young women aspiring for renunciation, with over 52 young women having dedicated their lives to devotion. The Tyagi Mahila Mukta community is unique in that its members live with complete financial detachment and observe a sacred separation from men in their spiritual journey.
The Bhaktiniwas initiative is an integral part of SMVS, committed to the spiritual progress of women.
Sant
Sants dedicate their lives to both their own spiritual progress and the upliftment of society. They give up personal comforts and ambitions to serve others while remaining detached from worldly distractions.
Currently, SMVS has a dedicated group of 100 sants and parshads who, like incense sticks, burn themselves to spread the divine fragrance of Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s teachings.
SMVS sants travel extensively, organizing satsang assemblies and forming personal connections with individuals. Their mission is to eliminate negative influences like addiction, immorality, corruption, and unethical behavior from people’s lives. They offer love and spiritual guidance to children, becoming mentors to teenagers and young adults, helping them avoid negative influences. For elders, they provide support and encouragement, fostering unity, peace, and spirituality in families.
The spiritual values of our culture have endured largely due to the contributions of sants.
Sants also play a crucial role in leading individuals toward ultimate liberation (moksha) by imparting knowledge about Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s supreme divinity and the eternal state of Anadimukta to sincere seekers.
Sadhak Talim Kendra (STK)
The Sadhak Talim Kendra (STK) is a structured spiritual academy where dedicated youth train to become sants. This initiative is inspired by the vision of Gurudev Bapji, who believed that just as an academic institution is necessary for obtaining worldly degrees, there should be a systematic spiritual academy to train individuals for a saintly life.
To bring this vision to life, HDH Swamishri established the Sadhak Training Center and Sant Training Center. Commonly known as STK, this institution was officially inaugurated on June 11, 2011, at Swaminarayan Dham, Gandhinagar, under the divine blessings of Gurudev Bapji and HDH Swamishri.
STK aims to:
- Teach and propagate the profound principles of Bhagwan Swaminarayan.
- Cultivate divine saintly qualities in aspirants.
- Foster a deep passion for knowledge and meditation.
- Guide seekers toward achieving the Anadimukta state.
- Ensure that the principles, values, and discipline established by Bhagwan Swaminarayan for sants are preserved for future generations.
STK follows a semester-based system with seven structured levels to provide a thorough spiritual and practical education.
Within three and a half years, each aspirant undergoes a step-by-step transformation, progressing through the roles of samarpit sevak, sadhak, parshad, and ultimately, a sant. Through the compassionate guidance of Gurudev Bapji and HDH Swamishri, and the nurturing environment of STK, over 42 dedicated aspirants have embraced the path of sainthood.
