FREMONT: The newly formed Laxmi-Narayan Dev Spiritual Organization affiliated with Shree Swaminarayan Temple of Vadtal (India) had a big Shri Krishna Janmastami celebration on August 25 at the Fremont Hindu Temple, marking its very successful first major public event.

The celebration was blessed with the presence of Acharya Rakesh Prasad (Head of Vadtal Diocese of Swaminarayan faith) and Swami Nautam Swaroop (Chairman, Vadtal Temple Committee), Anand Swami, and Shastri PP Swami (both from Vadtal Swaminarayan Temple). The gathering got a special significance with presence of five swamijis (sants) from Rajkot Swaminarayan Gurukul, headed by Swami Dev Swaroop.

This was for the first time in USA that so many Swamis from these two well known Swaminarayan organizations assembled to give extraordinary Shri Krishna Janmashtami Satsang program of devotional songs, religious speeches, Srimad Bhagvatam katha of Lord Krishna's birth, and "abhisheka" of the Lord Shri Krishna per the highest traditions of Vaishnava faith. The learned swamis (sants) simultaneously recited Sanskrit verses from various Hindu scriptures taking spiritually the entire audience of nearly 500 people to the time back in history when Lord Krishna appeared in India.

Men and women danced in celebration of the Sri Krishna birth with kids cutting birthday cake with Acharya Maharaj.Acharya Maharaj spoke about the significance of Lord Krishna in Swaminarayan faith, and how the Hindu religion uniquely defines the various appearances of Lord from time to time to destroy the evil and establish righteousness. Dev Swami of Rajkot Swaminarayan Gurukul described the significance of such celebrations as they leave divine memories that would last life time eventually taking the person to the highest levels of spiritual achievements.

Shree Nautam Swami is the highest ranking ascetic of Swaminarayan faith in Vadtal and spoke about the power of devotion in the life of people, the significance of Vadtal Diocese, and the important role this new (LNSO) organization would play locally for the people of San Francisco Bay Area.Dignitaries such as Mayor, City of Milpitas, Jose Esteves received Acharya Maharaj with the ceremonial "Key" to the City of Milpitas, Narendra Pathak represented the City of Sunnyvale and County of Santa Clara, and Arun Thakar represented the Fremont Hindu temple. All gave welcoming speeches receiving Acharya Maharaj and accompanying swamis (sants) from Vadtal Swaminarayan Temple, and Rajkot Gurukul.

The leaders of the LNSO organization including Dhaval Brahmbhatt (LNSO President and emcee for this event), Upendra Patel (Secretary), Vinu Patel, Chandrakant Patel, Swetal Patel, Pravin Patel, Nikesh Patel, Jatin Patel (all Trustees of LNSO), and others introduced the visiting delegation and the dignitaries to the very energetic audience that included people of all ages and representing many facets of Hindu religion.The event was followed by delicious dinner for all (prasadam) prepared by Laxmi-Narayan Dev Spiritual Organization.