The Narnarayan Dev Gadi (Devnagari: 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]
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[edit] History
In Vadtal, on Prabodhini Ekadashi of Vikram Samvat 1882, 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).
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.
Swaminarayan then instructed all the followers present to do poojan of their respective Acharyas.
[edit] 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 |
[edit] Subordinate Organisations
Organisations under the NarNarayan Dev Gadi.
[edit] ISSO
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 USA 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 Lord Shree 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.[3]
[edit] 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.[4]
[edit] NNDYM
Narnarayan Dev Yuvak Mandal is a youth orgainisation 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). [5]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Williams 2001, p. 35,36,37
- ^ "Times Music cassette on Swaminarayan serial launched". Times of India. 2006-01-19. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1742150037.cms. Retrieved 2009-06-05.
- ^ "International Swaminarayan Satsang Organisation". http://www.swaminarayan.info/isso/.
- ^ "ISSO Seva". http://issoseva.org.
- ^ "Narnarayan Dev Yuvak Mandal". http://swaminarayan.info/nndym.
- Williams, Raymond (2001), Introduction to Swaminarayan Hinduism, Cambridge University Press, ISBN 9780521654227, http://www.amazon.com/dp/052165422X
- Desh Vibhag Lekh
- Acharyas of the Swaminarayan Sampraday
- Dharmakul
[edit] External links
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