On the day of Chaitra Sud 9, Vikram Samvat 1837, Lord Swaminarayan, incarnated on this planet to liberate countless souls in the pious village of Chhapaiya in northern India. At the time, society was troubled with social, moral and spiritual issues. Thus, Lord Swaminarayan was born to Dharmadev and Bhaktimata with the resolve to re-establish long-gone spirituality within humanity.
 
From his childhood, Ghanshyam (Lord Swaminarayan’s childhood name) was a role model for his peers and native villagers. At such a young age, He would regularly engage himself in worship and display His commitment to the values of dharma (good conduct), satya (truth), ahimsa (non-violence), and brahmacharya (celibacy). This made it clear that the Supreme Lord had Himself incarnated with qualities that surpassed human characteristics. Through many divine incidents and His divine qualities, Ghanshyam revealed His firm commitment to rekindle the extinguished fire of Dharma (Moral Principles), Gnan (Knowledge), Bhakti (Devotion) and Vairagya (Detachment).
After the demise of His parents, due to intense non-affection(dislike) for this world, at the age of 11, Ghanshyam left his home to travel the length and breadth of India to liberate all that came into His contact. Nilkanth’s (Lord Swaminarayan’s teenage name) barefoot travels spanned over 12,000 kilometers over the terrains of past India, perilous high peaks of the Himalayas, and the dense jungles where even sunlight was unable to pass through.  During his travels, Nilkanth endured the extreme temperatures of the Himalayas and spent 4 months performing penance at Muktinath for the benefit of others. After transforming many lives through His travels, Nilkanth stopped His journey in the pious feet of a true saint named Shri Muktanand Swami.
 
After some time, Nilkanth was initiated and named Sahajanand Swami by Sadguru Shri Ramanand Swami and was passed on the leadership of the Uddhav Sampraday. Utilizing the theological principles present within Hindu Scriptures, Sahajanand Swami taught all that came into His contact about the liberation of one’s soul. Performing Bhakti of the Supreme Lord via the association of a “Sadhu” endowed with all the virtues of a true renunciant was one of the main principles He preached to all. More than 3000 saints were initiated by Lord Swaminarayan during His time. Lord Swaminarayan encouraged his Saints to travel from village to village preaching divine sermons and redirecting sinful lives towards piety.
 
In addition, Lord Swaminarayan was also very keen on selfless service and giving back to the community. He extinguished immoral practices such as “Sati-Pratha” (live widows burned to death during their husband’s cremation) prevalent within society at that time. During His time on Earth, He directed wells to be dug, set up welfare homes, and instructed donations to be provided to Brahmins and the meek. Under His own guidance, Shri Hari had 6 lavish temples erected over different areas of Gujarat. Alongside, He sanctified countless villages where he performed divine incidents and narrated spiritual sermons which have been compiled into an exceptional scripture known as the “Vachanamrut”. With His own hands, Lord Shree Swaminarayan compiled the Shikshapatri – a scripture consisting of 212 verses which lays out the rules to be followed by the followers of the Swaminarayan sect. Furthermore, on the solemn day of Jeth Sud 10, Vikram Samvat 1886, Lord Swaminarayan departed from this earth but He forever remains omni-present and dwells in the hearts of His utmost dear devotees.
   
3 April 1781 – Incarnates as Ghanshyam in Chhapaiya.
12 July 1781 – Markandeya Muni Names Lord – Hari, Krishna, and Hari-Krishna
31 March 1786 – Begins the study of Sanskrit.
5 February 1789 – Yagnopavit Ceremony Performed
29 June 1792 – Leaves home to begin Kalyan Yatra.
1793 – Performs four months of severe penance in Muktinath.
21 August 1799 – Arrives in Loj, meets Muktananad Swami.
18 June 1800 – Meets Ramanand Swami in Piplana
28 October 1800 – Initiated by Ramanand Swami as Sahjanand Swami and Narayan Muni.
16 November 1801 – Appointed as head of the fellowship.
31 December 1801 – Reveals the Swaminarayan mantra.
5 November 1802 – Muktanand Swami composes the Aarti
21 November 1819 – Begins the discourses recorded in the Vachanamrut.
12 February 1826 – The Shikshapatri is written in Vadtal.
1 June 1830 – Returns to Akshardham while in Gadhada.

“A true sadhu is like sandalwood which imparts its fragrances to all that come within its contact.” Such was the life of Sadguru Shri Adharanand Swami, the leading disciple of Sadguru Shri Muktanand Swami. Pujya Swami is a prime example of a true saint that upholds humility regardless of being exceptionally capable and talented.
 
Adharanand Swami was born in the village of “Memka” in the house of Hansrajbhai and Maniben of the Gurjar social class. Following detailed study of his works, it has been estimated that Swami was born in the Samvat Year of 1855 (1798). Hansrajbhai Suthar, a profound devotee of Lord Swaminarayan, moved to the village of Kholadiyad due to wishes of Maharaj. Thus, Virji (childhood name of Adharanand Swami) spent most of his childhood in the village of Kholadiyad.
 
Once, Shreeji Maharaj held a festival in the hilly regions of Girnar. Virji, along with his father, had gone for the darshan of Maharaj. Upon having the darshan of Maharaj for the first time, Virji made a firm decision in his mind to tread the path of a renunciant and worship Lord Swaminarayan. Surprisingly, his father shared the same thoughts. They both spent their days meditating upon the form of Shri Hari. Their lives were completely infused with the characteristics of Dharma, Bhakti, Gnan and Vairagya. Out of the three siblings, Virji expressed the characteristics of renunciation and dislike for worldly things the most. As a result, he once asked his mother to give him permission to become a Sadhu and devote his life to Shreeji Maharaj. Maniben, herself a great devotee, happily gave Virji her blessings to become a Sadhu. The very next day, Hansrajbhai went to Maniba, his wife, and asked for her consent so he could become a sadhu. Hearing this, Maniba’s joy knew no bounds. She happily gave consent to Hansrajbhai as well!
 
When the father-son duo went for Maharaj’s darshan in Gadhpur, they first met Sadguru Shri Muktanand Swami. After understanding the whole situation, Muktanand Swami lovingly expressed his views that Virji should become a Sadhu, but Hansrajbhai should stay as a householder and serve Maharaj with that role. When they met Maharaj, remarkably, Maharaj also conveyed the same viewpoint as Shri Muktanand Swami. Considering Shri Hari’s view to be the final word on the matter, Virji surrendered himself as a Sadhu in the feet of Maharaj while Hansrajbhai went back home.
When Virji was 17 years old, Shree Hari initiated him into sainthood and named him Adharanand – One who enjoys the bliss of “Sarvadhar – The basis of all – Lord Swaminarayan”. Upon initiation, Maharaj instructed him to stay as a disciple of Muktanand Swami. Adharanand Swami was exceptionally talented in many fields since childhood. Whether it be playing instruments, composing new hymns, painting, singing, sculpting – he could do everything! However, he always considered his talents to be used only in the service of Shreeji Maharaj, and not for self-interest. His internal desire was to remain as a laborer in Satsang and obtain the blessings of all.
 
Poetically blessed, Adharanand Swami is one of the leading eight poets of the Swaminarayan Sampraday. The name Adharanand was difficult to fit into the poetic-meter when composing any poems. Thus, Shreeji Maharaj gave him another name – Siddhanand Swami! Numerous times, Shreeji Maharaj asked Adharanand Swami to compose instantaneous poetry to defeat the stalwart-poets that came to scrutinize the poets of the Swaminarayan sect. In such instances, regardless of being sick, Swami would promptly recite poetry describing the greatness of Maharaj and everyone would be left awestruck!  Regardless of such gifted abilities, Adharanand Swami devoted his entire life by thought, word, and deed to the service of Maharaj and Shri Muktanand Swami.
 
He would always remain by Shri Muktanand Swami’s side and scribe everything that Pujya Swami orated. In addition, he would also aid in the writing of letters and other scriptures by the will of Shri Muktanand Swami. Lovingly, Muktanand Swami would narrate divine incidents of Lord Swaminarayan to Adharanand Swami, and he would scribe them instantly. Due to this selfless service, he became known as the right hand of Shri Muktanand Swami. In Vikram Samvat 1878, Adharanand Swami compiled his first scripture known as the Narayan-Ang Chintamani. When he presented it to Muktanand Swami, Pujya Swami became very happy and gave him his divine blessings. He forecasted that Adharanand Swami will become a great poet in the near future.
 
 Additionally, Adharanand Swami was an expert in painting. He was the first to paint a murti of Lord Shri Hari, which was distributed to many by Maharaj himself. Even to this day, many have an imprint of this murti and worship it daily. Thus, the entire Swaminarayan sect is grateful to Adharanand Swami for providing the basis for Shri Hari’s murti puja. Seeing Swami’s talents, Shri Hari would always have Adharanand Swami oversee the sculpting of new murtis. The murti of Hanumanji in Ahmedabad is a result of Adharanand Swami’s efforts. Also, Swami was the artist for “Yamyatna”, a scripture describing the torments of hell. It is also noteworthy that Adharanand Swami was adept in playing musical instruments such as the sitar. Furthermore, several Hari-mandirs of Shree Swaminarayan Sampraday were built under Swamiji’s direct supervision. The tilak-chandlo, a famous symbol of the Swaminarayan Sampraday today, is also a result of Shri Adharanand Swami’s efforts as he was the first to provide the design of the tilak-chandlo at the request of Shri Hari. 
 
Out of all his written works, the most noteworthy is the creation of Shri Haricharitramrut Sagar. Twenty-seven years after Shri Hari returned to his Akshardham, Adharanand Swami still constantly remained in the service of Satsang. Even after such time had past, he had a divine thought in his heart to write and compile a “Sarvopari” (supreme) scripture extolling the greatness of “Sarvopari” Lord Swaminarayan. At the age of 59, by the grace of Lord Shri Hari and his Sadguru Shri Muktanand Swami, Adharanand Swami started writing this scripture in Vadtal in Samvat 1914. Due to divine revelations given to him by Lord Shri Hari, Swami’s pen would constantly go on and on extolling divine charitras (stories) and talks of Lord Shri Hari. Pujya Swami’s scripture is the embodiment of his sacrifice because regardless of his old age, irrespective of the weakness in his body, and despite not being able to uphold the pen in his hand, Adharanand Swami wrote 28 Purs (chapters), 2307 Tarangs (sub-chapters), and over 98,000 verses within a span of thirteen years, five months, and fourteen days. To date, the Haricharitramrut Sagar is well-known by each and every individual of the Swaminarayan sect. Adharanand Swami, returned to the divine abode of Akshardham on Magshar Sud 7 Samvat 1928. Even today, the memory of his saintliness continues to linger within the hearts of all.
 

Shreeji Maharaj states in the Vachanamrut that “Whenever a jiva attains a human body in Bharat-khand, God’s avatārs or God’s sādhus will certainly also be present on earth at that time. If that jiva can recognize them, then he becomes a devotee of God.”. In accordance to that statement, Bhagwan and his utmost-dear saints have constantly been key in the upliftment of mumukshu-souls. One such saint, whose life is the epitome of saintliness, whose qualities reflect the lives of the great Nand-Santo, whose memories continue to spark emotions of love in the hearts of all even today, is our Dadaguruji Sadguru Shri Nandkishordasji Swami.
 
Shreeji Maharaj states in the 2nd Prakran of Shrimad Satsangijivan that Unlike the common man depending on his past deeds, a satpurush manifest or disappear according to his own will. They are beyond the circle of life-and-death but for the benefit of others, exhibit human like characteristics and behave just like a normal human being. In the same way, Sadguru Shri Nandkishordasji Swami, an eternally liberated soul, an anadi-mukta, manifested in the village of Limadhara to parents, Valjibhai and Rukhmaiba Hirapara on the sacred day of Vikram Samvat 1981 – Jeth Sud Bhim Ekadashi (Monday June 3, 1925). A joyous environment spread across the entire village of Limadhara and everyone came for the darshan of this divine child. Seeing the innocence and naivety in his eyes, the family members started lovingly calling the child “Popat”.
 
Valjibhai and Rukhmaiba’s family was devoted to serving God over many lineages. The sanskars of their ancestors were truly evident in the life of Popat Bhagat as well. At the young age when children spend their time fantasizing about toys, Popat Bhagat would spend his time at the local temple. First hand witnessers describe Popat Bhagat as an enthusiastic devotee who would daily perform puja, orate discourses, and remain elated in devotion.
 
God loves those who love him. Possibly that is the reason why Shri Hari longed for Popat Bhagat to become a sadhu just as much Popat Bhagat longed the constant service of God. Once upon a time, Popat Bhagat was sitting at his farm and suddenly nectar-like words of the kirtan “Ghere Chali Aavya Brahmamahol Vasi Re” ringed in his ears. Attracted to the divine sound and words of this kirtan, Popat Bhagat immediately got up and noticed sadhus of the Swaminarayan Sampraday walking towards his direction. Immediately, he got up and fell in the feet of these sadhus. Led by Ghanshyamjivan Swami, the sadhus asked Popat Bhagat about his name and whereabouts. Seeing the divine aura on the child’s face, Ghanshyamjivan Swami said “Let’s go! Become a sadhu!”.  Popat Bhagat, who was already aloof from the worldly pleasures, whose inclination was towards renunciation, was simply waiting for this call. He assented with a nod and readily walked away with these sadhus towards Junagadh without looking back even once. 
 
While in Junagadh, Popat Bhagat performed services with utmost concentration and affection and as a result, he earned the blessings of all the sadhus. Seeing his faith in performing service day and night, Ghanshyamjivan Swami once took Popat Bhagat with him to Kashi, where a murti-pratishtha ceremony was being celebrated on a grand scale. A bar of gold remains valuable wherever it goes. In the same manner, Popat Bhagat continued to perform selfless service even in Kashi. During this time, seeing his divine qualities, the eyes of a very great sadhu – Sadguru Shri Narayanswarupdasji Swami, fell upon Popat Bhagat. He immediately considered taking Popat Bhagat with him to Vadtal. Ghanshyamjivan Swami, upon becoming acquainted with the desire of Narayanswarupdasji Swami, happily ordered Popat Bhagat to stay with Narayanswarupdasji Swami in Vadtal and perform services there. Popat Bhagat, whose life revolved around the commands of his Sadguru, happily agreed. As time went by, Shri Narayanswarupdasji Swami, a successor of the Muktanandi Parampara, initiated Popat Bhagat into Swami Nandkishordasji on the auspicious day of Vikram Samvat 1999 Kartik Sud Ekadashi (Wednesday November 18, 1942).
 
Even after initiation, similar to the humility of Sadguru Shri Muktanand Swami, Nandkishordasji Swami’s inclination remained towards service. Whether it be serving Narayanswarupdasji Swami or gathering fodder for the cows, a gentle smile always remained on his face. Pujya Swami’s divine characteristics know no bounds. However, there were 5 services he performed throughout his life: 1) Service of Bhagwan, 2) Service of Devotees, 3) Service of the poor, 4) Service of cows, 5) Service of the ill.
 As time went by, Narayanswarupdasji Swami was declared as the chief priest in several locations such as Pij and Chanod. However, by the wishes of Shreeji Maharaj, Narayanswarupdasji departed back to Akshardham in Vikram Samvat 2014 and Nandkishordasji Swami was declared as his successor chief in Chanod. Regardless of being appointed at such a high position where recognition and honor are common, Nandkishordasji Swami remained aloof from such positions, and continued to behave as a servant of Shreeji Maharaj and his devotees. Alongside, while being the Mahant (Chief), he played an important role in the development and expansion of many other places such as Pij, Dabhan, Surat, Dholera and Mumbai. Wherever he went, everyone would be attracted to this divine persona and would express their desires for him to stay there forever. Many great and unprecedented tasks were performed by Nandkishordasji Swami. One such example is the celebration of the Pagh Mahotsav in remembrance of the Pagh that Shreeji Maharaj had given to Kotwal Ardeshar of Surat. The Pagh was placed on a golden throne situated on an elephant and was displayed within the streets of Surat. In addition, flower petals were showered upon the Pagh from a helicopter! Such a sight was the first within the Swaminarayan Sampraday. Anything and everything that Nandkishordasji Swami performed left everyone in awe and became a trend for others to follow.  Regardless, whenever asked or praised, he would always say “All that is done is due to the grace of Lord Swaminarayan and my Guru. Such was his humbleness that even today, brings tears to many people’s eyes.
 
Whenever a person performs great deeds, there are always those who appreciate it. But, on the other hand, ill-minded people are also present who detest such work due to jealousy and envy. Such was the case with Swamiji as well. Even though many considered Swami as their enemy and an obstacle, he never had even a single thought of such kind. He would serve even his enemies with heart! His sole belief was that whatever happens is all due to the wishes of Shreeji Maharaj. Due to this exquisite characteristic of sadhuta - saintliness, even those who came to harm him would fall in his feet and ask for forgiveness. 
 
On the day of Vikram Samvat 2039, Kartik Sud 7, 8 AM – Pujya Swami ascended back to Akshardham by the wishes of Shreeji Maharaj. Distress and anguish spread across the Satsang community as Swamishri’s generous mother-like personality etched a mark in everyone’s hearts. Indefinitely, Sadguru Shri Nandkishordasji Swami was a generous personality that gifted a great deal to all. Although, his biggest gift to all of us is the very sadhu looking after us today, our Guruji. 

H.D.H Sadguru Shastri Shri Ghanshyamprakashdasji Swami (Pujya Guruji), the founder of Shree Swaminarayan Gurukul Kandari, was born on July 26th, 1958 on the auspicious day of Adhik Shravan Sud Ekadashi in the remote village of Vedavadar, Gujarat, India. From a very young age, Vinod (Pujya Guruji’s childhood name) was quite brilliant and studious. He had a natural inclination for spiritual learning and for reading religious scriptures. Even in primary school, he consistently demonstrated his conviction of Lord Swaminarayan’s supremacy. In addition, he sought the pure life of Lord Swaminarayan’s saints life as means to obtain supreme spiritual realization and salvation. After his Guru, Sadguru Shri Nandkishordasji Swami, he became the sixth successor in the distinguished spiritual lineage of Sadguru Shri Muktanand Swami.
 
Despite ever-growing responsibilities, along with frequent vicharan (religious tours), he consistently continues to reach out to thousands of individuals and share the doctrines of Lord Swaminarayan. As of now, he has performed 30+ international religious tours which have proved beneficial in positively shaping the lives of many souls. His efforts in serving the community have left many inspired to do the same. For over 10 years, Loyadham Mandir Vadodara has been serving food daily as alms to the poor.
 
He is the founder of numerous institutions in not only India but globally. Over the span of 25 years, Pujya Guruji has established ten institutions. Namely, these include Loyadham Gurukul Kandari, Loyadham Mandir Vadodara, Loyadham Gurukul Navli, and Loyadham Surat. In the United States, Loyadham Mandir NJ,  Loyadham Mandir GA, and Loyadham Mandir FL. Many other chapters are also located in various regions of the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Emulating his childhood actions to serve God, today, Pujya Guruji mainly resides in the pious village of Loya where he oversees construction efforts for one of the grandest temples ever established.
 
As a result of his selflessness and motherly-like love for devotees young and old, countless devotees have dedicated themselves to the Loyadham organization as their pathway to worship Lord Swaminarayan. Today, the organization has over 50 sadhus (saints) who have dedicated their lives to the service of God and society. Pujya Guruji has ensured that these saints receive a higher-level education in various fields such as Sanskrit, Music, Poetry, Art, etc.
 
Moreover, individuals who have never been introduced to this Sampraday of Lord Swaminarayan also melt in his divine presence. An event exemplifying this took place on July 30th, 2016, when New Jersey’s Raritan-borough Mayor Mr. Charles McMullin, swayed by his true saintliness, decided to honor him with the Key to the Town of Raritan.  Similarly, allured by the saintliness of Pujya Guruji’s disciples, Pro Vice Chancellor of Patanjali University, Dr. Vachaspati Kulvant,  specially came for the darshan of Pujya Guruji in 2019. In merely one meeting, he gave up his previous beliefs and accepted Pujya Guruji as his spiritual guru. 
 
According to the religious scriptures of the Swaminarayan sampraday, Lord Swaminarayan resides in his Ekantik Saint and does unimaginable work. H.D.H Ghanshyamprakashdasji Swami’s authentic aspirations and the presence of God within him are the very reason that his life is such an inspiration to saints and devotees in the Swaminarayan Sect. Today, his journey as an ideal Satpurush and as an Ekantik Sadhu continue to inspire, positively change, and rejuvenate the lives of thousands of individuals across the world.


Timeline
1958 – Manifestation in Vedavadar, Gujarat, India
1971 – First meeting with Sadguru Shri Nandkishordasji Swami (Age - 13)
1974 – Darshan of Ghanshyam Maharaj in Surat with consent to become a sadhu. Parshad Diksha in Vadiya. (Age – 16)
1975 – Bhagvati Diksha – Initiation into Sadhu-hold (Age – 17)
1983 – Sadguru Shri Nandkishordasji Swami ascends to Akshardham (Age – 31)
1989 – Shilanyas (Foundation Laying Ceremony) of Loyadham Gurukul Kandari (Age – 31)
1994 – Opening Ceremony of Loyadham Gurukul Kandari (Age – 36)
1998 – Establishment of Loyadham Mandir Vadodara (February 1, 1998) (Age – 40)
Received Seva of Loyadham Gujarat (Akhatrij) (Age – 40)2004 – Pratishtha Ceremony of Ghanshyam Maharaj in Loyadham (Age – 46)
2005 – Received Seva of Loyadham Gurukul Navli (Age 47)
2008 – Suvarna Shilanyas Mahotsav of Loyadham Gujarat (September 10, 2008) (Age – 50)
Commencement of Loyadham Gurukul Navli as an International School. (Age – 50)2009 – Establishment of Loyadham Mandir GA (Age – 51)
2010 – Establishment of Loyadham Mandir NJ (Age – 52)
2011 – Establishment of Loyadham UK (Age – 53)
2015 - Pratishtha Ceremony of Ghanshyam Maharaj in Loyadham NJ (Age – 57)
2017 – Establishment of Loyadham Canada (August 13, 2017) (Age – 59)
2019 - Establishment of Loyadham Florida (Age – 61)
 2021 – Received Seva of Loyadham Surat (Age – 63)