Jalzilani Ekadashi | Shree Swaminarayan Gurukul International School

At Shree Swaminarayan Gurukul Bangalore, the sacred festival of Jalzilani Ekadashi was celebrated with grandeur, devotion, and joy, bringing together saints, students, teachers, and wardens in a spiritually uplifting atmosphere. The celebration commenced with the divine palkhi of Thakorji starting from the ashram, carried gracefully with devotion. Saints offered fragrant flower garlands and petals to Thakorji, and students from the rass team, the band team, and other seva groups joined in the procession, filling the air with energy and devotion. Dhoon echoed throughout, creating a divine atmosphere as the palkhi moved towards the swimming pool. On arrival, students warmly welcomed the palkhi by showering flower petals, while the music seva team sang energetic dhoons that lifted the spirit of the gathering.

At the poolside, Thakorji’s murti was placed in a beautifully decorated boat, and Maharaj was reverently settled inside. This was followed by continuous kirtan bhakti and dhoon as the boat carrying Maharaj was taken around the pool, blessing everyone with divine darshan. Saints, along with the principal, teachers, and wardens, then performed the aarti and offered various thals with devotion. The sequence began with sweets such as laddu, followed by cucumber, banana with water, and finally apples. After each thal offering, melodious kirtans were sung, making the entire environment devotional and spiritually vibrant.

The highlight of the celebration was the sacred abhishek of Thakorji performed with water and flower petals by saints and the warden. This divine act symbolized blessings for all devotees, and the prasadi water mixed with petals was sprinkled on everyone present and poured into the pool, spreading sanctity and joy. Students eagerly received the prasadi, feeling deeply connected to the spiritual significance of the day.

The event also carried a festive spirit filled with fun and togetherness. Students skilled in swimming enthusiastically participated in races, showcasing energy and excitement. The wardens too joined in with their own swimming races, adding a sense of unity and celebration. Finally, saints and seva students themselves entered the pool to swim, showing that the occasion was not only about devotion but also about joy, harmony, and community spirit.

The Jalzilani Ekadashi celebration at Gurukul became a perfect blend of spirituality and festivity. It beautifully demonstrated the tradition of offering devotion to God while also creating moments of happiness and togetherness among all. The day left an everlasting impression on every heart, making it a memorable and spiritually enriching occasion for the entire Gurukul family.