Shree Swaminarayan Vadtal is the organization of original Shree Swaminarayan Sampraday (the Sect) Southern diocese of Shree Laxminaryan Dev - Vadtal, founded by Bhagwan Shree Swaminaryan Himself.
Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Vadtal, the head quarter of Shri LaxmiNarayan Dev Gadi. This temple contains three main shrines. Among which the central shrine is consecrated by installing the idols of Shri LaxmiNarayan Dev. On the right of this, the idols of Shri Radha Krishna accompanied with Supreme Lord Shri Swaminarayan in the form of Shri HariKrishna Maharaj are installed and on the left of Shri LaxmiNarayan Dev the idols of Shri Vasudev, Shri Dhamapita and Bhaktimata are installed. These idols in the temple were installed by Bhagwan Swaminarayan on 3rd November 1824, amidst the holy chants of Vedic hymns and devotional fervor of the installation ceremony.
When Swaminarayan Bhagwan arrived on this Earth, His goal was to free as many souls as possible and guide them to His divine abode Akshardham. To assist in this mission, Swaminarayan Bhagwan ordained nearly 3000 ascetic saints, collectively known as the Nand saints. They withstood an insurmountable amount of hardship in order to lay the foundations of Swaminarayan sampradaya (sect) and spread Swaminarayan Bhagwan’s principles throughout India.
In Hinduism, an Aacharya holds an important role of being a spiritual leader, assigned by God himself, for the devotee whose sole goal is the attainment of ultimate salvation. He acts as a leader for his disciples. Aacharya has the right to initiate disciples into the sect and propound the Vedic doctrines. He preaches not only through the knowledge of the scriptures, but also through his own spiritual experiences. The main role of an Aacharya is to initiate disciples by a sacred thread and give them gurumantra [Yagnavalkya Smriti, Chapter 2, Verse 19]. Thus, Aacharya is an ideal person who acts as a source of inspiration, guidance and an exemplary model whose footsteps are followed by millions of followers.
In 1826 at Vadtal on Prabodhini Ekadashi of Vikram Samvat 1882 , Swaminarayan established the dual Acharyaship in Dharmavanshi Acharyas, whom he intended as his successor. "Dharmavanshi" means "belonging to the lineage of Dharmadev" – the father of Swaminarayan.
Swaminarayan enthroned his two adopted sons, Acharya Maharajshree Ayodhyaprasad Pande and Acharya Maharajshree Raghuvir Pande, who were the sons of his brothers Rampratapji and Ichcharamji, as the spiritual leaders of the Nar Narayan Dev Gadi headquartered at Ahmedabad and the Laxmi Narayan Dev Gadi headquartered at Vadtal respectively. He installed them as the Acharyas for all followers, including householders and ascetics. Swaminarayan gave sole authority to these two individuals to install murtis in temples and to initiate sadhus and householders into the Sampraday. He did this using a legal document known as "Desh Vibhag no Lekh", which he dictated and was written by Shukanand Swami. Learned saints and elder satsangis witnessed this document. The Acharyas of the Sampraday are administrative heads, spiritual leaders and the gurus of their followers. Since the acharyas are supposed to refrain from contact with the opposite sex, except close relations, the acharyas' wives are the gurus for female members of the sect, and must avoid contact with unfamiliar men.
Gopalanand Swami was born as Khushal Bhatt in Monday, Maha Sud 8, 1837 in a town called Todla (Idr area). At Gadhpur, Khusal Bhatt was given Bhagwati Diksha on Samvat 1864 Kartik Vad 8 and was given the name of Gopalanand Swami.
Gopalanand Swami became a prominent sadhu of Swaminarayan sampraday. He mainly stayed in Vadodra. After Lord Swaminarayan left this world, he lived for another 22 years making sure the Swaminarayan sampraday was running properly. He died in Samvat 1908 Vaishakh Ved 5 at Vadtal. During his lifetime, he wrote 19 books in Sanskrit and 6 books in other languages.
Gunatitanand Swami was born as Mul Sharma in VS 1841, in the town of Bhadra in Gujarat. His father was called Bhodanath and his mother was called Sakarba. He always saw the divine image of the Lord.
He passed about 40 years in Junagadh, as the Mahant(Head) of the Swaminarayan- temple. On this status also, he used to render services even for sweeping and assisting construction work in the temple. By his talks, there was a change of heart even of wicked persons and they were inspired to lead noble life. The book Swami ni Vato regarding his preachings is an eternal remembrance of Swamiji, which is inspiring and guiding many on the path of salvation.
Brahmanand Swami was born as Ladudanji in Vasant Panchami 1828 in a town called Khann (near Abu in Rajastan). Brahmanand Swami's diksha took place in 1861.
Brahmanand Swami heard the news that Lord Swaminarayan has left this world, he immediately went to Gadhada where the Agni Sanskar was taking place of Lord Swaminarayan. Gopalanand Swami consoling Brahmanand Swami stated that Lord Swaminarayan would be ever present with his astral body as He is Omnipresent. Brahmanand Swami went straight to Gadhada mandir in front of Gopinathji Maharaj. Lord Swaminarayan appeared in front of Brahmanand Swami and garlanded him. Brahmanand Swami realised that Lord Swaminarayan will always reside in the Murtis of Himself.
Nityanand Swami was born as Dinmani Sharma in VS 1812, Kartik Sud 5 in a town called Dantiya. He was one of the saints to write Vachanmrut and he translated the Shikshapatri in Gujurati which was authenticated by Lord Swaminarayan.
Nityanand Swami would attend the discourses arranged by other sampraday. He debated with other saints and was always the winner. No one could put a constructive argument against him. He was one of the saints to write Vachanmrut and he translated the Shikshapatri in Gujurati which was authenticated by Lord Swaminarayan.
During the last days of Lord Swaminarayan, Nityanand Swami was with Him. Lord Swaminarayan gave the prints of His lotus feet to Nityanand Swami and told him to install them at Laxmivadi where a Temple would be erected on the ground where He would be cremated.
Shukanand Swami was the private secretary of Lord Swaminarayan from VS 1855 to 1925. He was one of the five sadhus who compiled and wrote the Vachanamrut.
One day, Shukanand Swami was very ill and could not walk. He sent a message to Lord Swaminarayan that he cannot come today to write any letters. Lord Swaminarayan wanted to show him His divine powers so asked two people to bring him. Shukanand Swami asked what he can do for the Lord. Lord Swaminarayan looked at him and the illness disappeared. From that day on, he was never ill again except for one case.
When Lord Swaminarayan left this world, Shukanand Swami was always sad and felt the pain of separation from the Lord. He prayed to Lord Swaminarayan asking for some illness so that the pain of separation can be reduced. Lord Swaminarayan obliged and for 12 years he had slight pain.
Muktanand Swami was born in v s 1814, in Amrelli, a city on the slopes of Mount Girnar. (Historical name for Amrelli was Amravalli). Mother was Radha and father was Anandram. He was named Mukunddas. (in Sanskrit Mukund means giver of Moksha)
Muktanand Swami had a sister called Dhanbai. Early on she had tried to convince Mukundas to return home but eventually she also accepted the path of Bhakti. Once she came to Gadhapur and was preaching Ramayan to other women. Muktanand remembered this voice and was troubled by the early memories. When he found out that it was her sister he ordered that she be asked to leave. Dhanbai in turn did not want to leave but wanted preaching from Muktanand. He did agree but said that he would not do it face to face but wrote a four verse song 'Mohan ne gamavane eechho manni, tyago serve juthi manani tek jo'