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Mahant Swami Maharaj
The sixth spiritual successor of Swaminarayan / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mahant Swami Maharaj (born Vinu Patel, 13 September 1933;[3] ordained Keshavjivandas Swami) is the present guru and president of the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), a major branch of the Swaminarayan Sampradaya, a Hindu denomination.[4][5][6]: 157 BAPS regards him as the sixth spiritual successor of Swaminarayan, following Gunatitanand Swami, Bhagatji Maharaj, Shastriji Maharaj, Yogiji Maharaj, and Pramukh Swami Maharaj.[7][8][9]: 60–2 He is believed by his followers to be in constant communion with Bhagwan Swaminarayan, and ontologically, the manifestation of Akshar, the perfect devotee of God.[10]: 46–7
Mahant Swami Maharaj | |
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![]() Mahant Swami Maharaj | |
Personal | |
Born | Vinu Patel (1933-09-13) 13 September 1933 (age 90) |
Religion | Hinduism |
Religious career | |
Guru | Yogiji Maharaj,[1] Pramukh Swami Maharaj[2] |
Website | www |
Honors | Spiritual successor of Pramukh Swami Maharaj |
Mahant Swami Maharaj received initiation as a Hindu swami from Yogiji Maharaj in 1961.[11][12] He was revealed by Pramukh Swami Maharaj as his future spiritual and administrative successor in 2012,[13] roles he assumed upon Pramukh Swami Maharaj's passing in August 2016.[7][14]