| The Swaminarayan sampraday, as established by bhagvan Swaminarayan himself, is known as “Shadangi” sampraday. In other words, the Swaminarayan sampradaya has a six-fold infrastructure, or it has six main pillars/parts.
They are: Temples, Murties, Books, Acharyas, Saints, and Hari Bhktas.
¨ Temples and Murties
Bhagwan Swaminarayan himself built 6 temples and installed idols (Murties) with his own hands. Hence they have special significance. They are:
Temples Murtis Meaning
|
Ahmedabad |
Narnarayan Dev |
A pair of: Arjun + Krishna |
|
Bhuj |
Narnarayan Dev |
A pair of: Arjun + Krishna |
|
Vadtal |
Laxminarayan Dev
Harikrishna Maharaj |
A pair of: Laxmiji + Narayan
Bhagvan himself, the unique idol |
|
Dholera |
Madanmohanji Maharaj |
A pair of: Radhaji + Krishna |
|
Junagadh |
Radharaman Dev |
A pair of: Radhaji + Krishna |
|
Ghadhada |
Gopinathji Maharaj |
A pair of: Gopi + Krishna |
¨Books
There are many books, but some of the most important ones are:
1.Sikshapatri:
- A code of conduct for welfare and benefit of all the souls.
- A simple guide, having only 212 verses, for how to live a life.
- Bhagwan himself wrote in Vadtal.
2.Vachanamrut;
- The divine speech of God himself which provides an essence of the spiritual knowledge.
- Bhagwan’s own exact and un-modified words, from various katha sessions.
- Written by: 1. Muktanand Swami 2. Nityanand Swami,
3. Gopalanand Swami 4. Shukanand Swami
- Approved by Bhagwan himself.
3. Satsangijivan
- A book about Bhagwan’s life activities and charitras.
- Also describes how satsangies should live their life, to achieve the goal of moksha.
- Written by Satanand swami, approved by bhagvan..
4. Many more ……..
¨Acharyas and 2 Gadies
Only for the administrative purpose, bhagwan divided Swaminarayan sampraday into two geographical regions.
1. North India, called Ahmedabad Gadi, and 2. South India, called Vadtal Gadi.
Note, these two gadies are separate only for the administrative purpose. Otherwise, they both belong to the same, one and only one, the original Swaminarayan sampraday.
Bhagvan appointed his two nephews (one son of each of his own two brothers) as a head or Acharyas of these two gadies.
1. Ahmedabad Gadi : First Acharaya: Ayodhyaprasadji Maharaj
2. Vadtal Gadi: First Acharaya: Raghuvirji Maharaj
¨ Saints
- 500 saints with Bhagwan
- Some of the leading saints at that time were:
Muktanand swami, Gopalanand swami, Brahmanand swami, Nityanand swami, Nishkulanand swami, Premanand swami, Bhumanand swami and many more.
¨ Haribhakts
- Many male and female haribhakts were there around bhagvan
- Some of the leading haribhakts were:
- Dada Khachar, Mulji Brahmachari, Mayaram Bhatt, Sura Khachar, Parvatbhai, Zinabhai, Govardhanbhai, and many more. - Lalita (Laduba), Jaya (Jivuba), Rajbai, Ladhiba, Panchuba, and many more. | 
Sampraday