Chhapaiya is a special place. Chhapaiya is the birth place of Lord Swaminarayan! Swaminarayan was born on 3 April 1781 and given the name Ghanshyam. Swaminarayan left Earth on 1 June 1830 for Akshardham (the celestial abode for, and of, the devine, and not the temple by that name in Delhi). He was cremated at Lakshmi Wadi in Gadhada. I’ve been there too, so please check this page(where you will have to scroll down).
Chhapaiyadham is in the foreground and includes JanmSthan, the very birth place of Lord Swaminarayan, the Shree Swaminarayan Mandir is in the backgroundThe very birth spot of Lord SwaminarayanSadguru Shree Madhavpriyadasji Swami (right) performs sacred Vedic tradition of Abhishek on or for Lord Swaminarayan
There are many sacred places to visit in and near Chhapaiya. Here are just a few. Please assist by correcting the captions or advising of places to add.
Peepal is a tree from which theives sought to steel the fruit. Ghanshyam prevented the theft, the theives repented and offered divine service by which they secured a pardonThe Jambu fruit tree in which Lord Swaminarayan climbedThe well from which Lord Swaminarayan saved Iccharambhai or BhutiyoKuvo (p 41)?Is this the well with ghosts in? Please advise. Thank you.Shravan Talavadi, the site at which Lord Swaminarayan restored the sight of blind people who could not afford to pay for the medical assistance they neededNarayan Sarover, the lake to the rear of the Chhapaiya campus, in which Lord Swaminarayan would batheShri Pandey, on the left, who led the tour of sacred sites, is a direct descendent of Lord Swaminarayan as is his son, Gaurav, on the right. We are pictured with Sadguru Shree Madhavpriyadasji Swami in their housePlease forgive me another selfie, but with a direct descendent of Lord Swaminarayan! The site of Jambul trees in which the playful Ghanshyam climbed to taste rose applesMeen or Min Sarovar, the site at which Ghanshyam persuaded fishermen to stop so fish could live. Ahimsa, or nonviolence, is considered by some to be the highest form of religionGangajaliyoKuvo: the well in which Ghanshyam fell! The water of the well is sanctified like Gangaji due to the pious touch of Charanraj of Prabhu
PICTURE NEEDED: The site at which Lord Swaminarayan, at that time named Ghanshyam, had his ears pierced
Khanpa Talavadi where Ghanshyam sustained an injury to his thigh while climbing in a ambli tree. Shanshyam had been at the talavadi with friends to hear a Ram Katha. Talavadi is a small pool of waterGhanshyampur Grint or Gaughat? where Ghanshyam brought forth water from a dry river to ensure his thisty friends and their animals could drink
This page might or ought to be added to, and corrected where necessary, so please check back.
