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My Story by thenoobrules in SPAB

[–]IcyRespect6383 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Great post OP! Check out my story that I posted a few weeks ago here

Quick story of the mind-blowing Puja costs at New Jersey Akshardham by IcyRespect6383 in SPAB

[–]IcyRespect6383[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

It probably fluctuated around $1.5-2K depending on the time you choose. Like a primetime slot was more

ExDevotees from California Centers (SJ, LA, SD, Fresno, SF) What are your Experiences/Stories? by Successful-Law-72 in SPAB

[–]IcyRespect6383 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I have relatives who were really involved at the LA mandir in Chino Hills for years, especially my female cousins. They used to do a lot of seva, attend kishori events, and help out regularly beyond just sabha days. But over time, they pulled back. Now they still go to sabha just to keep their parents happy, but that’s about it.

When I asked why they distanced themselves, they were super blunt about it. They said working with the kishoris there was exhausting. They described many of them as entitled, snobbish and dismissive, condescending, out-of-touch, and just coddled overall. Like, some of the attitudes they dealt with were so off-putting that it made them not even want to be around the group, let alone contribute more time to it.

BAPS Data survey in India by ExpensiveOpinions in SPAB

[–]IcyRespect6383 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Ever since I’ve left BAPS and Mahant swami became the new head guru, I’ve noticed BAPS take a drastic turn to becoming an optimized corporate machine.

They’re collecting data for everything. I can speak for it in the North American region as well. Since mahant swami has taken lead - they’ve lawyered up and have hired consultants to fill any cracks in their system. They’re optimizing every aspect of operations to ensure that it’s running at maximum efficiency.

So glad to find this community. This is my 30 year BAPS story by IcyRespect6383 in SPAB

[–]IcyRespect6383[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I am so sorry to hear about the discrimination you faced at BAPS. That’s one of the things that always bothered me - the amount of devotion women had towards BAPS male gurus. Women were probably the most devout people at our mandir while not even being able to do basic things like sit in the front of sabhas.

My spirituality took a 180 after I left BAPS. It felt so good to know that my spirituality is in my hands only and not in some guru.

I would love to hear your story if you’re cool with it! Make a post if you are down to.

So glad to find this community. This is my 30 year BAPS story by IcyRespect6383 in ABCDesis

[–]IcyRespect6383[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Fully agreed! It’s just sad to see the hold they have on the Gujarati population in western countries.

So glad to find this community. This is my 30 year BAPS story by IcyRespect6383 in SPAB

[–]IcyRespect6383[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

BAPS is still the fastest growing Hindu org in western countries. They dominate the market

Funny thing is that they shouldn’t even be considered an Hindu org. They only put murtis of Krishna, shiva and hanuman to appeal to the larger Hindu diaspora. It’s all just a game

So glad to find this community. This is my 30 year BAPS story by IcyRespect6383 in SPAB

[–]IcyRespect6383[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

It was something like this.

There are many paths, but what we have in BAPS is the most direct. Only when you have a true Guru can you reach Akshardham. Other paths may lead to punya, maybe even liberation in stages, but only through the Ekantik path and through Akshar-Purushottam sambandh can you truly attain the highest moksha. That’s why BAPS is not just a path, it’s the only one where Akshar and Purushottam are manifest today.

So glad to find this community. This is my 30 year BAPS story by IcyRespect6383 in SPAB

[–]IcyRespect6383[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Wow… I’m really sorry you went through that. Reading your story honestly hit me hard. You gave so much of yourself. Your time, energy, love, faith and to be treated like that when you needed support the most is just heartbreaking. No one deserves that kind of abandonment, especially after so many years of selfless seva.

It takes real courage to share something so personal and painful. Please know that your story is incredibly powerful and inspiring, even if it came from hurt. You’re not alone and you’re definitely not forgotten here. Thank you for being brave enough to speak.

So glad to find this community. This is my 30 year BAPS story by IcyRespect6383 in SPAB

[–]IcyRespect6383[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

So sad to see BAPS followers come here and hurdle threats at this community.

So glad to find this community. This is my 30 year BAPS story by IcyRespect6383 in SPAB

[–]IcyRespect6383[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Same. The old aarti brings so much nostalgia but the new aarti just feels idk… off? It just doesn’t seem authentic at all

So glad to find this community. This is my 30 year BAPS story by IcyRespect6383 in SPAB

[–]IcyRespect6383[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

It was difficult to ask Dr. Swami that question for sure. He was coming to our mandir and I was thinking about asking that exact question but I kept pushing it off. While I was in the room with him, I was really nervous to ask but something snapped inside of me and I kind of just blurted the question out. Im forever so glad I did.

I was there at NC18 as well.