Mahant swami latest photo

The sixth spiritual successor of Swaminarayan

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 received initiation as a Hindu swami from Yogiji Maharaj in 1961.^[11][12] He was revealed by Pramuk