The Naranarāyan Dēv Gadī, named after NarNarayan Dev, is one of the two Gadis that together form the Swaminarayan Sampraday. Its headquarter is at the Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Ahmedabad and controls the Uttar Vibhag
In the Vachanamrit (Vadtal 18), Shreeji Maharaj explains the importance of and knowing ones Guru Parampara (lineage). For, if one is asked about the same, a response is immediately given.
Shree Ramanand Swami was Uddhav incarnate. He received Vaishnavi Diksha from Shree Ramanuj Acharya, personally whilst in a dream-state. So Ramanuj Acharya is Ramanand Swamis Guru. Shreeji Maharaj is that Ramanand Swamis disciple and successor.
In Vadtal, on Prabodhini Ekadashi of Vikram Samvat 1882, after due deliberation Shreeji Maharaj adopted His nephews Ayodhyaprasadji Pande and Raghuveerji Pande as His sons. Establishing the two Gadis i.e. NarNarayan Dev Gadi at Ahmedabad and LaxmiNarayan Dev Gadi at Vadtal, Shreeji Maharaj instructed the two brothers to draw lots, to decide who would be seated on which Gadi. Shreeji Maharaj then instructed all the followers present to do poojan of their respective Acharyas. Ayodhyaprasadji Maharaj was appointed the inaugural Acharya of the NarNarayan Dev Gadi (also known as the Uttar Vibhag - Northern division), whilst Raghuveerji Maharaj became the inaugural Acharya of the LaxmiNarayan Dev Gadi (also known as the Dakshin Vibhag - Southern division.
Ayodhyaprasadji Maharaj was appointed the inaugural Acharya of the NarNarayan Dev Gadi (also known as the Uttar Vibhag - Northern division), whilst Raghuveerji Maharaj became the inaugural Acharya of the LaxmiNarayan Dev Gadi (also known as the Dakshin Vibhag - Southern division.
It is worth recalling the event when his sister-in-law Suvasinibhabhi was bathing Ghanshyam Maharaj. She noticed various symbols on the soles of His feet. When Ghanshyam Maharaj asked what she was looking, Suvasinibhabhi replied, Baapuji has mentioned that the lines on your feet show to be a king of the future. Ghanshyam Maharaj calmly replied, If that be the case, then I shall give my kingdom to your son.
The Acharya of the NarNarayan Dev Gadi at Ahmedabad is presently His Holiness Acharya Shri Koshlendraprasadji Maharaj.
The method by which future Acharyas are to be appointed is enshrined in the document known as Desh Vibhag No Lekh. It is not only a legal document that has stood the testing times since its existence, it is an instruction primarily to the Acharyas, but with specific instructions for the ordinary followers also.
Shree Laxmi Narayan Dev Gadi
The Laxminarayan Dev Gadi is one of the two gadis that together form the Swaminarayan Sampraday. It is headquartered at the Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Vadtal and controls the Dakshin Vibhag Lekh.