Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha

Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha

(Gujarati: બોચાસનવાસી શ્રી અક્ષ૨પુરુષોત્તમ સ્વામિનારાયણ સંસ્થા), IAST:Bocāsanvāsī Akshar Purushottam Swāminārāyan Sansthā), often abbreviated as BAPS (formerly Bochasan Swaminarayan Sanstha or BSS), is a major organization within the Swaminarayan sect of Hinduism. The organization was established on 5 June 1907 by Shastri Yagnapurushdas orShastriji Maharaj (1865–1951), a Sanskrit scholar and sadhu who left theVadtal Gadi of the Swaminarayan Sampraday in 1905. The Akshar Purushottam Upasana, an interpretation of Bhagwan Swaminarayan's succession, is what led to the formation of this present organization. Shastriji Maharaj's successor was Yogiji Maharaj. Presently the sanstha is headed byPramukh Swami Maharaj.

BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha is a charitable Non-governmental organizationaffiliated with the United Nations. The organization is recognized as a Non-Governmental Organization that holds General Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.