Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha

Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (IAST: Bocāsanvāsī Akshar Purushottam Swāminārāyan Sansthā), often abbreviated as BAPS (formerly Bochasan Swaminarayan Sanstha or BSS), is a worldwide religious and civic organization within the Swaminarayan branch of Hinduism. BAPS was established as a formal organization on 5 June 1907 by Shastriji Maharaj. It was formed on the founder's doctrinal stand that Swaminarayan had promised to remain manifest in the person of Akshar, a term used to describe his chief devotee and Swaminarayan's abode. Due to the organizational emphasis on the doctrine, also spelled as the "Akshar Purushottam" doctrine, it essentially forms part of the organization's middle name. The fundamental beliefs of BAPS include the spiritual guidance through Akshar as the Gunatit Guru who is believed to be in close proximity to Swaminarayan and the necessity to identify with the living Guru as a means to acquire oneness with Akshar and offer pure worship to Swaminarayan. Gunatitanand Swami is recognized in BAPS as the foremost Akshar in the lineage of Gunatit Gurus. He was succeeded by Bhagatji Maharaj, Shastriji Maharaj and then Yogiji Maharaj. Pramukh Swami Maharaj is the current guru and spiritual leader of BAPS.