Mahant Swami Maharaj

Mahant Swami Maharaj (born Vinu Patel, 13 September 1933; 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.^: 157 BAPS regards him as the sixth spiritual successor of Swaminarayan, following Gunatitanand Swami, Bhagatji Maharaj, Shastriji Maharaj, Yogiji Maharaj, and Pramukh Swami Maharaj.^: 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.^: 46–7

Mahant Swami Maharaj received initiation as a Hindu swami from Yogiji Maharaj in 1961. He was revealed by Pramukh Swami Maharaj as his future spiritual and administrative successor in 2012, roles he assumed upon Pramukh Swami Maharaj's passing in August 2016.