Jay Swaminarayan,
The Swaminarayan Sampraday is a bhakti path formed on 31st december 1801 CE. This sect of Hinduism focusses on knowledge, righteousness and detachment.
Lord Swaminarayan, who is considered to be Purushottam by the Swaminarayan Sampraday, was born/incarnated on 3rd april 1781 and left home at age 11 to establish ekantik dharma, taking with him only a picture of the lord, a loin cloth and a book containing the gist of the scriptures and at the age of 13 he performed austerities standing on one leg, in meditation for two and a half months, without food and water.
He abolished distinctions of caste and untouchability by promoting the belief that one should consider themself to be atma. He iniated many Sadhus into the fold and promoted non-violence, non-addiciton, non attachment, and celibacy. Hence Swaminarayan followers are not allowed to drink alcohol, smoke, take drugs, eat meat, egg, onion or garlic and must be celibate until marriage.
He also abolished sati, dowry, killing newborn babies. He granted samadhi to many and allowed non-Hindus to become Hindu [a Muslims converted in his time].
He had a great impact in his time and what I have written is just a few details. If you have any specific questions do ask... Please check the following link for other info.
www.baps.org .
This is a growing sect and currently has 3 shikharbadh Mandirs in the western hemisphere:
www.mandir.org ,
http://www.swaminarayan.org/globalnetwork/america/chicago.htm ,
http://www.swaminarayan.org/globalnetwork/america/houston.htm
And currently 3 more in construction:
http://www.chinohillshindumandir.org/ , http://www.swaminarayan.org/globalnetwork/america/toronto.htm , http://www.swaminarayan.org/globalnetwork/america/edison.htm