Gandhinagar Swaminarayan Akshardham,- Gujarat

Address

Gandhinagar Swaminarayan Akshardham, J Road, Sector 20, Gandhinagar, Gujarat 382020

Deity

Swaminarayan

Introduction

• Location: Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India.
• Significance: A large Hindu temple complex inspired by Yogiji Maharaj (1892-1971) and created by Pramukh Swami Maharaj (1921-2016), the fourth and fifth spiritual successors of Swaminarayan in the BAPS denomination of Swaminarayan Hinduism.
• Construction: Built over 13 years, the complex is a tribute to Swaminarayan and his teachings.
• Architecture: The central Akshardham mandir is constructed from 6,000 metric tons of pink sandstone sourced from Rajasthan.

Puranic Significance

• Architectural Marvel: The temple is a majestic stone structure, intricately carved and set amid sprawling gardens, covering a 23-acre plot. It stands 108 ft tall, 240 ft long, and 131 ft wide, constructed entirely without steel, adhering to Vastu Shastra principles.
• Main Idol: The centerpiece is a seven-foot high, gold-leafed murti of Lord Swaminarayan, resting on seven sculpted pillars, supported by 210 single-piece stone beams and surrounded by 57 window grills and eight ornate zarokhas.
• Sanctum Sanctorum: Houses a 1.2-tonne gold-plated idol of Lord Swaminarayan in a seated posture with his right hand raised in abhay mudra, flanked by Swami Gunatitanand and Swami Gopalanand, his disciples. According to Swaminarayan philosophy, the Akshardham is considered the eternal abode brought by Lord Swaminarayan during his incarnations.
• Cultural Depictions: Visitors can witness various depictions from Hindu epics, including scenes from Ramayana and Mahabharata, showcasing important figures and stories like Shravan Kumar, the Pandavas’ game of dice, Sabari’s wait for Lord Rama, and Draupadi’s humiliation.

Special Features

• Dimensions: The Akshardham Mandir features 97 carved pillars, 17 domes, 8 balconies, 220 stone beams, and 264 sculpted figures, all designed according to Vedic architectural principles without any steel or iron.
• Construction Details: Utilizes 20-foot-long stone beams, each weighing five tons, as load-bearing supports throughout the mandir.
• Central Chamber: Houses the prominent seven-foot-tall gold-leafed murti of Swaminarayan, who is worshipped as God, resting on a three-foot pedestal.

Festivals

• Janmashtami: Celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna.
• Diwali: The festival of lights, marking the victory of light over darkness.

Century/Period/Age

13 years old

Managed By

Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan (BAPS)

Nearest Bus Station

Gandhinagar

Nearest Railway Station

Gandhinagar

Nearest Airport

Ahmedabad

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