3. A. Spiritual and Hinduism cultural Message
B. Applied Research in Social Harmony (RSH)
C. Humble tribute to Bhagwan Swaminarayan
Main Purpose
4. Ghanshyam Pande
3 April 1781, Chhapaiya (Uttar Pradesh)
1 June 1830 ,Gadhada (Gujarat)
an avatar of Narayana,
Founder of Swaminarayan Sampraday
Denomination Vaishnavism
Guru Swami Ramanand
His parents, Hariprasad Pande (Dharmadev) and Premvati
Pande (Bhaktimata and Murtidevi)
brother, Rampratap Pande & Ichcharam Pande. He is said to
have mastered the scriptures, including the Vedas, the
Upanishads, the Puranas, the Ramayana, and the Mahabharata
by the age of seven, mastered Astanga yoga (eightfold yoga) in
a span of 9 months. Ghanshyam left home at the age of 11 to
travel the length and breadth of India. His 7 year journey
focused on reestablishing the ideals of Hindu Sanatan Dharma.
He was known by the name of Neelkanth Varni. His lifelong
journey of bringing people closer to God. Swaminarayan believe
that the jiva or soul goes to Akshardham after attaining
moksha, or liberation
History Of Swaminarayan
5. FACTS AND FIGURES
Gujarat
Gandhi nagar
November 2, 1992, built over 13 years
23-acre built from 6,000 metric tons of pink sandstone &
marbles from Rajasthan. 108 ft H, 131 ft W and 240 ft L and
features 97 carved pillars, 17 domes, 8 balconies, 220 stone
beams and 264 sculpted figures. In accordance with Vedic
architectural principles, no steel or iron has been used
anywhere in the mandir. 20 ft long stone beams, each weighing
five tons, 7ft. gold-leafed Murti of Swaminarayan and weighs 1.2
tons
6. FACTS AND FIGURES
Delhi
November 6, 2005
it took more than 2 years for construction and Rs.2 billion.
300 million volunteer hours went into making the complex Build
over an area of 100 acres on the banks of the Yamuna River.
11,000 artisans and volunteers from across the world
participated in building it .
It measures 356 ft. L, 316 ft. W and 141 ft. H
It consists of 234 ornately carved pillars, 9 ornate domes,
20 quadrangled shikhars and 20,000 murtis and statues of
India's great sadhus, devotees, acharyas and divine
personalities.It sits on the banks of the Yamuna nearest
2010 Commonwealth Games village.
7. A. Constructed by Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar
Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS)
B. Inspired by HH Yogiji Maharaj (1892-1971 CE)
C. Created by His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj
CREATOR
8. MAIN ATTRACTIONS OF TEMPLE
Sahajanand Van is a 15-acre garden, rock arrangements,
fountains, a waterfall, and a 18,000 sq. ft. plant nursery,
Sat-Chit-Anand Water Show, six cultural wisdom spots which
teachings of Hinduism.
Hall of Values
Also known as Sahajanand Pradarshan, the Hall of Values
features life-like robotics and dioramas.
Theatre
Named Nilkanth Kalyan Yatra, the theatre houses Delhi's first
and only large format screen, measuring 85 ft x 65 ft. Mystic
India, an international version of the film called, was released
in 2005 at IMAX theatres and giant screen cinemas worldwide.
A 27ft tall bronze statue of Nilkanth Varni is located outside the
theatre.
9. Musical Fountain
The statue of Nilkanth Varni in its background.
Known as the Yagnapurush Kund, The fountain is named
after the founder of the Hindu organization, Shastriji Maharaj.
300 ft x 300 ft In its center lies an 8-petaled lotus shaped .
Boat Ride
Sanskruti Vihar, this ride takes visitors on a journey through
10,000 years of Indian history in approximately 12 mins.
Visitors sit in specially designed peacock shaped boats that
make their way around an artificial river, passing through a
model of Takshashila, the world's first university, chemistry
laboratories, ancient hospitals, and bazaars.
10. Guinness world record
On 17 December 2007, Michael Whitty
The record was presented for Akshardham as the
World's Largest Comprehensive Hindu Temple
(certificate).
The certificate states,
"BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham in New Delhi,
India, is the world's largest comprehensive Hindu
temple, covering an area of 86,342 sq ft (8,021.4 m2).
11. Disputes
Three temples,
the Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai (17 acres),
the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam (15.6 acres),
the Arunachaleswarar Temple in Thiruvannamalai (24 acres),
all located in Tamil Nadu, India, are claimed to be larger than
Akshardham.
The trustees of these temples have reportedly disputed the
Guinness World Record.
Authorities at the Meenakshi temple have argued that temples
are places for worship and hence restaurants, boating facilities
and other entertainment facilities cannot be part of the temple
which is the case of Akshardham.
They have also argued that construction area of the actual
temple is more important than the land area.
12. Terror Attack
On 24.09.2002 at about 4.30 p.m., two persons
armed with AK-56 rifles, hand grenades etc. entered
the Swaminarayan Akshardham temple situated at
Gandhinagar, Gujarat from gate No.3. The attack resulted in the
killing of 33 persons, including NSG commandos, personnel
from the State Commando Force and three other persons from
SRP group. Nearly 86 persons, including 23 police officers and
jawans were grievously injured.
The Indian National Security Guard intervened and ended the
siege by killing both terrorists. The Akshardham complex was
reopened fourteen days after the attack.
13. TIMINGS
• Complex First Entry: 9.30 AM
• Last Entry: 6.30 PM
• Exhibitions: 10.30 am to 6.00 pm
• Musical Fountain: 7.45 pm
• ( that timings will change as per season, depending
on Sunset timings)
• Night Lighting: On Saturdays, Sundays.
• Restaurant Premvati: 11:00 am to 8:00 pm
• Shop: 11:00 am to 8:00 pm
•
• Time needed to view Akshardham:
•
• Main Mandir and Gardens – 1h 30mins
• Hall of Values, Boat Ride and Theatre - 3 hours
