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Akshardham
The front of Swaminarayan Akshardham, New Delhi
Name:	Akshardham
Creator:	Pramukh Swami Maharaj / BAPS
Date built:	November 6, 2005 (consecration)
Primary deity:	Bhagwan Swaminarayan
Architecture:	Vastu/Pancharatra Shastra
Location:	NH 24, Noida Mor, New Delhi
Coordinates:	See top of page.Coordinates: 28°36′50.35″N, 77°16′39.73″E

Akshardham is a Hindu temple complex in Delhi, India. The monument is also referred to as the Swaminarayan Akshardham or Delhi Akshardham. The building sits on the banks of the Yamuna River and is adjacent to the proposed 2010 Commonwealth Games village.^[1] Akshardham is a temple that displays 10,000 years of Indian culture, ranging from traditions, spirituality, and architecture. The building was inspired and moderated by Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the spiritual head of the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), whose 3,000 volunteers alongside 7,000 artisans helped build Akshardham.

The temple, which attracts seventy percent of all tourists who visit Delhi,^[2] was officially opened on November 6, 2005. The monument features a large central monument crafted entirely of stone, exhibitions on incidents from the life of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and the history of India, an IMAX feature, a musical fountain, large landscaped gardens, and more.

Contents 1 History 1.1 Creator 1.2 Development 1.3 Opening ceremony 2 Temple features 2.1 Central monument 2.2 Hall of values 2.3 Giant screen film 2.4 Boat ride 2.5 Musical fountains 2.6 Garden of India 2.7 Other Features 3 Guinness World Record 3.1 Dispute 4 Gandhinagar Akshardham 5 References 6 See also 7 External links

[edit] History

The building had been planned since 1968, as a vision by Yogiji Maharaj. Yogiji Maharaj, the spiritual head of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha at the time, expressed his desire for wanting a grand temple built on the banks of the river Yamuna, to two or three devotee families of Swaminarayan Bhagwan that resided in New Delhi at the time. Attempts were made but little progress happened, and by 1971 Yogiji Maharaj passed away. By 1982, Pramukh Swami Maharaj, who was next in line as the spiritual head of BAPS, started to continue fulfilling the dream of his guru (Yogiji Maharaj) and prompted the devotees to look into the possibility of building the temple in Delhi. A request for the plan was put forward to the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), and several different places were suggested, such as Ghaziabad, Gurgaon and Faridabad. Pramukh Swami Maharaj stood firm in following the wishes of Yogiji Maharaj and after eighteen years, in April 2000, the DDA offered 60 acres of land, whilst the Uttar Pradesh Government offered 30 acres for the front portion. Upon receiving the land, Pramukh Swami Maharaj performed puja on the site for success in the project. Work started up on the site on November 8 2000, and Akshardham was officially opened on November 6 2005, with the building having been completed two days short of 5 years.^[3]

[edit] Creator

Akshardham was created by Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the current spiritual leader of BAPS. It was created under his guidance after his guru Yogiji Maharaj expressed a wish for the construction of the complex. As well as the Delhi Akshardham, he has created international cultural complexes like the Gandhinagar Akshardham in Gujarat, India,^[4] the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in London,^[5] and similar temples in Nairobi,^[6] Houston,^[7] Chicago,^[8] Toronto^[9] and Atlanta.^[10] He has been recognised by the United Nations for his efforts in religious harmony, and his message of peace and goodwill, having been asked to deliver a message to all at the World Peace Summit of 2000.^[11]

BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha is an international social, spiritual and charitable NGO affiliated with the United Nations, having received the highest recognition by the organisation: General Consultative Status with its Social and Economic Council.^[11] Through its 9000 centers, 750 sadhus (or monks), 55,000 volunteers and over 1,000,000 followers, BAPS performs over a 160 humanitarian activities. Akshardham is a part of BAPS's culture and educational activities to promote Indian art, culture, and values. BAPS also has a charitable arm, known as BAPS Charities.

[edit] Development

Sadhu Ishwarcharandas, one of 7 senior sadhus of BAPS under Pramukh Swami Maharaj, was assigned to oversee the Akshardham project with a team of eight sadhus.^[3] Most of the team had worked on the Gandhinagar Akshardham so they brought a lot of experience with them. Even though they had plenty of experience, after every brainstorming session they would take every set of ideas to Pramukh Swami Maharaj who would then "fine tune it".^[12] When development began, Pramukh Swami Maharaj was consulted in all aspects, including the drawings, the model, the monument, concepts, exhibition themes, the IMAX building, mini lake and plaza. The understanding was that the project should go only as Pramukh Swami Maharaj wished for it to go.^[3]

Around 1997-98, the idea to start development on the temple by beginning the stone-carving (due to the time it would take) had been requested, but Pramukh Swami Maharaj denied it on the grounds that it should begin when the property had been confirmed. It was later realised that this was a good thing, as the attention to detail would not have been at the standard it currently is. The first bit of work done to the site was the foundation. The site wasn't considered ideal due to the soft river bank, so a deep foundation was imperative. To do this, they used 15 feet of rocks and sand entwined with wire mesh and topped by five feet of concrete. Five million specially fired bricks raised the foundation another 21.5 feet, which was then topped by three more feet of concrete to form the main support under the monument.^[3]

On 2 July 2001, the first sculpted stone was laid.^[13] For the stone work, the team of eight had two sadhus, Sadhu Shritidas and Sadhu Parampurushdas, who were both scholars in the field of the Pancharatra Shastra, a scripture that teaches rules of architecture including temples and carvings of Deities. The whole team of sadhus watched over the carvings based off research on Indian craftsmanship from between 8th and 12th century, and from travelling to Cambodia to visit the ancient temples of Angkor Wat, as well as Jodhpur, Jagannath Puri, Konark and temples in South India.^[3]

Seven thousand carvers and three thousand volunteers were put to work for Akshardham.^[3] With over 6,000 tonnes of pink sandstone coming from Rajasthan^[14] workshop sites were put up around places from within the state like Pindvada and Sikandra, as well as surrounding villages where more then two dozen workshops were situated. Amongst the carvers were local farmers and fifteen hundred tribal women who had suffered from drought, and received economic gain due to this work. The initial stone cutting was done in short order by machine, whilst the detailed carvings were done by hand. Every night, over a hundred trucks would be sent to Akshardham, where four thousand workers and volunteers operated on site. The volunteers were put into groups that worked night and those that worked during the day in order to finish putting the temple together.^[3]

[edit] Opening ceremony

Akshardham was consecrated on November 6, 2005, by Pramukh Swami Maharaj, and ceremoniously dedicated to the nation by the President of India, Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, and Leader of the Opposition in the Indian Parliament, Lal Krishna Advani, whilst in the presence of 25,000 guests.^[15][12] After touring the central monument, President Kalam then gave a speech on where Akshardham fits with society, and finished by saying,

“

Pramukh Swamiji Maharaj has inspired thousands of people across the country and abroad and brought together the best of the minds for creating a beautiful cultural complex. It has become a place of education, experience and enlightenment. It creatively blends the traditional stone art and architecture, Indian culture and civilization, ancient values and wisdom and the best of modern media and technology. Multiple layers of this complex expresses the strength of the mind, willpower of the human being, indomitable spirit, flowering kindness, fusion of scientific and medical talent, myriad colors of varied cultures and ultimately the power of knowledge. In essence, it is a dynamic complex with lively images. ... Akshardham has happened at the dawn of 21st century with the commitment and dedication of one million volunteers. What has happened today at Akshardham inspires me and gives me the confidence that we can do it? The realization of developed India is certainly possible before 2020 with the millions of ignited minds like you.[16]

”

The Prime Minister, Dr. Singh, followed by hoping that this would usher in religious tolerance,^[12] as well as praising the architecture of the complex, and making note of it becoming a future landmark of India,^[15] whilst L. K. Advani called it "the most unique monument of the world."^[12] Pramukh Swami Maharaj ended the night's speeches and expressed the wish that, "In this Akshardham, may one and all find inspiration to mould their lives and may there lives become divine. Such is my prayer to God."^[17]

[edit] Temple features

[edit] Central monument

The main building at the centre of the complex is a 141ft high, 316ft wide, and 370ft long monument^[18] to Bhagwan Swaminarayan. The central monument is made of pink sandstone and white marble,^[15] and is designed according to ancient Vedic texts known as the Vastu Shastra,^[18] whilst featuring a blend of architectural styles from across India. Within the monument, under the central dome, there is an 11ft high sacred image of Bhagwan Swaminarayan, and he is surrounded by the gurus of BAPS. Each image, or statue, is made of the 'paanch daatu' [five metals] as in line with Hindu tradition.^[19] The central monument is made of pink sandstone and white marble,^[15] and features no iron or steel.^[14] It's height and location on the banks of the Yamuna mean its presence is felt from afar, and its carved details of flora, fauna, dancers, musicians and deities covering its surfaces from top to bottom, leave most visitors in awe.

[edit] Hall of values

Named 'Sahajanand Pradarshan', features life-like robotics, dioramas, and incidents from Bhagwan Swaminarayan's life, portraying his message of peace, harmony, humility, service to others and devotion to God. The hall features the worlds smallest animatronic robot in the form of Ghanshyam Maharaj, the child form of Bhagwan Swaminarayan.

[edit] Giant screen film

Named 'Nilkanth Kalyan Yatra', it houses Delhi's first and only large format screen. The theatre shows a movie specially commissioned for the complex that shows the journey Bhagwan Swaminarayan made during his teenage years across the length and breadth of India. An international version of the film was released in 2005 at IMAX and Giant Screen cinemas worldwide under the title Mystic India.

[edit] Boat ride

Named Sanskruti Vihar, this 'ride' takes visitors on a journey through 10,000 years of Indian history in 10 minutes. Visitors sit in specially designed peacock boats that make their way around an artificial river, passing the worlds first university, chemistry laboratories, ancient hospitals and bazaars, finally ending with a message for the future of India.

[edit] Musical fountains

Known as the Yagnapurush Kund, it is India's largest step well. It features a very large series of steps down to a traditional 'yagna kund'. During the day, these steps provide rest for the visitors to the complex and at night, a musical fountain show representing the circle of life is played to an audience which is seated on the same steps.

[edit] Garden of India

Also known as the Bharat Upavan, this garden has lush manicured lawns, trees and shrubs, dotted with bronze sculptures of contributors to India's culture, including Children of India, Women of India, and Heroes of India.

[edit] Other Features

• The Yogi Hraday Kamal - This sunken garden, shaped like a lotus when viewed from above features large stones engraved with quotes from world luminaries ranging from Shakespeare and Martin Luther King, to Swami Vivekananda and Bhagwan Swaminarayan.
• Neelkanth Abishek - Devotees offer abhishek (ritual pouring of water) to the murti of Neelkanth Varni and express their reverence and prayers for spiritual upliftment and fulfillment of wishes.
• Narayan Sarovar - A lake that surrounds the main Akshardham monument. The lake contains holy waters from 151 rivers and lakes sanctified by Bhagwan Swaminarayan, including Mansarovar. Surrounding the Narayan Sarovar are 108 gaumukhs, symbolizing 108 names of God, from which holy water issues forth.
• Premvati Ahargruh - A vegetarian restaurant.
• AARSH Centre - Short for Akshardham Centre for Applied Research in Social Harmony, this centre, by study-action, will apply research of social harmony and more topics related to this.^[20]

[edit] Guinness World Record

On 17 December 2007, Michael Whitty, official world record adjudicator and member of the management committee of Guinness World Records, travelled especially to India to present a new world record to His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, spiritual leader of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha. The record presented was for Akshardham, as the World’s Largest Comprehensive Hindu Temple^[21][22] (see certificate here). The Certificate states,

“

BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham in New Delhi, India, is the world's largest comprehensive Hindu temple. It measures 356 ft. long, 316 ft. wide and 141 ft. high, covering an area of 86,342 sq. ft. The grand, ancient-style, ornately hand-carved stone temple has been built without structural steel within five years by 11,000 artisans and volunteers. His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, revered spiritual leader of BAPS, consecrated the temple on 6 November 2005. Akshardham showcases the essence of India's ageless art, borderless culture and timeless values."

”

Upon presentation of the award, Micheal Whitty stated,

“

It took us three months of research, poring over the extensive architectural plans of the Akshardham and also those of other temples of comparable size, visiting and inspecting the site, before we were convinced that Akshardham deserved the title...[23]

”

The award was given in Ahmedabad, Gujarat^[22], and since then signs have since been put up around the complex in both English and Hindi to show this achievement.^[24]

[edit] Dispute

Three temples (namely, Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai, Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple (Srirangam), and Arunachaleswarar Temple in Thiruvannamalai) located in Tamilnadu are larger than Akshardham temple. Trusties of the these temples have reported dispute against this Guinness World Record. Meenakshi temple is with the length of 850 feet and breath of 800 feet, much larger than Akshardham. Authorities at 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 also argued that construction area of the actual temple is more important than the land area. The area of the Srirangam temple is 156 acres.

[edit] Gandhinagar Akshardham

Main article: Akshardham (Gandhinagar)

Gandhinagar Akshardham is in the Western state of Gujarat, India, and is the sister complex to Delhi Akshardham. The Gujarat monument opened in 1992, and this Akshardham is similar to the one in Delhi. The monument has attracted many visitors, including the likes of Bill Clinton, who commented "Akshardham is not only a unique place in India but in the whole world. It is even more beautiful than what I had imagined. Taj Mahal is definitely beautiful, but this place, along with beauty, has a beautiful message."^[25]

[edit] References

[edit] See also

• BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha - the Hindu sect behind the building of the monument.
• Gandhinagar Akshardham - The sister monument in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, created before Delhi Akshardham.

[edit] External links

• Official Akshardham website
• BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha. The organization behind the creation of Akshardham.
• Mystic India. The large format film which shown at Akshardham.
• Guinness World Records - Adjudications - Worlds Largest Hindu Temple. Official thoughts on giving the world record.

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