Free essay on Akshardham – Unique Complex of India’s Culture

Swaminarayan Akshardham in New Delhi epitomises 10,000 years of Indian culture in all its breathtaking grandeur, beauty, wisdom and bliss. It brilliantly showcases the essence of India’s ancient architecture, traditions and timeless spiritual messages. It showcases Indian art, wisdom, heritage and values as a tribute to Bhagwan Swaminarayan (1781-1830 CE), a torchbearer of Indian culture. Inspired by Pramukh Swami Maharaj, and the colossal devotional efforts of 11,000 artisans and volunteers of Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), Akshardham was built in only five years.

The grand, ancient-styled complex, inaugurated in November 2005, was built to fulfill the wish of Brahmaswarup Yogiji Maharaj, the fourth successor in the spiritual hierarchy of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. Set in a vast 100-acre site, the Akshardham complex radiates peace, beauty, joy and divinity. Akshardham means the eternal, divine abode of the supreme God, the abode of eternal values and virtues of Akshar as defined in the Vedas and Upanishads where divine bhakti, purity and peace forever pervades. Through its mandir (temple), exhibitions, verdant gardens and other attractions, Swaminarayan Akshardham offers visitors a peek into the heritage of India in all its facets, insights and beauty.

The beautiful temple built without steel, consists of 234 ornately carved pillars, 9 ornate domes, 20 quadrangled shikhars, a spectacular Gajendra Pith (plinth of stone elephants) and 20,000 statues of India’s great sages, devotees, preachers and divine personalities. The temple is a fusion of pink stone (symbolizing bhakti in eternal bloom) and pure white marble (symbolizing absolute purity and eternal peace). Its height, width and length dimensions are 141.3 ft, 316 ft and 356 ft respectively.

In the inner sanctum of the temple lies the 11 feet high beautiful and divine murti of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and the murtis of Guru Parampara, namely, Aksharbrahma Gunatitanand Swami, Bhagatji Maharaj, Shastriji Maharaj, Yogiji Maharaj and Pramukh Swami Maharaj. One can also have the darshan of the deities of Sanatan Dharma: Shri Sita-Ram, Shri Radha-Krishna, Shri Lakshmi-Narayan, Shri Shiv-Parvati, avatars and twenty-four Chaturvyuh or Keshav murtis of God. The divine serenity in the garbhagruh (inner sanctum) is said to inspire peace and divine happiness.

While the inside of the main temple has 8 intricately carved mandapams, the external wall, known as the Mandovar, has 200 sculptured stone figures. The Mandovar with dimensions of 611ft x 31ft is the largest to be built in the last 800 years. It is made of eight different layers: Gajstar, Sinhstar, Vyalstar, Kumbhstar, Kalashstar, Gavakshstar, Jangha and Chhajja with a total of 4,287 carved stones. The Kumbhstar includes 48 ornately carved murtis of Lord Ganesha.

The Gajendra Pith is a unique, captivating feature of Swaminarayan Akshardham which pays tribute to elephants, symbolizing the entire animal kingdom. It is ornately carved in pink stone, stretching for 1,070 ft. and features stories and legends of elephants with nature, man and God. Every panel reflects the messages of social harmony, peace and spiritual faith. The Gajendra Pith, weighs 3,000 tons, and has 148 full- sized elephants, 42 birds and animals, 125 human sculptures and decorative stone backdrops of trees, creepers and royal palaces.

Narayan Sarovar, a sacred water lake, surrounds the main temple. The lake contains holy waters from 151 rivers and lakes sanctified by Bhagwan Swaminarayan, including Mansarovar. Surrounding the lake are 108 gaumukhs, symbolizing 108 names of God, from which holy water issues forth. Fully-bloomed lotus flowers in the lake impart an inspiring message of purity and detachment.

The Parikrama or circumambulatory path round the main temple premises is made of red stone. It consists of 1,152 pillars, 145 windows and 154 samvaran shikhars—amounting to a total of 53,956 stones. The two-tiered parikrama surrounds the temple like a beautiful decorative garland and has a length of 3,000 ft—the first of its kind in India.

A trip to Akshardham would be incomplete without visiting the exhibitions that portray the principle theme of sculpting one’s life for happiness, success and peace of mind. The exhibits portray the messages of ahimsa, Endeavour, prayer, morality, vegetarianism, family harmony, etc. through fifteen 3-D dioramas and presentations from the life of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. Exquisite settings and statues in each diorama are brought to life through robotics, fiber optics, light and sound effects, dialogues and music. The manner in which statues come to life through animatronics has the ability to transport the audience to 18th century India and provide them with a fresh experience.

Neelkanth Darshan, is an epic period film featuring an exciting and inspiring pilgrimage of Neelkanth Varni, a child-yogi, of 18th century India. This unique period film, shot in the icy peaks of the Himalayas in the north to the pristine shores of Kerala in the south, depicts India’s holy places, festivals and spiritual traditions on a giant screen (85′ x 65′ ft.) that is over six stories high. In fact, Neelkanth Darshan is the first ever wide format film filmed in India and produced by an Indian organization. A beautiful 27 ft. high bronze statue of Neelkanth Varni stands in a determined pose outside the large format film theatre.

Another interesting feature is a 12-minute spectacular boat-ride experience of the 10,000 year old India’s glorious heritage. Some of the highlights are sailing through Takshashila—the world’s first university and a journey through the labyrinth of ancient discoveries and inventions by the great rishi-scientists of India.

The Yagnapurush Kund, named after the founder of BAPS, is a fascinating combination of a Vedic yagna kund and a musical fountain. It is the world’s largest yagna kund measuring 300′ x 300′ with 2,870 steps and 108 small shrines. In its center lies an 8-pedaled lotus shaped yagna kund. At night the center comes to life with a colorful musical water fountain.

Bharat Upvan or the Garden of India exudes a magnificent natural and cultural ambience through its manicured lawns, lush gardens and wonderful bronze statues of the great role models of India. India’s child gems, valorous warriors, freedom fighters, national figures and great women personalities inspire visitors with values and pride for our great nation.

Truly, the Akshardham experience is an enlightening journey through India’s glorious art, values and contributions for the progress, happiness and harmony of mankind.

Swaminarayan Akshardham in New Delhi epitomises 10,000 years of Indian culture in all its breathtaking grandeur, beauty, wisdom and bliss. It brilliantly showcases the essence of India’s ancient architecture, traditions and timeless spiritual messages. It showcases Indian art, wisdom, heritage and values as a tribute to Bhagwan Swaminarayan (1781-1830 CE), a torchbearer of Indian culture. Inspired by Pramukh Swami Maharaj, and the colossal devotional efforts of 11,000 artisans and volunteers of Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), Akshardham was built in only five years.

The grand, ancient-styled complex, inaugurated in November 2005, was built to fulfill the wish of Brahmaswarup Yogiji Maharaj, the fourth successor in the spiritual hierarchy of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. Set in a vast 100-acre site, the Akshardham complex radiates peace, beauty, joy and divinity. Akshardham means the eternal, divine abode of the supreme God, the abode of eternal values and virtues of Akshar as defined in the Vedas and Upanishads where divine bhakti, purity and peace forever pervades. Through its mandir (temple), exhibitions, verdant gardens and other attractions, Swaminarayan Akshardham offers visitors a peek into the heritage of India in all its facets, insights and beauty.

The beautiful temple built without steel, consists of 234 ornately carved pillars, 9 ornate domes, 20 quadrangled shikhars, spectacular Gajendra Pith (plinth of stone elephants) and 20,000 statues of India’s great sages, devotees, preachers and divine personalities. The temple is a fusion of pink stone (symbolizing bhakti in eternal bloom) and pure white marble (symbolizing absolute purity and eternal peace). Its height, width and length dimensions are 141.3 ft, 316 ft and 356 ft respectively.

In the inner sanctum of the temple lies the 11 feet high beautiful and divine murti of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and the murtis of Guru Parampara, namely, Aksharbrahma Gunatitanand Swami, Bhagatji Maharaj, Shastriji Maharaj, Yogiji Maharaj and Pramukh Swami Maharaj. One can also have the darshan of the deities of Sanatan Dharma: Shri Sita-Ram, Shri Radha-Krishna, Shri Lakshmi-Narayan, Shri Shiv-Parvati, avatars and twenty-four Chaturvyuh or Keshav murtis of God. The divine serenity in the garbhagruh (inner sanctum) is said to inspire peace and divine happiness.

While the inside of the main temple has 8 intricately carved mandapams, the external wall, known as the Mandovar, has 200 sculptured stone figures. The Mandovar with dimensions of 611ft x 31ft is the largest to be built in the last 800 years. It is made of eight different layers: Gajstar, Sinhstar, Vyalstar, Kumbhstar, Kalashstar, Gavakshstar, Jangha and Chhajja with a total of 4,287 carved stones. The Kumbhstar includes 48 ornately carved murtis of Lord Ganesha.

The Gajendra Pith is a unique, captivating feature of Swaminarayan Akshardham which pays tribute to elephants, symbolizing the entire animal kingdom. It is ornately carved in pink stone, stretching for 1,070 ft. and features stories and legends of elephants with nature, man and God. Every panel reflects the messages of social harmony, peace and spiritual faith. The Gajendra Pith, weighs 3,000 tons, and has 148 full- sized elephants, 42 birds and animals, 125 human sculptures and decorative stone backdrops of trees, creepers and royal palaces.

Narayan Sarovar, a sacred water lake, surrounds the main temple. The lake contains holy waters from 151 rivers and lakes sanctified by Bhagwan Swaminarayan, including Mansarovar. Surrounding the lake are 108 gaumukhs, symbolizing 108 names of God, from which holy water issues forth. Fully-bloomed lotus flowers in the lake impart an inspiring message of purity and detachment.

The Parikrama or circumambulatory path round the main temple premises is made of red stone. It consists of 1,152 pillars, 145 windows and 154 samvaran shikhars—amounting to a total of 53,956 stones. The two-tiered parikrama surrounds the temple like a beautiful decorative garland and has a length of 3,000 ft—the first of its kind in India.

A trip to Akshardham would be incomplete without visiting the exhibitions that portray the principle theme of sculpting one’s life for happiness, success and peace of mind. The exhibits portray the messages of ahimsa, Endeavour, prayer, morality, vegetarianism, family harmony, etc. through fifteen 3-D dioramas and presentations from the life of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. Exquisite settings and statues in each diorama are brought to life through robotics, fiber optics, light and sound effects, dialogues and music. The manner in which statues come to life through animatronics has the ability to transport the audience to 18th century India and provide them with a fresh experience.

Neelkanth Darshan is an epic period film featuring an exciting and inspiring pilgrimage of Neelkanth Varni, a child-yogi, of 18th century India. This unique period film, shot in the icy peaks of the Himalayas in the north to the pristine shores of Kerala in the south, depicts India’s holy places, festivals and spiritual traditions on a giant screen (85′ x 65′ ft.) that is over six stories high. In fact, Neelkanth Darshan is the first ever wide format film filmed in India and produced by an Indian organization. A beautiful 27 ft. high bronze statue of Neelkanth Varni stands in a determined pose outside the large format film theatre.

Another interesting feature is a 12-minute spectacular boat-ride experience of the 10,000 year old India’s glorious heritage. Some of the highlights are sailing through Takshashila—the world’s first university and a journey through the labyrinth of ancient discoveries and inventions by the great rishi-scientists of India.

The Yagnapurush Kund, named after the founder of BAPS, is a fascinating combination of a Vedic yagna kund and a musical fountain. It is the world’s largest yagna kund measuring 300′ x 300′ with 2,870 steps and 108 small shrines. In its center lies an 8-pedaled lotus shaped yagna kund. At night the center comes to life with a colorful musical water fountain.

Bharat Upvan or the Garden of India exudes a magnificent natural and cultural ambience through its manicured lawns, lush gardens and wonderful bronze statues of the great role models of India. India’s child gems, valorous warriors, freedom fighters, national figures and great women personalities inspire visitors with values and pride for our great nation.

Truly, the Akshardham experience is an enlightening journey through India’s glorious art, values and contributions for the progress, happiness and harmony of mankind.