AKSHARDHAM || BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha || Delhi

Credits to:- Akshardham, Gandhinagar ( BAPS Swaminarayan )
His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj

WHAT IS AKSHARDHAM
'Akshardham' means the divine abode of God. It is hailed as an eternal place of devotion, purity and peace. Swaminarayan #Akshardham at New #Delhi is a #Mandir – an abode of God, a house of worship, and a spiritual and cultural campus dedicated to devotion, learning and harmony. Timeless Hindu spiritual messages, vibrant devotional traditions and ancient architecture all are echoed in its art and architecture. The mandir is a humble tribute to Bhagwan Swaminarayan (1781- 1830). The traditionally-styled complex was inaugurated on 6 November 2005 with the blessings of HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj and through the devoted efforts of skilled artisans and volunteers.

SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE
Each element of Akshardham echoes with spirituality – the #Mandir, the #Exhibitions and even the #Gardens.
The Akshardham mandir has over two hundred murtis, representing many of the spiritual stalwarts over many millennia. The spiritual premise of Akshardham is that each soul is potentially divine. Whether we are serving the family, the country our neighbours or all living beings the world over, each service can help one move towards divinity. Each prayer is a call towards improving oneself and moving closer to God.

MANDIR
The inner sanctum or garbhagruh of the Akshardham mandir is home to Bhagwan Swaminarayan and his divine succession of gurus. The mandir is an effort to offer a home to God that honours. His glory and divinity –- a timeless, beautiful and peaceful home for God here on Earth. It is a temporal abode of God and the devotion, values and culture He inspires.
Architecturally, the mandir is a homage to traditional Indian Hindu architecture. It is designed with an eye to The ancient and middle-aged medieval Indian treatises on architectural science, - the Shilpa shastras, have guided the mandir’s design and construction from its distinctive style of carving and its proportions to its avoidance of.
Accordingly, the mandir is made without the use of ferrous metal in construction.

MANDAPAMS
The interior of the Akshardham mandir can be divided into nine mandapams or thematic spaces. These nine mandapams are each filled with intricately carved murtis and pillars and capped by unique domes and ceilings. Travelling through these mandapams, one meets renowned devotees, great avatars and rejoicing celestial beings. The ornate designs and intricate carvings of the mandapams inspire reflection of God’s inconceivable beauty and the beauty he inspires in creation.

MANDOVAR
The external facade of a traditional stone temple is known as a mandovar. Swaminarayan Akshardham's mandovar is the largest, most intricately carved mandovar built in India in the last eight hundred years. It is 25 feet high, 611 feet long and features 200 sculptured stone figures.

NARAYAN PEETH
It is an ancient Hindu tradition to perform pradakshinas or circumambulations as a sign of respect and prayers. The faithful walk clockwise around mandirs to reinforce the belief that God should be the centre of one’s life. At the Akshardham mandir, the path for performing these circumambulations is embellished with three 60 feet long bronze relief panels.

ABHISHEK MANDAP
Participate in a prayer for peace and for the fulfilment of your wishes. Be part of a spiritual ritual and offer holy water to Neelkanth - the teenage-yogi form of Bhagwan Swaminarayan.

THEMATIC GARDENS
A visit to Swaminarayan Akshardham’s two thematic gardens is a conversation with nature, history and culture. Learn about inspiring children, men and women from Indian history at the Bharat Upvan. Imbibe the wisdom of great minds from around the world at the Yogihriday Kamal.

GAJENDRA PEETH
A mandir stands, traditionally and symbolically, on the shoulders of elephants. In a uniquely creative adaptation, the elephants at the base of Swaminarayan Akshardham are not just standing still. The Gajendra Peeth or Elephant Plinth presents stories and legends of elephants with nature, with humans and with God. This depiction of elephants is to honour these grand yet gentle animals and also share messages of peace, beauty and gentleness.

EXHIBITIONS
Artistically mesmerizing, scientifically stunning, culturally moving, and spiritually elevating, the exhibitions create amazing environments capable of transporting viewers to ancient India. The exhibitions are comprised of three parts: Sahajanand Darshan – Hall of Values; Neelkanth Darshan – Large Format Film; Sanskruti Darshan – Cultural Boat Ride.

WATER SHOW
Sahaj Anand - A breathtaking spiritual multimedia water show. Multi-colour lasers, video projects, underwater flames, water jets and surround sound in symphony with lights and live actors produce a captivating and inspiring presentation of an important story from the Kena Upanishad.