Akshardham (Gandhinagar)

Akshardham Gandhinagar is one of the largest temples in the Indian state of Gujarat. The temple complex combines devotions, art, architecture, education, exhibitions and research at one place. The temple came to international attention when two heavily armed terrorists attacked it in September 2002. [ [http://www.swaminarayan.org/news/2002/09/akshardham/report.htm News - Temple Carnage: Terrorist Attack on Akshardham ] ]

Akshardham Gandhinagar is a predecessor to the Akshardham at Delhi, built by the same religious organisation, "Bochasanwasi Akshar-Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha" (BAPS) led by Pramukh Swami Maharaj. It was inaugurated by him on Monday, November 2, 1992 CE, during the centenary celebrations of Yogiji Maharaj. The complex is very popular among tourists visiting Gujarat.

Creator

Pramukh Swami Maharaj is the spiritual leader of BAPS Sanstha. He has created international cultural complexes like; the Akshardham in New Delhi India, the Akshardham in Gandhinagar India, The Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Neasden, London, Atlanta, Georgia, Houston, Texas, Chicago, Illinois, Los Angeles, California, Toronto, Canada, and Nairobi. Even at the age of 85 Pramukh Swami travels and meets people throughout the world to help those lead better lives. BAPS Sanstha is an international social, spiritual and charitable NGO affiliated with the United Nations. Through its 3300 centers, 800 monks, 55000 volunteers and over a million followers, BAPS performs over a 160 humanitarian activities. Akshardham is a part of BAPS’s culture and educational activities. Akshardham aims to promote Indian art, culture, and values. It's tagline is, "This is a place where art is ageless, culture is borderless, and values are timeless."

“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.” ~Shastri Narayanswarupdas (Pramukh Swami Maharaj) Inspirer and & Creator of Akshardham.

The monument

The monument enshrining the seven foot high, gold-leafed Murti of Lord Swaminarayan is the focal point of the complex. The majestic, intricately carved stone structure stands amid sprawling gardens. Six thousand tonnes of pink sandstone was used in building the monument which is regarded as an architectural masterpiece. The structure measures convert|108|ft|m in height, convert|240|ft|m in length and convert|131|ft|m in width. The colonnade around the monument is 1,751 feet (534 m) in length. [ [http://www.akshardham.com/gujarat/monument/index.htm Welcome to the main Monument of Akshardham ] ]

The garden

The garden which is named "Sahajanand Van" is a unique blend of contemplative garden and children's park. It encloses a single-piece marble sculpture of Lord Swaminarayan and includes cultural spots; rides and games for children; herbal garden; a lake and a waterfall. [ [http://www.akshardham.com/gujarat/garden/index.htm Garden(Sahajanand Vun) at Akshardham ] ]

The research center

The Akshardham Center for Applied Research in Social Harmony (AARSH) is a futuristic research center with a rich library, study stations and archives. Access to the library is confined to enlisted scholars. [ [http://www.akshardham.com/gujarat/researchcenter/index.htm Welcome to the Research Center at Akshardham ] ]

The exhibitions

Three permanent exhibition halls have been set up to educate the visitor on spiritual matters and on the BAPS movement. [ [http://www.akshardham.com/gujarat/exhibitions/index.htm Exhibitions at Akshardham ] ] These are:

Hall 1: Sahajanand. The life of Lord Swaminarayan is portrayed through imaginative settings and shows. The exhibition includes 'travel in time' through a video show; a fiber-optics cosmos; a miniature recreation of "Chhapiya" village; a 'Journey through India'; and three 'sound-n-light' shows.

Hall 2: Sat-Chit-Anand. This hall is used to present an IMAX large format film named 'Mystic India'.

Mystic India is the first large format epic on India. Chronicling the incredible journey of a child through the heart and soul of India, it rediscovers a land enriched with an amazing wealth of wisdom, culture and spirituality.

This film was produced by BAPS and directed by well known director of IMAX Movies, Keith Melton.

This hall once housed a spectacular 14-screen multimedia presentation, "Integrovision", to present an exposition of Vedic philosophy and of man's search for the eternal truth, through breath-taking imagery. Apart from the 14-screen multimedia presentation, the exhibition also once included a 'Tunnel of Mirrors,' a glass mosaic and dancing musical fountains.

Hall 3: Nityanand. Walk-through dioramas and fiberglass figures display the message of the Upanishads, Ramayana and Mahabharata. The exhibition includes an audio-animatronics show; a recreation of the Hastinapur palace from the Mahabharata; a recreation of an idyllic Gurukul nestled in the lap of nature; evotional compositions of saint-poets; and an exposiiton on 'Harmony of world religions'.

ee also

*Akshardham (Delhi)
*Akshardham Temple attack

References

External links

* [http://www.akshardham.com/gujarat Akshardham Gandhinagar Website]
* [http://www.akshardham.com Akshardham Delhi Website]
* [http://www.swaminarayan.org BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha] (Organization responsible for the creation of Akshardham)
* [http://www.bapscharities.org BAPS Charities] (Charitable arm of BAPS responsible for part of the complex)