History

Swaminarayan Akshardham in Gandhinagar, Gujarat is a large Hindu temple complex inspired by Yogiji Swami, the fourth spiritual successor of Lord Swaminarayan according to the denomination of Swaminarayan Hinduism, and created by Pramukh Swami, the fifth spiritual successor of Lord Swaminarayan according to the denomination of Swaminarayan Hinduism. Located in the capital of Gujarat, the complex was built over 13 years and is a tribute to Lord Swaminarayan and his life and teachings. At the center of the 23-acre complex is the Akshardham mandir, which is built from 6,000 metric tons of pink sandstone from Rajasthan. The complex’s name refers to the divine abode of Swaminarayan in the BAPS philosophy; followers of Swaminarayan believe that the jiva or soul goes to Akshardham after attaining moksha, or liberation. BAPS followers worship Swaminarayan as God almighty.
The focal point of the complex is the Akshardham Mandir, which measures 108 feet high, 131 feet wide and 240 feet long 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 foot-long stone beams, each weighing five tons, have been used as load-bearing support throughout the mandir. The mandir’s central chamber houses a seven-foot-tall, gold-leafed murti, or sacred image, of Swaminarayan, who is worshipped by followers as God. The murti rests upon a three-foot pedestal and weighs 1.2 tons. It is flanked by the murtis of the ideal devotee, Aksharbrahma Gunatitanand Swami and Aksharmukta Goplanand Swami, both in postures of loving devotion toward Swaminarayan. In each of the four corners of the mandir sits a life-sized marble murti of the lineages of gurus or successors of Swaminarayan revered by BAPS. The first floor of the mandir is known as the Vibhuti Mandapam and features lotus-shaped displays describing the spiritual character of Swaminarayan, while the basement of the mandir, called the Prasadi Mandapam, houses a historical display of various sacred relics from Swaminarayan’s life.
The complex houses an Abhishek Mandapam an area designated for all visitors to perform abhishek on the murti of Neelkanth Varni – a yogic form of Swaminarayan. The murti of Neelkanth Varni was consecrated in 2014 by Pramukh Swami and the Abhishek Mandapam was inaugurated on 14 December 2015 by Mahant Swami, the sixth spiritual successor of Lord Swaminarayan according to the denomination of Swaminarayan Hinduism. The abhishek ritual begins with the tying of a Kalava, a sacred hindu thread, on the visitor’s wrist along with the recitation of Hindu shlokas. Following the tying of the thread, the visitors bath the murti of Neelkanth Varni with a small pot of sanctified water. While the murti is bathed, visitors are encouraged to pray for their personal wishes.