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Akshardham is a Hindu temple complex. It
was consecrated in November 2005 by Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the spiritual leader
of BAPS (the organization responsible for the creation of Akshardham)
and ceremoniously dedicated to the nation by the President and the Prime
Minister of India. Sitting on the banks of the Yamuna River, the complex
features a large monument, crafted entirely of stone, permanent exhibitions on
Bhagwan Swaminarayan and Hinduism, an IMAX, musical fountain, and large
landscaped gardens.
The main building at the centre of the
complex is a 141-foot-high monument dedicated to Bhagwan Swaminarayan. Designed
according to ancient Vedic texts known as the Sthapatya-Shastra, it features a
blend of architectural styles from across India. Within the monument, under the
central dome, there is an 11-foot-high gilded image of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. He
is surrounded by the gurus of the sect. The building itself is constructed
entirely from Rajasthani pink sandstone and Italian Carrara marble, and
features no steel or concrete. Its 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.
On 17 December, 2007, Michael Whitty,
official world record adjudicator and member of the management committee of
Guinness World Records, traveled 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.
The
Main features of the Temple are:-
-Sahajanand
Pradarshan-
is the first Hall in the complex which has life size robots, dioramas, and
incidents from Bhagwan Swaminarayan's life.
Nilkanth
Kalyan Yatra
- houses a large format screen. Here, a movie, specially commissioned for the
complex, shows the journey of Bhagwan Swaminarayan throughout India.
-Sanskruti
Vihar -
takes visitors on a journey through 10,000 years of Indian history in 10
minutes. Visitors are seated in specially designed peacock boats that make
their way around an artificial river.
The
Yagnapurush Kund
- is India's largest step well. It descends down, via a series of steps, to a
traditional 'yagna kund'. At night, a musical fountain show, representing the
circle of life, is played for an audience, seated on the same steps.
The
Bharat Upavan - or
'Garden of India', has sprawling lawns, varied trees and shrubs, dotted with
bronze sculptures of the contributors to India's culture.
Other Features-
-Nilkanth Abishek Mandapam
-Narayan Sarovar
-AARSH Centre
-Premvati Ahargruh
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