BAPS Akshardham Temple Gandhinagar

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Akshardham Temple: The Largest Hindu Complex In Gujarat

People visit renowned places such as Hawa Mahal in Jaipur, The Ridge of Shimla, Hill stations of Maharashtra when they are on tour. But have you ever thought about visiting baps akshardham temple gandhinagar, which is located in Gujarat? The Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple is one of the architectural marvels that you must visit. Let’s dive deeper and learn about Akshardham Temple.

Exploring Akshardham

The Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple, also known as Akshardham, means the divine abode of God. It is more than just a place to visit and roam around. It is a place of eternal devotion and enchanting peace. The temple is located in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. It is one of the largest Hindu temples dedicat to devotion, education, and spiritual growth.

History

When you look into the mystery of Akshardham Temple Ahmedabad, it is a tribute to Lord Swaminarayan, who is said to be the manifestation of God. The Akshardham Temple Gandhinagar was inspir by the sage Yogiji Maharaj (1892-1971), also know as the fourth successor of Lord Swaminarayan, and the temple was built by the sage Pramukh Swami Maharaj (1921-2016). He was one of the BAPS community members formed in 1907. The Akshardham Temple complex took about 13 years to complete and was inaugurat on October 30th, 1992, by Pramukh Swami Maharaj.

Must Read: Swaminarayan Mandir Pune

Architecture

The architecture of Akshardham Temple Ahmedabad portrays meaningful and devotional messages of Hindu traditions. The temple comprises 6000 metric tonnes of pink sandstone imported from Rajasthan. With a height of 108 feet, the Akshardham Temple Ahmedabad has 97 carved pillars, 17 domes, 8 balconies, 220 stone beams, and more than 250 sculpted figurines that reflect the divine teachings of Hindu mythology. The temple has more than 200 Hindu idols that represent spiritual growth.

Garbhagriha

The biggest attraction of this Akshardham Temple Ahmedabad is the gold-plated idol of Swaminarayan, which is seven feet tall and placed in a Garbhagriha, or the inner sanctum of the complex. With the idol of Lord Swaminarayan, the garbhagriha is also home to his successors, including Gunatitanand Swami, Bhagatji Maharaj, Shastriji Maharaj, Yogiji Maharaj, Pramukh Swami Maharaj, and Mahant Swami Maharaj and said to be the God’s eternal servant. If you enter the garbhagriha, you will also find the Hindu deities such as Lord Rama and Sita, Lord Krishna and Radha, Goddess Laxmi and Lord Narayana, and Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.

Swaminarayan Darshan

You will go through Lord Swaminarayan’s journey when you enter the complex. You will learn about his 49 years of journey and his social, political, and spiritual work from the 18th century from 1781 to 1830 CE. This path is known as Swaminarayan Darshan.

Preserving Through Prasadi Mandapam

As we know, Lord Swaminarayana is a manifestation of God. The devotees of this complex have carefully preserved the objects he used in his life and handed them over from one generation to the next. These objects and articles are carefully placed in Prasadi Mandapam for display. The relics kept in Prasadi Mandapam are believed to have immense spiritual power.

Abhishek Mandapam

Inside the complex of Akshardham Temple Ahmedabad , you will also find the Abhishek Mandapam. Which was inaugurated on December 14th, 2015, by Mahant Swami Maharaj, one of Lord Swaminarayan’s successors. Abhishek Mandapam is where devotees go through the ritual of bathing a deity, believing they fulfill their prayers. Meanwhile, Abhishek, the devotee, pours water and chants prayers and mantras. The ritual of Abhishek starts with tying thread on the wrist of the devotee, follow by chanting mantras and pouring the idol of Neelkanth Maharaj. Who is said to be the yogic form of Lord Swaminarayan.

The exhibition of Akshardham Gandhinagar

The exhibition has 4 parts.

1. Neelkanth and Sahajanand Darshan – Hall of value: 45 minutes.

2. Mystic India: 45 minutes – If anyone asks you how to describe an India shortly or the perfect way to show what India is. This film is a must-see. This is the film which gives pride to every Indian in Indian culture. Do not miss this film if you love India or want to experience Indian culture and religion.

3. Premanand Hall: 30 minutes.

4. Sant Param Hitkari: 15 minutes.

Fees of Exhibition

Adults (Age 11+): ₹60

Children (Age 3-11): 40

Children (Below Age 3): Free

Timing of Exhibition

10:30 am to 6:30 pm.

Ticket counters close at 6:30 pm.

Total Duration 2:15 Hrs to 3:00 Hrs

Exhibitions of Akshardham Temple

The exhibition of Akshardham Temple is widely divided into five halls: 1. Neelkanth 2.Sahajanand, 3. Mystic India, 4. Premanand, and 5. Sant Param Hitkari. With its own different style. The information provided in this exhibition is a combination of art, science, different Hindu cultures, and spirituality. These combinations will directly take you on the journey of ancient India. The exhibition will teach you about love, nonviolence, fearlessness, service to society, compassion, honesty, and peace. It has a 3D diorama, light and sound shows, scenic representations, and short videos.

The Water Show

Akshardham’s Musical fountains timings

Closed on Monday

7:00 or 7:30 PM (Tuesday to Friday)

7:00 or 7:30 PM and 8:30 PM (Saturday and Sunday)

Akshardham’s Musical fountains fees

Adults (Age 11+): ₹100

Children (Age 3-11): 70

Children (Below Age 3): Free

Duration: 45 Mins

Wait! Are you leaving after the exhibition? Then, you will miss one of the best experiences of this temple. As the sun goes down, get out of the complex, grab your seat in an outdoor amphitheater, and immerse yourself in the Sat-Chit-Anand Water Show. The water show presentation is about 45 minutes. Here, you will be first introduced to India’s spiritual glory. After the introduction, you will learn about the protagonist “Nachiket” who was punish by his father and sent to the “God of Death-Yamraj” and how Nachiket impresses Yamraj and what he gets in return is the most crucial part of this story.

Premvati Bhojnalaya (restaurants)

Khichdi is recently had in news for declaring India’s national food. Padmavati’s khichdi is very famous. Local people do not leave Akshardham without eating it. Padmavati offers many other vegetar- ian foods/snacks apart from khichdi. It is located inside the Akshardham premises.

Recently, Premvati Bhojnalaya opened in the BAPS temple near Mansi Circle Ahmedabad offering Swaminarayan pure foods.

Best Time To Visit Akshardham Temple

The best time to visit the complex is from October to March, and if possible, try to see the temple in cooler months. Since the climate during the above month is comfortable and pleasant, you can easily explore the majestic beauty of Gandhinagar.

Timings of Akshardham Temple

The Timings of Akshardham temple is schedul to start at 10:00 am and 7:30 pm on Tuesday and Saturday. There are no entry fees Akshardham Temple. However, you must buy tickets to places such as exhibitions, Abhishek Mandapam, etc.

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Conclusion

Visiting baps akshardham temple gandhinagar in Gujarat promises an immersive experience steeped in spirituality, history, and architectural grandeur. Dedicated to Lord Swaminarayan, this magnificent complex stands as a testament to devotion and peace. The temple’s intricate architecture, adorned with pink sandstone and ornate carvings, captivates visitors, while its inner sanctum houses revered deities and relics. Beyond the temple, the exhibitions offer a journey through Indian culture and spirituality, complemented by the mesmerizing water show. Indulging in Padmavati’s khichdi adds a flavorful touch to the visit, highlighting local culinary delights. With its rich offerings and serene ambiance, Akshardham Temple beckons travelers seeking solace and cultural enrichment. Whether delving into history, indulging in spirituality, or marveling at architectural brilliance, a visit to Akshardham Temple is an experience not to be missed.